MAILBAG - April 13, 2006

Problems of marching clear

I just had to stop by Nativo Lopez’s gathering at Costa Mesa City Hall on April 1 and see for myself what all the fuss was about. I made some mental notes and wish to share some observations.

This gathering has to bring new meaning to the term “preaching to the choir.” I had always assumed one protested to change the opinions of those in authority. Didn’t they know that City Hall was closed? These folks were marching around and around in a circle, chanting slogans to nobody in particular. The irony and symbolism of that fact was not lost on me.

There were maybe 300 or 400 mostly orderly people in attendance. Don’t believe any spin-meister who tries to tell you there were 50,000 or half a million.

I was gratified to see a smattering of American flags being waved among the sea of those honoring Mexico. I’m guessing Lopez and his lieutenants came to realize that tens of thousands of truant school kids waving Mexican flags and marching through the streets of our nation was very much like throwing gasoline on a bonfire to those of us who are forced to pay for the education they weren’t receiving.

I was standing next to a white gentleman holding up a sign proclaiming, “I was stabbed by an illegal Mexican.” One of the marchers offered in return, “I wish he’d have killed you!” Now that’s the way to engender sympathy, positivity and support. Something tells me the nice fellow with the sign won’t be voting any time soon for a congressional representative who espouses amnesty.

A couple of the signs being waved stated, “This is our continent stupid!” Therein lies the problem, in my humble opinion. They really believe we stole El Norte from them way back when and they’re actively ? and some would say successfully ? doing their dead-level best to steal it back from us one birth at a time. Another sign stated, “Today we march, tomorrow we vote.”

Am I the only one who thinks that many may already be doing exactly that?

Suggestion to the protesters: If you want the support of the millions in a position to give it, act like you care more for America than you do for the country you feel you were forced to leave in your search for a better life. Even if you don’t really mean it.

CHUCK CASSITY

Costa Mesa

Marina at Marinapark won’t benefit long-term residents

In response to your April 2 editorial piece on Marinapark, “Going nowhere very slowly over Marinapark,” I felt inclined to offer another viewpoint.

Newport Beach has changed dramatically over the last 50 years. What was once primarily a tourist destination that was reliant on visitors and the money they would spend while here has changed into a city that now flourishes through intellectual business, such as technology and finance, to name a few.

As a resident for more than 30 years, I would like to see our city leaders help our city continue in this direction. Encouraging more of the low-budget tourism that visits the blighted areas of the Newport and Balboa piers does little for the permanent residents of our city.

Turning the Marinapark site into a marina will only add to the mistaken identity that our city is somehow responsible for providing inexpensive recreation for the surrounding communities.

Build a park.

DON MURRAY

Newport Beach

dpt.13-protest-BPhotoInfo5H1PTPVB20060413ix2m0iknDOUGLAS ZIMMERMAN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Christina Juarez of Westminster chants during a march at Costa Mesa City Hall on April 1. Reader Chuck Cassity writes that the protesters were preaching to the choir on a day when City Hall was closed.