Students teach us with humor

Re "The meaning of meme: UCD cop sparks a shared odyssey" (Forum, Dec. 4): The burgeoning of the "Pepper-Spray Cop" meme says many things about the Internet generation, but the fact that thousands of college students are able to turn such a disgusting image into something hilariously absurd says something profound about their way of thinking.

Channeling their anger and frustration into something creative, funny and clever, they've shown the world that ugly deeds don't require ugly reactions. If other political movements responded to their frustrations in a similar fashion, it might help fix our broken political system.

Our national dialogue has deteriorated largely due to uninhibited anger, as is evident within the gridlocked halls of Congress. With a little bit of humor, maybe these obstinate ideologues could get a much-needed lesson on how to lighten up; they need to realize that the world won't end if they don't get their ideological way.

– William Ratliff, Sacramento

Protesters' rights violated

Re "Occupiers made their choice" (Letters, Dec. 4): I disagree with letter writer Tom Orsat; the protesters who were pepper-sprayed were simply exercising their constitutional right to peaceful civil disobedience. This right is fundamental, and whether or not you agree with their cause, there can be no argument suggesting that they are not entitled to it.

After being given a lawful order to move by the UC Davis police, they should have been physically removed and arrested, not pepper-sprayed. The police should use pepper spray only to subdue violent suspects, not on citizens exercising their right to peacefully disobey orders.

Perhaps Mr. Orsat should brush up on his history lessons: The right to peacefully disobey civil authority has been well established throughout the history of our country. Most notably, peaceful protests during the 1960s were instrumental in establishing civil rights for all citizens, regardless of race, and for ending an unpopular war. These protests led to changes in public policy that might not have happened otherwise.

– Greg Larson, Folsom

Holder out of line on pot shops

Re "County down to 8 pot shops" (Page A1, Dec. 4): The crackdown by federal prosecutors with overzealous personnel on medical marijuana dispensaries in California is completely illegal, unconstitutional and a shameful attack by government on American civil liberties.

By what legal authority does the federal government have to prohibit cannabis use for medical use by responsible Americans? By what constitutional authority does the government have to confiscate the private property of landlords and legitimate businesses? This crackdown comes directly from the U.S. Department of Justice and the desk of Attorney General Eric Holder.

Holder has kept a low profile. Perhaps he cannot find any bankers to arrest and once again attempts to divert public attention to pot dispensaries and lesser crimes.

– Thomas Powell, Sacramento

Supervisors disregard voters

Re "Oblique assault on pot shops" (Our Region, Dec. 8): Thank the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors for dealing a death blow to pot shops and enforcing federal law by zoning them out of existence.

Heck with the voters. It is much more important to send a message to the children of Sacramento. The trouble is that the message is: Don't bother voting for any initiative on the ballot when you grow up. County supervisors will ignore your voice, unless current adult voters remove them from office.

Then the message would be: Your opinion is more than an inconvenience and a nuisance.

– Alan Raymond Muller, Sacramento

Punish the copper buyers

Re "Copper crime wave spreads" (Page A1, Dec. 8): This problem will continue until the punishment for the thieves and scrap yards that accept stolen property is made so prohibitive that copper isn't worth stealing.

It would appear that the more guilty party is the scrap yards operators who ask no questions when someone brings in a manhole cover. Until the easy money is choked out of this equation, stealing will continue.

– Tina Wilson, Citrus Heights

Fish, Game rules are insane

Re "Hunting is a privilege – let's not risk losing it" (Viewpoints, Dec. 4): Judd Hanna laments that his lifetime hunting license is losing its value because of diminishing license sales. He's wrong. Here's why:

The California Department of Fish and Game has brought this on itself. The overzealous issuance of mega-fines for mini- offenses is killing their golden-egg-laying goose. The mere act of hunting or fishing in California is to be in non-compliance. Even with the regulation books and an attorney's help, the rules are so complicated that any person wanting to go afield is a citation in the making. When heavily armed and body-armored wardens, usually two at a time, can board your vessel at the dock or at sea to find out if you are using the official correct size, shape and type fish hook, it is insanity. Only clearer, fairer and simplified regulation and enforcement can raise license sales.

– Greg Gartrell, Sacramento

Worry misplaced in priest case

Re "Priest case hits close to home" (Marcos Breton, Our Region, Dec. 4): Shame on Marcos Breton. Shame on The Bee. Shame on Catholics in general. There's talk about the diocese throwing the young priest under the bus. What about all the young children who have been thrown under the bus and their lives irrevocably changed by predatory priests who systematically pillage the families and the young victims?

Breton seems more worried about the handsome young priest and seems to blame the young women in the parish. Shame on Catholics who privately say they would never trust a priest with their young sons in particular, and still sit in church every Sunday.

– K. Ruth Foote, Sacramento

Put the children first

"Let us not be blinded" by emotion and hearsay, Marcos Breton says in his column on the Rev. Uriel Ojeda, the Catholic priest accused of lewd behavior with a girl under 14. Let us not rush to judge the young priest who did so many good deeds, Breton says.

Instead of trying to engender good will for an accused pedophile, Breton should put his priority on the emotional and spiritual devastation that befalls children who are sexually abused by adults in a position of trust. Instead of raising the specter of false accusation, Breton should acknowledge the overwhelming truth of so many allegations against Catholic priests in recent years.

Instead of trotting out Ojeda's good deeds as though they speak to his innocence, Breton should remember the biblical warning: "Even Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light."

– Paul Clegg, Sacramento

Restore financial regulations

Re "How to catch up with your savings" (Business, Dec. 4): The Bee's past stance against the CalPERS retirement plan implies it is not actuarially sound. However, the article's example by Financial Engine for an individual's retirement income from stocks and bonds coincides nicely with the CalPERS schedule for the average employee. The Bee should look into the actual situation and not just take the statements of others, who have their own agenda, as fact.

Ever since the financial regulations that existed prior to 1975 were abandoned, a financial disaster occurs every decade that wipes out the small investor. Large institutions like CalPERS may be affected negatively, but they can ride through these occurrences, protecting retirements. Unless the regulations are restored, individuals or even small investment firms do not have a chance at being able to maintain suitable retirement accounts. Otherwise, everyone should be able to have a CalPERS.

– Bill Jurkovich, Citrus Heights

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

WRITE US A LETTER

Include: Name, mailing address and phone number.

Length: 150 words or less.

BEST WAY TO SUBMIT

Online form: www.sacbee.com/sendletter

E-mail: letters@sacbee.com Other: Letters, P.O. Box 15779, Sacramento, CA 95852

• Read more articles by