More online To read additional letters and tips on how to comment, visit us online at www.dailystar.com/opinion Windmills offer power solution

 

Let me add a coda to the letter to the editor, "Look to Netherlands" (Sept. 8). Not only are the Dutch dikes built strong enough to protect the country, but they are topped by the trusty, old windmills that keep pumping the water out long after the power grid has failed. Hugh Moore Jr.

 

Retired architect, Tucson

 

Feds knew of potential disaster

 

Re: the Sept. 18 letter to the editor "Shameless finger-pointing." The writer and others have criticized anyone who has pointed blame at the federal government for what happened post-Katrina, as they have with all failures of this administration. According to the FEMA plan, local governments were to provide aid to those left behind for the first 72 hours, which they did, and then FEMA was to take over. The federal government failed to provide funds to strengthen the levees for at least the past 20 years. For even more years, the wetlands protecting the city were being eroded by the combined effects of the diversion of the Mississippi River, which no longer was depositing silt to the wetlands, and the intrusion of canals dug out by the oil companies for their pipes and boats. The federal government knew all this and did nothing. Just who is to blame? Ruth Duperret

 

Retired registered nurse, Tucson

 

Local aid workers masterful

 

My company was privileged to be able to provide 19 apartments for victims of Katrina. It was very much a community effort, as we received assistance from many of our vendors and other agencies, but I wanted to publicly thank the congregants of Calvary Chapel Baptist Church whose assistance had to be seen to be believed. They brought furniture for all 19 units and set it up. They brought everything from TVs to soap. We could contact Jeanette, their coordinator, with a need and within a couple of hours, those items were delivered. Douglas coordinated furniture and setup. He and his helpers worked all day and would not leave until the people we were housing had everything they needed to start living their lives again. If FEMA needs people who know how to coordinate and deliver much-needed assistance quickly and in a very caring manner, I know where they can be found. John Glaze

 

Vice president, Family Housing Resources, Tucson

 

Council member honest, qualified

 

Re: the Sept. 18 Tucson Boulevard cartoon. As a homeowner and resident of Ward 2, I have reviewed many City Council minutes and found Fred Ronstadt to be an honest council member acting in the best interest of our city. This is the reason qualified voters from all wards voted for him. Anne Stephenson

 

Tucson

 

Don't judge those in flight path

 

Re: the Sept. 15 letter to the editor "Think of economic impact." Last year, the usual suspects fulminated about the impending doom that would befall us if our elected leaders did not take action to "save Davis-Monthan Air Force Base." But since these Chicken Littles did not address the real problems with D-M, metastasizing development on the southeast that will encircle the base and prevent its expansion or propose ways to better ensure D-M's future, requesting research and development or intelligence missions, which would provide jobs without increasing D-M's impact on its surroundings, we are left to wonder whether they were more interested in saving their own personal gravy trains than in saving D-M. Also, unless the writer lives in the flight path and enjoys the "sound of freedom" all day and night, she should withhold judgment on those who do. Les Pierce

 

Tucson

 

Road work done without a racket

 

Less than a half-block from Craycroft Road we hear the road noise and have become accustomed to living with it. In fact, we would probably miss it, were the hum to disappear. Recently, during the seal coating of Craycroft between Broadway and 22nd Street, the only indication of the road work was visual. The new surface is a treat and never again did we awaken at night to see the machinery. Our compliments to the road builders. Totten K. Warfield Sr. and Leila H. Warfield

 

Retired, Tucson

 

 

News outlet breath of fresh air

 

Re: the Sept. 23 opinion "Unbiased news." This opinion could not be more biased. The documentary Nicole Cassese talked about was discredited before it was released on video. Most of the stories in it were coming from fired or disgruntled employees. Perhaps she should stop watching CNN (the Clinton News Network) and pick up a book that looks at the facts. Coming from someone on the right, I can tell you Fox News is the middle of the road, and if anything, at times they are slightly to the left. Still with all the major liberal news agencies out there, Fox News is a breath of fresh air. With Cassese pursuing a career in journalism, it makes me wonder whether she'll even look at all the facts or go with what she is spoon-fed. Glenn Townsend

 

Tucson

 

Budding journalist offers reminder

 

Re: the Sept. 23 guest opinion "Bending news to ideology outrageous." Thank you to Nicole Cassese for her focus on journalism. Her observations are a warning to us all that what we read, see or hear is not always the true or complete story. Science has also been bent to ideology. We're sure she will face many pressures as she grows in her chosen career. Her personal credo expressed in her opinion will be a great foundation on which to build. Congratulations and our very best wishes. We expect to hear more from her. Lucie and Jack Olwine

 

Tucson

 

Governor taking care of business

 

Re: the Sept. 23 Thorns and Flowers. It is surprising and appalling U.S. Rep. J.D. Hayworth, R-Ariz., chose to criticize Gov. Janet Napolitano for undertaking responsibility for the state's welfare. She is applying for reimbursement from the federal government for carrying out its responsibilities: assisting hurricane evacuees with relief and relocation, deploying the Arizona National Guard to strengthen border security and bearing the costs of incarcerating illegal immigrants. Hayworth's attack on Napolitano is shameful and cowardly. Diane Wilson

 

Retired, Tucson

 

Some students get kid-glove treatment

 

I read with some amazement your story in the paper about the three students at Catalina Foothills High School who addicted to heroin and the slap-on-the-wrist treatment accorded them. My question is, had these girls been caught at Cholla, Pueblo, Santa Rita or any other high school on the South Side, would they have been treated differently? I'll bet they would have. Does our socioeconomic system make a difference? I'll bet it does. Werner Wolff

 

Retired Oro Valley chief of police

 

RTA plan never will be 100% OK

 

Re: the Sept. 24 Guest Column "Voters to have say in '06 on transportation plan." My question is, why is it always all or nothing? The writer pointed out that once again voters will have to approve the whole plan or get nothing. This approach has lost in the past and has a good chance of losing gain. No one will like everything in the plan. Break the plan up into related items and let us choose as we like. We actually might get something done that way. Lyle D. Marcks

 

Tucson