Shame on DA for not letting a jury decide on punishing Dillard

In response to the Sept. 30 article, “No charges to be filed in Dillard case,” this is a true breakdown of our justice system. District Attorney Jon Alexander states that Paul Dillard “did what most parents would have done.”

Right, every parent would go to great lengths, as Mr. Dillard was accused of doing, to help their adult child who is accused of having sexual relations with minors hide from the police.

Mr. Dillard, being a former law enforcement officer, should have turned his son in from the start. He shouldn’t have hidden him in a corner and talked him into turning himself in, like Mr. Alexander states.

SB48 widely misunderstood, won’t teach kids lewd content

I have read a lot about SB48, and felt compelled to write. Those that are against SB48 seem to be under the impression that this bill will make it a requirement for teachers to educate students about sex specifically related to gay, lesbian or transgender citizens.

However, if you actually read the bill, that is not the intent at all:

“Existing law requires instruction in social sciences to include a study of the role and contributions of both men and women to the development of California and the United States. This bill would require instruction in social sciences to also include a study of the role and contributions of Native Americans, African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, European Americans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans, and other ethnic and cultural groups, to the development of California and the United States.”

New septic tank pumpings are a good news/bad news situation

In the Sept. 22 newspaper, I read that the city is planning to accept septic tank pumpings at the new wastewater treatment plant. This is a good news/bad news situation.

The good news is it will be a service to that part of the community that relies on septic tanks. It will also generate some revenue for the city, although I question whether it will pay for itself in only two years.

The bad news is that the new $42 million treatment plant was not designed to handle the additional solids loading! Let me explain.

Like pie-making, revitalization of downtown has myriad recipes

Fall is in the air, bringing with it thoughts of cozy fires, football games and fall leaves. For me fall means apple pie and nostalgia for simpler times.

I have become a bit obsessed with baking the perfect pie this year, even posting about it on Facebook. I have been Googling recipes, searching old cookbooks and my grandmother’s recipe box, and I’ve started to ask everyone I know for their tips and tricks to create the perfect crust.

It doesn’t matter if historically relevant figures were gay/lesbian

In response to Barry Wendell’s Sept. 21 letter, “Students need to learn about the contributions of gays and lesbians,” honestly, what difference does it make what your sexuality is or isn’t and why on earth do we have to teach it to children in school.

“Now class, the man who invented clear steel was a highly educated physicist and a genius. Oh, and our government requires that I tell you that he is gay.”

Now, seriously, can someone please explain to me why that little snippet of sexual information would be important to or appropriate for kids or the public for that matter? You can’t because it doesn’t matter.

Certain individuals are making it a point to force you to know and to bring about “awareness” and “cultural diversity.” How many ways can we, as Americans, be so divisive and separate each other from one another?

Your sexual preference should only matter if you were about to ask someone on a date. Other than that, most people don’t really care. Think about it, when is the last time you met someone new at a business meeting or function and shook hands with someone that said, “Hi, I’m Dave and I’m gay.” Or, “Hi, I’m a lesbian and oh, my name is Sue.”

This country is headed down the toilet and California is one step ahead of the country. I have never felt the need to organize a heterosexual pride parade but this hand basket we are all riding downhill is picking up speed and I simply don’t know how to stop it.

Donna Eller

Crescent City

Congress totally out of touch with plight of the unemployed

Normally, any letter that I have written to the editor has been complimentary to the subject. Not this time.

I’m inspired by the editorial cartoon of Sept. 15 in The Daily Triplicate, which pictured a real truth. The people that we have elected to Congress, both Senate and representatives, are totally out of touch with the plight of those caught up in the unemployment dilemma that faces our nation. They sit in session jawing about it but do nothing. Meanwhile, our citizens are losing their homes, are having to accept charity, or maybe worse.

Once these Congress people are in office, they are almost untouchable. Salaries and perks are their main objectives.

Christian woman supports her LBGT brothers and sisters

Regarding the Sept 17 letter about SB48, “Time to stand up against requiring teaching about gays in history,” first, it is putting down our LGBT (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered) community (and yes we do have many here in Del Norte). It reads in one line, “I don’t mean to offend” and then in another line starts talking about “the diseases.”

What diseases?  Does the LGBT community carry different diseases? Do we revert back to 1950s and build them separate bathrooms and so on? Those “diseases” can happen to anyone who is sexually promiscuous.  Anyone can catch HIV/AIDS, not just from being homosexual.

I feel that those complaining about SB48 have not really read the bill itself.  In a nutshell:

Gay history is a part of who we are and should be taught

What is it about having gay history taught in schools that bothers people so much? (“Time to stand up against requiring teaching about gays in history, Sept. 17.”)

This is not some conspiracy to try to turn all of our children and grandchildren into homosexuals. That’s not how it works!

Are people concerned that if we take “a look back” at gay history we will become pillars of salt? How can people point a finger at someone and say that they will face fire and brimstone?

Chilldren can be whatever they want, regardless of their gender

In regards to “Gender restrictions for youth sports a problem in Del Norte,” Sept. 15, I agree with letter-writer Kelly Lynch.

I too have girls who want to ride the bulls during the fair and want to play football. If we lived in a big city they would be able to play whatever sport they want. My oldest was even in boxing in Fresno County.

Their size doesn’t matter, if they want to do something we should help them. We teach our children that they can be or do whatever they want, no matter what gender, and if they are not allowed to it is against their constitutional rights and against the law to be prejudiced against one gender.

Astonished at lack of effort to prevent future harbor damage

With millions of dollars being spent to restore the harbor boat basin, over and over again, I am astonished that no apparent effort is going into a prevention of future damage.

Example: A well planned and designed surge gate installed at the entrance to the boat basin, one section or two, electrically, hydraulically or manually closed, vertically “floating” sections resting on the bottom and tested monthly, would keep the entrance clear of sand/mud and prevent any heavy surge from impacting the boat basin.

The goal would be to slow the surge, not a water-proof barrier. Seems as if locals could design one, then engineer it and seek funds to build it.

A slow rise of water in the basin would be harmless. Prevention is far better than expensive cures!

Bob Douglas

Smith River