Saratoga News

Letters & Opinions

Speak Out

Rumsfeld should have
left a long time ago

Eleanor Traeg must be one of the few people in the entire world sorry to see Rumsfeld leave ("Praise for Rumsfeld's performance," letters, Dec. 2). This man was one of the chief architects of our country's stupidest adventure, the invasion and subsequent destruction of Iraq. For the first time in history, the United States unilaterally and preemptively attacked a sovereign country that did not threaten our national security. In doing so we have essentially lost the goodwill of the entire world. Rumsfeld and some others lost the goodwill of the entire world. Rumsfeld and some others should have been eased out long ago so we can start recovering from this unbelievable fiasco.

Terry Zaccone

Anza Drive

Marchetti says she
'never complained'

First, I would like to congratulate Jill Hunter, Kathleen King and Chuck Page on being elected onto city council. I am sure that they will do a fine job for Saratoga (with the input of the citizens).

In response to the Dec. 27 "Year In Review" article in the Saratoga News, I would like to say again that I did not complain about the signs at Congress Springs.

What actually happened: All the candidates were on a field trip with [City Manager] Dave Anderson visiting the parks of Saratoga (part of a wonderful series of candidate training sessions the city conducts). As we approached the signs at Congress Springs and saw a specific sign that had the words "city council," I asked (along with others), "Is that sign considered political?" We had all just been warned about political signs in public areas earlier that morning. I even said, "I would like to inquire about the cost of placing a sign at the park." Dave Anderson said, "Hold off until I check on it." Next thing I knew the signs were taken down because Dave found out that there was an ordinance against signs in the parks, and someone else had called in and complained. I never complained and Dave Anderson will confirm that.

We all worked to get the ordinance changed to allow signs back into Congress Springs as quickly as possible. There was never a threat of keeping the signs out of the park or the sports teams not getting the sponsorship money that helps them keep afloat, as stated in the Year In Review article. Our city's wonderful sports teams depend on our support in this manner and in many other ways.

I will continue to be involved in this city that I am so passionate about, and I encourage others to become involved. Together we can make a difference.

Marilyn Marchetti

St. Charles Street

Many questions
about Rumsfeld

Eleanor Traeg praises former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld ("Praise for Rumsfeld's performance," letters, Dec. 2), asserting that "time will tell a different story" about his job performance. Oh, really?

Ms. Traeg, exactly how will time erase Rumsfeld's blind faith in the existence of Iraqi WMDs? How will the passing years subtly re-shade his flawed plans to invade Iraq with fewer troops than called for by his own generals, on fewer fronts than were prudent, with inadequate body and vehicle armor, alongside the insufficient forces of non-combatant allies? How will time undo the post-invasion looting of Iraq's capitol city? How will time cover up the Abu Ghraib scandal? How will time refund his short-changing of the Afghan campaign? How will time recast his failure to capture Osama Bin Laden? And most importantly, how will time revive our 3,000-plus American battle dead, the vast majority of which were killed by a religiously motivated civil war, which your hero, Mr. Rumsfeld, utterly failed to anticipate? The world wonders.

William Lorton

Los Angeles

Everyone must help
to support Village

Last year a survey was paid for by the city council with many questions about our Village and how residents felt about it. Close to 80 percent of the respondents felt that the Village was the "heart of Saratoga." Those of us who volunteer in the Village on a weekly basis agree, but it is up to all of us to keep our Village vital.

Did you know:

* There are 26 retail stores in the Village (that does not mean hair salons, spas or restaurants--the number would then grow to over 50). Those 26 stores need our patronage desperately. If just a small percentage of the 30,000 Saratogans would shop in the Village once a week, it would be an enormous help. Our Village merchants are friendly and helpful and would be more than willing to accommodate our needs. It is true there is no drug store or hardware store, but people generally want large box stores for those needs. Our mom and pop stores need our support now.

* Consider volunteering in our Village; those of us who do absolutely love it. For those who volunteer in the schools now, come to the Village as I did when your children leave home! We are having a wonderful fashion show at the Foothill Club on Feb. 11 with fashions by Flobell and our own local models. The proceeds go to the Village projects--plaques for historic buildings, music at our monthly events, etc. Become involved with these activities. We have a great group doing this and the rewards are many. Call me at 408.741.1213 if you would like to help, or email me at jhunter@yahoo.com for more information.

* When you take a walk through the Village pick up a piece of trash. If we all took an interest in our Village it would look much neater and tidier. Take the deadhead off the flower!

Jill Hunter

Lomita Avenue

Kao appreciates efforts
to keep library open

I am writing this letter to publicly thank the support from "Friends of Saratoga Libraries." Because of their funding donation, Saratoga Library is now open seven days a week for 2007 and 2008 and we are the only library in Santa Clara County that opens on Mondays.

I am impressed with this private group that undertakes an enormous effort in supplementing a public service and I am grateful for their generosity of giving time, energy and money to provide one additional day each week for us to learn, absorb and enjoy the endless ocean of knowledge.

Saratoga is such a special place because Saratogans do extraordinary things out of the love and passion for our community. Thank you, Friends of the Saratoga Libraries and staff of Saratoga Library.

Aileen Kao, Mayor

City of Saratoga