Compassion, Little Voices Can and Foolish Anger

March 21, 2003

Dear Editor,

I too am deeply saddened. ("OPINION: Re-Entry: "It's in God's Hands," by Kelly Hayes-Raitt)

I feel the way you do. I pray for a miracle. Thank you for expressing your compassion.

Tracy Roebuck

March 21, 2003

Dear Editor,

I want to commend Surf Santa Monica for your reportage on the anti-war demonstration last Thursday by some students at S.M.A.S.H. (and there were one or two John Muir students participating as well, who missed recognition). ("Little Voices Denounce War" March 21)

You were the only one of the many media outlets we have in our small town to say this is Santa Monica news and deserves coverage. More importantly, high praise goes to reporter Jorge Casuso for the professional way he handled it.

Admittedly, I have a bias because my daughter Nicole was one of the ones participating. I didn't even know it was happening until I walked over to pick her up that day. But when I saw there was a reporter there, I was very curious, as a degreed journalist myself, to observe his methods and the questions he asked the participants.

Although it's quite understandable that Casuso got a few names slightly wrong -- the kids were excitedly all talking at once, and he actually did a great job getting names and spellings and matching them to the quotes he very accurately wrote down -- what really impressed me was the way he reported what he saw without adding, subtracting or qualifying.

True journalists are a rare species these days, but Casuso qualifies; what he wrote, and you published, was exactly what happened. On a side note, but an important one: these kids got a lesson in media that will stay with them.

If my daughter had logged onto Surf Santa Monica and read something inaccurate and, more likely, condescending, she would have been very disappointed. Instead, she learned that sometimes, in a fairly reported world, little voices can be heard.

Charles Andrews
Santa Monica

March 22, 2003

Dear Editor,

Educational funding at all levels has become a serious dilemma, but none more damaging than the budget cuts for the state's community colleges. Santa Monica College has taken painful steps to reduce classes, part time staff, academic programs and administrative positions.

To their credit, both the president and the trustees have worked diligently in exploring all possibilities to balance the college's budget, while working with the California legislature to re-establish funding.

Unfortunately, there are some that would have you think otherwise. A minute group of individuals have accused the college administration and the board of trustees as being irresponsible with the budget cuts.

It is understandable that many are angry, but accusing SMC officials is outright foolish. If one is determined to find the responsible party, then look to Sacramento, where Governor Davis decisively ripped through the budget of the community college system.

Placing blame on the ones who have to deal with the Governor's narrow vision is unwarranted and disrespectful.