heART on CenterFun in P.B.
I read “Welcome to the Testosterdome” by Edwin Decker [“Sordid Tales,” Nov. 13], and I have to say that I agree. Why should the bouncers be charged for doing their jobs? Don't they get paid to keep things in order?
I'm curious to know what started the fight. The fact that the bouncers got in trouble and not the sailors really says something about the system. If they are trying to take away liquor licenses, in my opinion, they will be causing more problems. In case they haven't noticed, the bars in Pacific Beach are overcrowded as it is and the more people waiting to get into a place, the worse the moods get.
Once they do get in, people start bumping into each other (unavoidable). Eventually, after a few beers, the hostility from the line, bumping and drink spilling builds up. Slurred words are exchanged and somebody gets hit. If friends all jump in, there could be an all-out brawl.
Why can't they understand that PB is fun? Why take that away? Having fun relieves tension. It's a release from working your ass off all week to pull in just enough to get the bills paid and the rent taken care of. When all you want is a weekend to go out and meet with old friends and maybe make new friends, standing in line and having to deal with bad vibes is not exactly something to look forward to.
Maybe the reason PB has so many bars is because there are so many people who like to go to them. Who are these Nazis who want to take that away? What is their point? It's not like bar owners and patrons aren't taxed like crazy for each and every drink they pour. How many jobs do these establishments create? Do they think of that?
Well, I love “Sordid Tales” and look forward to Wednesdays to read CityBeat on the Net.
Mallie Hamilton,
Pacific Beach
Not buying it
Last Friday night I went to see Janeane Garofalo at Spreckels Theatre. During her comedy routine, Garofalo mentioned the 2000 elections and her many grievances about the current presidency. I guess it took a few chuckles to shake me out of my stupor, because as she raged on, I realized how incredibly complacent I've become about the state of our nation.
The reason why is so obvious. Since Sept. 11, political discourse has taken a very frightening turn in this country. Any opposition to Bush and his cohorts' tactics is “unpatriotic.” The word “liberal” is bandied about with a sneer. And, as our freedoms are compromised one by one, it's easier for non-politically active lefties like me to just ignore reality and hope things magically change for the better.
However, when stalwarts of free speech like PBS start burying controversial material, you know it's time to speak up. I called KPBS as suggested in your editorial [“KPBS and the Florida fiasco,” Nov. 20]. The woman I spoke with was friendly, but when I questioned KPBS' decision to air Counting on Democracy at 1 a.m.-way past my normal bedtime-she responded that their schedule had been really full and 1 a.m. was the only slot available. I don't buy it. She also did not seem to think it would air again any time soon. That I believe.
Thanks for bringing this issue to light. I hope I have the opportunity to see the documentary at some point. (KPBS, are you listening?) The claim that it was “biased” made me laugh. Aren't we forced to deal with biased information on a daily basis? Maybe biased has become a euphemism for “Big Brother doesn't agree.”
In any case, I'd like to decide for myself.
AnnaMaria Stephens,
Golden Hill
Sustainable San Diego
Re: “Clean and green” [Letters, Nov. 13]. Solar power and sustainability issues are indeed on the UC regents' agenda, but they also happen to be on the agenda of the San Diego City Council, due to the efforts of a whole host of local organizations.
Representatives from 30 groups met Nov. 18 to attend the Breakfast of Solar Champions. The breakfast featured Councilwoman Donna Frye, senior policy analyst Tom Story from the Mayor's office and Shannon Wright from Greenpeace. The group gathered to share their common vision for San Diego's future as a leader in clean solar energy.
Greenpeace and the Sierra Club have found strong allies in the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers), the Ecumenical Council, the American Lung Association and others. These groups recognize that developing solar energy locally is the best way to begin to stop global warming, reduce asthma-causing air pollution, create jobs and reduce San Diego's exposure to the vagaries of fossil fuel markets.
Clean energy is an issue on the rise in San Diego, and Monday's breakfast is just the latest sign that many people are working to see that San Diego becomes the nation's solar power leader.
Justin Dawe,
North Park
Get up off'a that thang
Give Kelly Davis whatever accolades great journalists get. The piece on Quincy Troupe [“Outside the Lines,” Nov. 20] was quite tastefully presented.
Gotta tell y'u this all the same. The contrite Troupe is not my kind o' brotha. He ought to rediscover his ass-kicking self and get back into the fray. The hell with sorry! Get back into the game and play, man! Look at all that drawes-snatching Clinton did and he ain't neva been contrite.
Get up off y'u behind, brotha, and get on with it.
Aduku Addae,
Downtown
