LETTERS

Home Improvement

I am commenting on your article on the current violence in Tijuana and Mexico (“Mommy, Why Are They Shooting at Us Again?” Cover Story, April 2). Such comments by the Baja governor and Mexican citizens blaming the United States are plain ignorant. Mexico hasn’t evolved much in the way of government, with corruption on every level, police and politicians. Mexican citizens are killing and kidnapping their own people, with the help of corrupt officials. Try fixing your own screwed-up country before blaming the U.S.

Name Withheld
by Request

Death By Pen

I would like to invite you to Rosarito Beach to see that all you write about us is not so true (“Mommy, Why Are They Shooting at Us Again?” Cover Story, April 2). Of course we do have problems, maybe not as many as San Diego or L.A. or anywhere in the USA or the world. We do love our tourist people and our visitors. There are so many things we can offer for you to spend a nice day in Baja, just to relax and enjoy.

With your pen you are killing business in México, and it’s not fair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don’t think you’re much better than the people that are drug dealing.

Please check first what you are saying, and then just stopppppp your bad writing.

Verónica
via email

Leaning Lame Leaders

The article “Mommy, Why Are They Shooting at Us Again?” (Cover Story, April 2) was yet another great read about the reality of Mexico today. Gone are the days when you would go down there for cheap shopping, tacos, and beer. The horrors told in this article should be the wake-up call to all Americans. If you don’t want bodies with their tongues cut out left in front of your child’s elementary school, then secure the border now!!! Shut it down completely with our military. Think about it — that should at least prevent the violence from pouring into the U.S. like it has been. It would severely cut back on the drugs pouring in. And if you believe the angle of 90 percent (although other statistics indicate it’s only 17 percent) of guns flowing down south from the U.S., it would stop that up too.

But somehow I think our lame leaders aren’t leaning that way. It seems they want a global society, currency, and culture. Our Department of Homeland Insecurity even stopped raids of illegal-alien workplaces. Now what message are we sending? America is weak and defenseless. If you make it here, you are going to be set with all the free stuff you can handle; come raid us. Did you hear about the recent raid in Washington State netting 28 illegals working for a company? They were given work visas instead of being deported. In the meantime, over 150 Americans applied for their vacancies. That’s the change I’m looking for!!

I feel sorry for the law-abiding Mexicans just trying to make a living down there. I really do. I agree with Governor Millan; Mexicans shouldn’t give in to the cartels. Mexicans should be up in arms about their corrupt government and the cartels’ power and work toward changing things for the better. Again, kick out the illegal aliens, put the Marines on the border and the Navy to sea. Don’t let anything cross either way. This problem solved in the US of A…mostly.

D.S.
via email

Word Twister

As vice president of marketing at Valley View Casino, I often receive calls from reporters asking for an interview or requesting information regarding the casino industry or our ancillary amenities such as restaurants and entertainment. More often than not, we will grant the reporters an interview or provide them with a quote that helps them with their article (“Blurt,” April 2).

In every industry there are smart, honest people that want to do the right and fair thing; and then there are writers like Ken Leighton, who calls us with a loaded question and we can tell that no matter what we say, that when it’s communicated to the public we will not be portrayed fairly or equally and our reply will be misrepresented. It’s in these cases that we opt not to return calls or we simply reply with a “no comment.”

So for the record, let’s consider the following: we received a call from Ken Leighton with this message: “Ken Leighton from the Reader is writing an article and wants to know why someone would want to pay to see Creedence Clearwater Revisited when they can see them for free at the county fair.” This is clearly a no-win question and not even worthy of a conversation. However, we still wanted to be fair. So we called a music industry leader and icon in San Diego who told us not to reply as Leighton has a reputation for twisting words to benefit his story. That was all the confirmation we needed, and Leighton was placed on our “do not reply” list.

So now let’s address his question in a format I know won’t be changed: first, let me say I love the fair and it’s a great form of entertainment, but it’s a very different form of entertainment than an evening at Valley View Casino. Let’s also make it clear that it is not free to go to the fair. There is a ticket price just like there is at Disneyland. Once you pay, some of the attractions and stage entertainment are included, but it is not free! So, if you like watching a concert (again, after paying the entry fee) in the atmosphere of a fair, as you’re being circled by kids on wheeled tennis shoes while you eat your funnel cake, then seeing CCR at the fair is the right place for you. But if you’d rather enjoy an evening out at a 21-plus venue, where you’re guaranteed the seat you bought, with unrivaled acoustics, while enjoying gourmet food and beverage service, then have a great night full of fun and action inside the casino, then Valley View Casino should be your choice.

Oh, and by the way, I’ve been involved with concerts and music most of my life, and Creedence Clearwater Revisited is one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen and that’s why they’re opening our concert season again!

In the spirit of fairness,

Ric Militi

A Cache Of “Crasher”s

What happened to the “Crasher” column this week? Was he too hungover to write it? I thought that guy was like Prince and had a studio full of articles just in case something like this happened.

Nacho Daddy

Mr. Continuing Ed

Yes, you can still find that some things are free! A little correction to the information on computer classes provided by Nameless in University City (Letters, April 2). The school offering the best free classes is called Continuing Ed (not San Diego senior adult school, as implied in Letters). Continuing Ed is associated with the San Diego Community College District. What you should do is check out their catalogue, which lists everything you always wanted to know but were afraid to ask about classes. It is well distributed at the beginning of each term (follows the regular school term — spring, summer, and fall). Libraries always have the catalogues. I receive mine delivered to my address as “Residential Customer.”

Another correction: The computer classes are not really “full of people in their 60s and 70s — a few people in their 40s, 30s, and stuff (?).” They are geared to people looking for jobs; therefore 20s to 40s, average, with a sprinkle of seniors. I attend at the Mid-City campus in City Heights and also at Aero Drive, which has a different format (and an older crowd, if you’re trying to stick to your age group). Yes, it is suggested to arrive, say, about 30 minutes early and get in line, even for evening classes. But I believe everyone gets in. I believe Midway has the same sort of schedule as Aero. Just go to sdce.edu and get the lowdown. There are also telephone numbers for all locations.

There are also classes in arts and crafts, business careers, English classes, foods and nutrition, music, physical education, and lots more. And they need the students to keep the classes going. After all, the price is right!

Naida
University Heights

Respectfully Incorrect

Re “My Gender Is Bunny,” Cover Story, March 26.

Is it possible to use intentionally incorrect pronouns — for the entire length of an article — with “respect”?

A. Southworth
via email

The Other Brother

In last week’s Reader, a story on Branford Marsalis (“Of Note,” March 26) said his brother Wynton toured with Sting and was part of his band. Obviously Brandon was the one who did that.

Tony Cooper

The mistake was due to an editing error. — Editor

Walk With 3000 Souls

In response to Matthew Lickona’s “Sheep and Goats” article regarding Pastors Sergio and Georgina De La Mora of Cornerstone Church of San Diego (January 29).

With all due respect, it was apparent that his purpose to visit Cornerstone was not to receive God’s word but simply to write this article, an article that lacked meaning and insight, which this church lacks none of. His piece, of about 95 percent quotes, was neither informative nor descriptive of the true purpose of my church. Our pastors and church leaders have made it their mission to turn the hearts of families to God, to develop our God-given potential, and to advance in the kingdom of God. If we lack tradition, we sure have made up for it in creative and inspirational ways to spread the true message of a church. It’s never too late to start new traditions.

So I invite Mr. Lickona to return to Cornerstone with a different purpose. Come with an open mind and heart, remembering those dark valleys he has walked through in his life and instead of drudging through them how great it would have been to be carried through them. I hope that on his next visit he will see and experience the passion of our church from our energetic, Spirit-filled pastor to the 3000 souls enthusiastically ready to receive their spiritual gift.

Sophia Martinez
Via email

Matthew Lickona responds: You are correct in thinking that my purpose in attending Cornerstone was to gather material for the article — that’s my job. I made this clear to Pastor De La Mora when we spoke.

You are also correct about the content of my article — it is indeed mostly quotes. I try to let the people involved speak for themselves. I am sorry you thought the article lacked insight and meaning and that it was neither informative nor descriptive with regard to your church’s true purpose. In fairness, I mostly limit myself to trying to give the reader a sense of what it was like to worship in a particular church on the particular day I visited, as opposed to opining about this or that church’s true purpose. My experience of a given church is quite limited, and I try not to stray beyond those limits.

I made no comment as to whether or not Cornerstone lacked traditions.