Hold each agency responsible

Re "New state vehicles sit idle" (Page A1, Oct. 26): With our economy in such bad shape, each state department should be held accountable on its purchases. However, the majority of them continue to spend our tax dollars without a care until their budget is depleted, as that's their goal.

I have many friends that work for the state and they've told me numerous times that prior to June 30, the managers come through their offices asking (actually begging them) to buy new chairs, monitors, etc.

Because each department continues to waste thousands of dollars on unnecessary items, is that why we just had the Great California Garage Sale that included nearly 600 state-owned vehicles, thousands of pieces of office furniture, computers, electronics, etc.? How can you have all of this usable surplus furniture sitting around and then go out and buy new stuff?

Instead of saying, "Look how much our department saved during this economic crisis," it's, "Spend it or lose it."

– Leroy Zine, Folsom

Gambling: Insider's perspective

Re "Casino promotions" (Page A1, Oct. 18): This is one of the best "advertisements" for tribal casinos and gambling I have seen in years.

I was a loyal customer that you refer to and was lured in by the tribal casinos. Free shows, meals, gifts, slot play and, of course, their friendship – after all, they bill themselves as our neighbors.

Then I got the ultimate gift: I no longer had a home, retirement or savings and had lost the respect of my family and friends. I was at the lowest point in my life; I had become a "compulsive gambler."

Gambling is an illness, a disease, an addition just like alcoholism and drug addition. Are you going to do a front-page spread promoting those as well? Certainly drug dealers can afford to give free toasters to their loyal patrons.

I got my life back when I stopped gambling, through hard work, with the help of my family and friends and my 12-step program and fellows.

The tribal casinos were not there for me; I had nothing left to give them. I was empty emotionally, spiritually and financially.

– Maggie E. Johnson, Fair Oaks

Put Afghanistan on front burner

Re "U.S. endures deadliest month" (Page A1, Oct. 28): I would like to ask the president: "How many young Americans must lose their lives before you exercise your responsibilities as commander-in-chief?" You have been jetting around the country on fundraising junkets while our young people are in jeopardy. I do not believe fundraising is a higher priority.

Mr. President, I ask you to either commit to winning this damn war or get the hell out. Either way, we must give our military the resources of material and direction in a timely manner so it can accomplish the mission.

– Art Johnston, Woodland

Not involved, not informed?

Re "U.S. endures deadliest month" (Page A1, Oct. 28): This front page article caught my attention today because it involves the knowledge of American people as a whole and the role media has when there's war.

Currently I am reading "Starship Troopers" by Robert A. Heinlein. In the story, "peace" is a condition in which no civilian pays any attention to military casualties that do not achieve Page 1, lead-story prominence – unless that civilian is a close relative of one of the casualties.

I believe these words are truthful. Some Americans are too busy doing their own thing to notice the newspaper or a TV news story about war. Families of those who've lost a loved one, or have a loved one fighting, are well aware of what's going on in the war.

However, it's not just the people who play a part, Media do, too. They have a big say. I just want people to think about one thing: Do they really know what's happening in the world?

– Taylor Lopez, El Dorado Hills

Lungren likes what he opposed

Re "SMUD meters to get smart" (Page A1, Oct. 28): I am pleased to see that Rep. Dan Lungren is lauding the $127.5 million grant given to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District to install "smart meters" and other energy-saving devices.

I also find it ironic that Lungren once again is praising stimulus funds that come from a stimulus bill that he voted against.

– Jeffrey Beck, Sacramento

Clarification on drunken cyclists

Re "Yes, DUI applies to bicyclists" (Page B3, Oct. 28): It was good to see that this article on BUIs (bicycling under the influence) used both a CHP officer and the vehicle code as sources. There's one clarification that should be made, though:

While the officer's statement that a cyclist can be cited without a chemical test is true, an unquoted part of the BUI rules states that a cyclist may require the officer to perform the same chemical test he or she would on a driver.

– Ryan Sharpe, Sacramento