Conversation and morality
The Rev. Michael Penfield bemoans the dying art of conversation (Town Crier, Nov. 15). If one were to look only at the last several political campaigns in this country, one would conclude that it is dead.
The Rev. Penfield goes on to say that we must learn the art of conversation, that it is not a matter of civility or idealism, but rather one of Christian morality and the intellectual growth of all.
I’m a little confused. My history books were full of material about the Spanish Inquisition, the burning of poor Monk Bruno at the stake in 1600 for his belief that the Earth revolved around the sun, and the manner in which Christian preachers used the Bible and its teachings in the antebellum South to justify the enslavement and torture of Africans.
What’s wrong with having female pastors, Rev. Penfield? Are their souls and brains somehow different from those of men? What is your argument?
Richard Sutherland
Los Altos
The myth of tap water
Your health writer, Patricia Rupert, in her piece in the Nov. 15 issue of the Town Crier, appears to have bought into the notion that ordinary tap water is not “good quality” water.
The bottled-water companies have paid big bucks to sell that falsehood to the public, with the result that a great many people are wasting their money and filling garbage dumps with huge piles of empty plastic bottles that will not deteriorate for many years to come.
Mary Jane Beck
Los Altos Hills
Redistricting ‘myths’ in e-mail story
It is unfortunate that the Town Crier chose to extend a thread of redistricting myths about Los Altos School District (LASD) intentions concerning the reopening of Bullis as a neighborhood K-6 public school for Los Altos Hills (”E-mail requests underscore redistricting controversy,” Nov. 29).
By quoting partial sentences of e-mails, out of context, the Crier has created the myth that I hate the charter. This is untrue.
My voting record shows that I have been a moderate voice, along with fellow board member David Pefley, in finding ways to meet the needs of both the charter school and LASD. In fact, LASD offered to move the charter’s program to the Bullis site under LASD sponsorship, which has been declined numerous times by the Charter board.
Fact is, an LASD school at Bullis will create a true neighborhood school. The charter school would not be able to give preference to those living in the neighborhood, as long as the charter school insisted on being sponsored by the county.
The Town Crier has not helped community healing in its ill-advised publication of several half-sentences of e-mails, which were gained through redistricting supporter attorney demands on LASD. Specifically, the Town Crier implied in one excerpt that I was referring to Bullis (Charter School) facilities, when in fact the rest of the sentence would have revealed that I was referring to LASD kindergarten facilities at Bullis-Purissima. In the e-mail I went on to say that the general community needs to get over the past, and move forward to support better educational facilities for all, whether LASD, Charter, or Palo Alto Unified School District. This is the exact opposite of what the Town Crier implied.
Redistricting is simply a bad idea that will extend what has become a deep community rift, but more sadly would have negative educational impacts on children in both Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. LAH children would see themselves with no access to top-rated LASD or PAUSD schools, including no junior high schools at all.I am deeply opposed to it.
I do support and have voted to reopen the Bullis site as a neighborhood school in 2008, and would like to see the community rally to support this and make it a success story.
Mark Goines
Trustee, LASD
A downtown memorial vigil
As the toll of death grows daily in Iraq and Afghanistan - military and civilian alike - members of Los Altos Voices for Peace invite the community to gather for a vigil honoring the fallen on Saturday at the Community Plaza in downtown Los Altos (State and Main).
The vigil begins at 3 p.m. and will conclude by 4 p.m.
In addition to Los Altos Voices for Peace, Mountain View and Sunnyvale Voices for Peace are co-sponsoring organizations.
We want to emphasize that the event will be quiet, thoughtful and respectful.
This is not a political event or one organized primarily as a war protest. Honoring and remembering those lost is the clear purpose.
Participants are encouraged to bring candles and flowers.
Brief comments will precede the reading of names of California military personnel who have died in the Iraq war.
A “dog tag” display of those lost will precede the vigil at 2 p.m.
For more information, call 949-2950.
Ray Schuster
Los Altos Voices for Peace
What about mention
of Kepler’s?
Today’s Town Crier has a wonderful review of “To Reach For The Clouds,” detailing the story of Philippe Petit’s walk between the twin towers.
You then provide information to purchase the book, suggesting Powells online bookstore. Much as I love Powells and find it the best brick-and-mortar bookstore I have even been in, I am chagrined that you don’t mention our own local independent book store, Kepler’s, which has been struggling to remain open and viable.
I had hoped that supporting local independent book stores would be a high priority for our educated community.
Judy Simon
Los Altos Hills
