Letters to the Editor

A history lesson
Mary Zanger (Letters, June 18) needs to review the history
behind the adoption of the Constitution of the United States. The
events leading up to the Bill of Rights include the following:
  An eight-year war, from 1775 to 1783.
  A government formed in 1777 (Articles of Confederation) that
failed and had to be replaced.
  Criticism of the Constitution of the United States as written
in 1788.
The Constitution had its detractors. In 1789, the First Congress
of the United States proposed to the state legislatures 12
amendments to the Constitution that met arguments most frequently
advanced against the constitution.
The first two proposed amendments, which concerned the number of
constituents for each Representative and the compensation of
Congressmen, were not ratified. Articles 3 to 12, however, ratified
by three-fourths of the state legislatures, constitute the first 10
amendments of the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights.
There were a lot of blood, sweat, and tears shed to just get to
that point. There have been even more shed to keep the right for
you to express your distorted opinions.
 
Marvin L. Jones
Hollister
A history lesson

Mary Zanger (Letters, June 18) needs to review the history behind the adoption of the Constitution of the United States. The events leading up to the Bill of Rights include the following:

An eight-year war, from 1775 to 1783.

A government formed in 1777 (Articles of Confederation) that failed and had to be replaced.

Criticism of the Constitution of the United States as written in 1788.

The Constitution had its detractors. In 1789, the First Congress of the United States proposed to the state legislatures 12 amendments to the Constitution that met arguments most frequently advanced against the constitution.

The first two proposed amendments, which concerned the number of constituents for each Representative and the compensation of Congressmen, were not ratified. Articles 3 to 12, however, ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures, constitute the first 10 amendments of the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights.

There were a lot of blood, sweat, and tears shed to just get to that point. There have been even more shed to keep the right for you to express your distorted opinions.

Marvin L. Jones

Hollister

They fought to deep us free

In Mary Zanger’s June 18 letter on the roots of free speech she states, “it [free speech] was not earned for us by any person in uniform taught to kill in our name.”  She then says that the “U.S. Constitution assures our right to speak our mind,” which is true, but she obviously has not thought beyond that point.  I must ask Ms. Zanger, how did that Constitution came into being and how has it been kept safe all these years?  Did it appear one day on the doorstep from heaven, indestructible, or did people fight to obtain it and lay down their lives to keep it?

If the enemies of freedom, the Nazis, the Japanese militarists, the KKK, the Communists, the followers of Osama bin Laden or other religious terrorists were ruling America, does Mary Zanger think that our Constitution would look the same, or mean the same, or offer the same protections?

If it were not for those persons in uniform who fought to keep us free, Mary Zanger’s first protest would certainly be her last.  She owes them more than she can imagine.

Martin G. Richman

Hollister

A friend lost

Our family is requesting that you publish this letter to allow our grieving family to ask our neighbors along Cerra Vista Drive to help us catch the killer of our beloved cat, Bennie, and to warn them of pending danger from a very irresponsible pet owner.

On June 13 between 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. on the 2000 Block of Cerra Vista Drive an adult male was riding a bicycle and allowing his dark colored pit bull or pit bull mix breed dog to run alongside him with a leash that was too long. Witnesses saw this dog jump onto our lawn and grab and kill our beloved family pet cat Bennie. Bennie was 14 years old and was just sleeping on his own property when a monster dog killed him.

As you can imagine we are all very upset. We have lost a very dear family friend to a very irresponsible person with a killer dog. This adult male did not even have the guts to apologize or offer any help to our Bennie.

Shame on you, if you are the owner of this killer dog and allowed it to kill another animal.

If anyone sees an adult male riding a bicycle along Cerra Vista Drive near Cerra Vista School with a running dark colored pit bull or pit bull mix, please ask him to keep his dog on a shorter leash and let him know you do not want your family pets or young children at risk with a killer dog in our neighborhood.

San Benito County Animal Control is aware of this dangerous animal and will gladly take it away from the irresponsible pet owner if anyone can contact them who may know this killer dog and pet owner.

We hope no one else in our neighborhood has to suffer the loss of a loved pet to an untimely death by an irresponsible pet owner and his killer dog.

The Sutton family

Hollister

Biased reporting?

Thank goodness you got Kate Woods, the ultra-liberal, out of the editorial section. But now she had taken her biased position to the front page of the Pinnacle as a “reporter.” She reports one side of the story, as fact on condors being poisoned by lead shot, and quotes some radical from the Center for Biodiversity who may “file a lawsuit” (what a surprise), without providing the rest of the story. I saw no quotes from hunters, ranchers, or even an attempt to reach the Fish and Game Department for the real story. It is so frustrating to see a biased reporter in your fine newspaper.

Dan Russo

Morgan Hill

Help for those who want it

I would like to respond to David Baraby’s letter to the editor, in the June 18 issue of the Pinnacle News.

My name is Leigh Dietz. I am the manager for the Winter Homeless Shelter in San Benito County. I would like you to contact me at 831-801-9531. If you are unable to call, I know we have some mutual friends that know how to get in contact with me.

I can let you know where food is provided as well as where you are able to cook your own food. I can tell you where you are able to take a shower. I can give you information on who to contact for many job services, such as help with resumes, and job searches. I can also get you in contact with people who can provide suitable clothing for job interviews.

You said that you do not have drug issues or a drinking problem. Congratulations! However there are many people who do have these problems, homeless or not. The shelter not only provides food, showers, clothing and job services, we also have a myriad of programs to include; substance abuse, mental health services, veterans’ services as well as free legal clinics.

David, you said in your letter that the city should “get their act together” and that “the city really doesn’t care.” If it weren’t for many people in the city as well as the county, we would not be where we are today. We are not near where we want to be, yet, but we are taking the steps necessary to provide services on an ongoing basis.

Just remember, those people who want and/or need help, must also be willing to help themselves!

Leigh Dietz

Shelter Manager

Homeless Task Force of San Benito County

Sober Grad Night a success

The San Benito High School class of 2006 received an unforgettable gift on Friday night, June 9 from this community. Sober Grad Night. This event that started at 8 p.m. and lasted until 4 a.m. was held at the O’Donnell Gym on the San Benito High campus.

All activities and food were free to graduates. Community sponsorship was evident everywhere. Our young adults participated in sumo wrestling, dancing, Velcro wall sticking, and selecting henna tattoos. Available food and drink included barbecue sandwiches, chocolate chip pancakes, and coffee beverages. Donated gifts were distributed all night and into the morning. Representatives from the local law enforcement and state local agencies, parents, teachers, and community members all contributed to this safe and sober party.

This event could not have taken place without the organization and dedication of parents who were committed to providing a party to remember for the 2006 graduates. Marci Huston and other committee members tirelessly raised funds, gained donations, advertised the party to all the students to encourage them to attend, and attend they did! Over 350 seniors partied at Sober Grad Night. Parents were assured that their graduates were safe and sober. Our community embraced our young people with a lasting memory as they launch into the adult world.

Thank you Marci Huston! Thank you community for truly caring about our youth! Thank you graduates for coming and making this party one great evening into the morning.

Jean Burns Slater

Superintendent

Hollister