LETTERS
11/25/2009
Time to clean up
There was a time when all the members of the Altadena Town Council served because they had a genuine interest in what was best for the residents of Altadena. Unfortunately, over the last 10 years or so, the Town Council became infected with a number of people who participated to further their personal agendas.
Over the last year, the candidate elected to Census Tract 4602 had to battle to keep his seat, even though he got the majority of votes. Seems like certain people on the Town Council wanted their selection to win, regardless of what the census tract wanted. This year, Herbert Simmons, elected with 153 votes, is facing the same battle.
When Steve Lamb stepped down, it left very few council people that were really interested in the welfare of the community. Over the last decade, the Town Council has done a dismal job of keeping the community informed and involving the community in decisions that will affect them.
Sadly, when someone does win a seat and is interested in outreach to the community, some of the old guard works feverishly to remove him.
As a community, I certainly hope that you will step forward and clean up the council. It is really important that we get involved.
~CAMILLE DUDLEY, ALTADENA
Just outrageous
The Altadena Town Council is out of control. Ousting newly elected Town Councilman Herbert Simmons for a minor violation that was not illegal is outrageous.
Councilman Simmons’ misstep was only because he was new. His student and teacher program is fully supported by the community.
The Altadena Town Council is telling people in Census Tract 4602 that their vote in the general election means nothing.
~ROSE MARIE MCZEAL, ALTADENA
Watching a train wreck
As a new resident and business owner in Altadena, we have never been enthusiastic to interact with the local Town Council, all of which changed due to Herbert Simmons. We never knew about local happenings before Herbert. Our company actually volunteered services at no charge to help the local community due to Herbert Simmons.
These latest events are truly sad for the community and our company’s ideas and planned involvement with the Town Council.
It is hard to watch the local cable broadcast now. It’s like watching a train wreck.
We wish there was something we could do. I emphasize we because that is something that Herbert brought forward. Like all good things, it was too good to be true.
~TONY SECILIA, CEO,
GARGOYLE SECURITY, INC., ALTADENA
Now, about evolution …
We are now in the bicentennial year of Charles Darwin’s birth in 1809 and next month will mark the 150th year since the initial publication of his book “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life.”
Both Darwin and his publications remain controversial, yet his theories are taught almost as sacred scripture in our government-run schools.
If we are to teach Darwin’s theories, we should teach more Darwin, not less. For example, his faulty methods of scientific observation led him to conclude that: “… women, though generally superior to men in moral qualities, are inferior intellectually…” (1882 letter to Caroline Kennard).
Darwin then followed up with his scientific observation: “Man is more courageous … and has a more inventive genius. His brain is absolutely larger …”
In chapter 19 of “Descent of Man,” scientist Darwin erroneously concluded that “Man has ultimately become superior to woman.” Brilliant!
With regard to the topic of superior and inferior races, Darwin declared in a Feb. 6, 1862, letter to C. Kingsley that he had observed “a good many Barbarians and savage(s)…”. Darwin’s scientific predictions were: “It is very true what you say about the higher races of men, when high enough, replacing and clearing off the lower races. In 500 years how the Anglo-Saxon race will have spread and exterminated whole nations; and in consequence how much the human race, viewed as a unit, will have risen in rank.”
Darwin’s racist and chauvinistic scientific theories should be taught in our schools along with his other writings in order that all of his scientific and social theories may be more properly evaluated and understood — let us bring the dark things to the light for frank examination. It would improve the critical thinking skills of our children.
I propose that instead of one Darwin Bicentennial Celebration we have an annual “Darwinian Memorial,” fashioned after the annual Holocaust Memorial. After all, before Karl Marx’s ideas led to the death of tens of millions of people, Marx wanted to dedicate his book “Das Kapital” to Darwin, and Adolf Hitler considered Darwin’s ideas as giving scientific legitimacy to the Aryan race’s intended “rise in rank,” through the extermination of a “lower” race.
If our children are to be taught Darwinian theories, then the students should learn all — not a selected few — of Darwin’s scientific teachings.
Let us educate, not propagandize, our students.
~BERT K. ROBINSON, BATON ROUGE, LA.
Good Advice
Hello Dr. Carmalt-Vener; I quote you in my newsletter: crime-safety-security.com/Rape-Victims.html and link to your Web site. I find your column to be in sync with my beliefs, and your insights enlightening.
Thank you.
~MICHAEL EDWARD LOFTUS, SR.,
VIA EMAIL
FROM THE WEB:
Re: “Procedural breakdown,”
Oct. 29
The ignorant critics should ride along with the PPD and see the daily risk they encounter dealing with armed felons. Last time I checked, ex-cons are not permitted to handle, possess or use deadly weapons. Ten to 20 rounds is sufficient to eliminate a deadly threat without being second-guessed by angry activists and liberal bleeding heart journalists.
~posted by marchv
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