Letters to the Editor
Submit your letter to the editor for publication. The letter must be less than 250 words. We limit publishing letters to local authors and one published letter every six weeks. Letters must be signed by an individual (not a group of people) and include your name, address and phone number for verification purposes. We will only publish your name and city. Email letter to opinion@bakersfield.com.
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They're a letdown
I am disappointed with recent actions by both of our congressmen that represent Kern County. Take Kevin McCarthy. First he supports questionable candidates for Congress, just because they happen to be registered a Republican. But they are nowhere close to the Republican platform he ceremoniously oversaw. Congressman Mike Pence from Indiana, who is number four in the House Republican leadership, didn't back Dee Dee in New York's 23rd District, so why did Kevin? He'll support questionable people out of our area, but not Jim Costa's Republican opponent in 2008.
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Pedestrian safety issue has income component
Thank you for your Nov. 16 article, "Danger in the Streets," highlighting the concerns of pedestrian safety throughout Kern County. Your article did a good job of spotlighting a big problem in Kern County. Unfortunately, a large number of Kern residents live in both incorporated and unincorporated areas where sidewalks, crosswalks and walkable paths are not accessible.
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Try them on U.S. soil
Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, we have called for the capture and prosecution of those responsible. The announcement that the trials will be held in New York should have been greeted as a chance to have justice prevail as well as offer some sense of closure to this event.
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Go for a ride along
I would like to comment on the Nov. 4 letter, "Privatize firefighting." Being a former private-industry firefighter, I might have a little more knowledge on the subject than the earlier writer.
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Present all the facts
This is in response to the Nov. 3 article, "Pitch to tax oil production back again ... with a twist."
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Punditocracy needs to ease up on Barack's bow
Critics and pundits, for the most part representing the ever-vocal and civil discourse-challenged members of the hard right, are having a field day on the occasion of President Obama having bowed to Japanese Emperor Akihito during his recent visit to Japan. Apparently, the "punditocracy" (thank you Stephanie Griffith, of the French news agency AFP) has come up with some sort of unofficial foreign relations protocol which they haven't had the courtesy of sharing with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, nor her boss, President Obama.
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Will teach for food
"I will teach for food." That is the title of a book I conceived of several years ago while I was working at a ranch picking up stool from horses and dogs.
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Learn to share path
This is in response to a previous letter writer ("It's called a bike path," Nov. 4), stating the only people who should be able to use the bike path are cyclists. The letter writer is self-centered.
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Firefighter joke
In light of the recent stories and letters about firefighter pay and benefits, I wish to share an old joke my father, a firefighter, told me many moons ago.
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Some Oildale updates
Congratulations to The Californian for all the coverage given to Oildale in the Eye Section of the Nov. 1 issue.
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Fight against proposed demolition facility in NW
I applaud the Kern County Board of Supervisors for listening and understanding the concerns of the residents opposed to the startup of a concrete and demolition waste material collection, recovery, and recycling facility in the northwest area of Bakersfield.
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Rude service happens
This is in response to Nov. 5 letter, "Bias in our midst." If an armed robber is successful in robbing a bank and is able to escape capture, should that person, once caught, be granted the right to keep the money and not be prosecuted for the crime? Of course not!
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Using furlough time
Being a bi-vocational pastor, I know the importance of time management in getting things done.
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Why conserve?
According to the Oct. 23 edition of The Bakersfield Californian, "PG&E hopes to rebalance rates."
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KHS boss's pay raise well-deserved
After reading The Californian's Nov. 13 article on Kern Health Systems CEO's pay raise ("What recession? Agency CEO gets fat raise), I thought good for her.
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Install solar panels
We need solar panels on all new government buildings and existing ones where possible. This would provide jobs, and pay back big.
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Competitive with what?
The article regarding Carol Sorrell, CEO of Kern Health Systems, is a great example of why the politicians of this state need to get the boot. There is zero accountability once the funds are earmarked.
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It's drivers not the road
I write in response to the Nov. 1 letter about Highway 46, "The road is the problem." The author was infuriated by the statement made by a highway patrolman, that the accident was a consequence of "inappropriate driving." I couldn't agree more. The "infuriating" statement was "dead-on." Blaming the road or the condition of the road for an accident makes about as much sense as blaming the Kern River for the many drownings that have occurred there over the years. The implications of nonsense thinking is to suggest that a river or, in this case, a road, has the capacity for intent. The drownings in the river and the accidents on the roads are examples of abject irresponsibility.
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Heaven help us
Has the whole world gone nuts? Honoring gays and gay rights. Can't cut the tails off of cows. How about dogs? Is this what politics and politicians are all about -- being stupid?
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Pay raise wrong
In reference to the $13,000 raise given to Carol Sorrell, CEO of Kern Health Systems, this is a tiny version of what is going on all over California. It is nothing new. Now we know why this state is a mess and failing financially.
