Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008

Letters to the Editor

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Show some compassion

I am tired of the ignorance of the public when it comes to the disabled. I have a blue, state-issued disabled placard that I use to park in handicapped parking spots. The public seems to assume that in order to use one of these spots, an individual must “look” disabled, be in a wheelchair or drive a van.

Fortunately, my team of doctors does more than look at my appearance to determine my health. I have multiple sclerosis and degenerative disc disease. Thank God, I am still able to walk, although not long distances. You would not know either of these just by looking at me (and, frankly, it’s none of your business).

For my birthday, my husband bought me a Mustang convertible.

Since owning the auto, I have had a man sarcastically say, “That doesn’t look like the kind of car a handicapped person would drive!” and a woman in a San Luis Obispo parking lot yelled out, “That’s a handicapped spot, you know!”

What does a handicapped person look like, and what kinds of cars are we allowed to drive?

Please have some compassion for those of us who don’t have life as easy as you might think; life is challenging enough for us without your hostility and judgmental attitude.

Margo Mosher

Templeton

A-bomb was a plus

The recent anti-A-bomb comment (Letters, Aug. 9), seeming to rewrite history, will surely generate response.

Those of us who were in the military during World War II know full well that it would have taken an invasion to defeat Japan. Japan had to be aware of our preparation and showed no sign of capitulation, only signs of preparation for invasion. Invasion would have been a blood bath for both sides.

The A-bomb saved thousands of lives, both Japanese and American. I thank the use of the A-bomb—as I’m sure it saved my life.

Robert R. Lyon

Morro Bay

Thanks for the insight

I would like to thank you for including Bill Denneen’s letters in your paper. His insightful and informative writing is just what we need to hear at a time when we seem to face so many complex issues in the world. He has great wisdom and is not afraid to speak out on controversial situations.

We may not always want to hear what he has to say, but truth may not come with a lovely melody; and those who speak the truth aren’t always popular. So, I thank you for printing his writings, and I commend Bill for his deep caring for life and for the earth and for his courage to say what’s on his mind and in his heart.

Eileen Ramos

Nipomo

Thanks firefighters

Are we proud? You bet!

What a great letter from the Cosletts in Goleta (July 28), praising our San Luis Obispo firefighters.

As parents of a San Luis Obispo firefighter, it was an uplifting letter to all our firefighters and especially their families.

Sometimes it takes an outsider to remind us just how special our police and firefighters are.

We seem to take it all for granted until people in harm’s way remind us just how lucky San Luis Obispo residents are to have these fine men and women who put their lives on the line each day for us and, when called, do the same for outsiders in other towns.

Mary and John Macdonald

San Luis Obispo

At August’s general meeting of the Cambria Computer Club, John Ehlers will continue his demonstration of TeamViewer 3, a free software application that enables a user to see and control a colleague’s computer via the Internet.

Such remote access programs make it easier to collaborate and share information.

The meeting also will feature some additional software and special software applets, plus the tip of the month, game of the month and joke of the month.

The meeting will be held Thursday at the Joslyn Recreation Center Conference Room, 950 Main St. in Cambria, at 2 p. m. For more information contact Ron Crummit, rcrummit @ charter.net, or go to www.cambriacomputerclub.org.

More events this week

Today. Central Coast Computer Club meeting, Knollwood Village clubhouse, 4012 S. Bradley Road, Orcutt, 7 p. m. Meeting will be a Q&A session. Systems and non-nerd special interest groups start at 5:45 p. m. Free, guests welcome. Contact: 938-0217.

Today. San Luis Obispo Macintosh Users Group meeting, San Luis Obispo City/County Library community room, 995 Palm St., San Luis Obispo. 7 p. m. Cal Poly instructor Brian Lawler covers fonts, where to get them (including free fonts) and how to use and manage them. No charge, but nonmembers are asked to donate toward expenses. For more information contact Einar Berg at einar3888 @ sbcglobal.net.

Dan Logan is the author of “Close the Gaps: 10 Cool Tools for Mastering Windows Essentials.” His Central Coast Tech column runs every Tuesday. E-mail him at dlogan@thegrid.net.