Ken Goldman

Re "Camels Play Against Type," June 6: The film "The Weeping Camel," the heartfelt story of the mother camel finally persuaded to feed her newborn: a dairy drama? Ken Goldman Beverly Hills

Re "Budget panel's choices ensure a fight," June 17 As a small part of the budget solution, a long-overdue tax on oil company extraction and an increase in the tax on sales of tobacco are, once again, met with the Republican mantra that "this is not the time for a tax increase." We heard that same tune during the economic boom. Let's see: A tax on Big Oil and Big Tobacco, or eliminating child healthcare programs, aid to the elderly and libraries? Tough choice? Not for me and many Californians.

California has attempted to control its pollution for 20 years with rules and regulations more strict than those adopted nationally. The Republicans now side with the auto manufacturers (Oct. 10) in claiming that California's attempts to cleanse itself are illegal because they go further than those adopted by the federal government. Whatever happened to that good old Republican philosophy of states' rights? When their "philosophy" interferes with their business ties or political base, as with the state-adopted initiatives in Oregon on the right to die or in California on medical marijuana, the Republicans' hypocrisy becomes obvious.

Re "Military Recruiting Bans Seem Doomed," Dec. 7 The Republican-sponsored Solomon Amendment that was argued to the Supreme Court on Tuesday, and that withholds from universities federal grants for education, science and the like if the schools do not allow military recruiting, is another example of Republican hypocrisy. For decades, the Republicans warned about federal government control of local governments, schools and people by withholding federal money. Now that the Republicans are in power, the threat of loss of government funding if others do not follow the federal government guidelines is suddenly just fine.

Re "Military Recruiting Bans Seem Doomed," Dec. 7 The Republican-sponsored Solomon Amendment that was argued to the Supreme Court on Tuesday, and that withholds from universities federal grants for education, science and the like if the schools do not allow military recruiting, is another example of Republican hypocrisy. For decades, the Republicans warned about federal government control of local governments, schools and people by withholding federal money. Now that the Republicans are in power, the threat of loss of government funding if others do not follow the federal government guidelines is suddenly just fine.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's (R-Tenn.) statement that the Republicans would let the assault weapons ban expire (Sept. 9) is shocking in its callous disregard for public safety. His further observation that letting the assault weapons ban expire is consistent "with the will of the American people" is even more shocking in its pandering to the gun crowd and the NRA less than two months before the election. More wedge politics. Ken Goldman Beverly Hills Commenting on Congress' refusal to extend the 10-year-old ban on assault weapons, Frist was quoted as saying it was "the will of the American people" that this law expire.

There has been another assault on our Bill of Rights ("Court Gives Leeway to Interrogate," May 28). In its recent ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court held in the case of Chavez vs. Martinez that the police and government investigators can force a person to talk, as long as those admissions are not used to prosecute the person. According to your article, Justice Clarence Thomas' view is that "despite a common perception, the Constitution does not bar police from using pressure -- short of torture -- to obtain information from suspects or witnesses."

Re "Budget panel's choices ensure a fight," June 17 As a small part of the budget solution, a long-overdue tax on oil company extraction and an increase in the tax on sales of tobacco are, once again, met with the Republican mantra that "this is not the time for a tax increase." We heard that same tune during the economic boom. Let's see: A tax on Big Oil and Big Tobacco, or eliminating child healthcare programs, aid to the elderly and libraries? Tough choice? Not for me and many Californians.

Dave Livengood has been named director of sales for Cox Cable in San Diego and Ken Goldman has joined the marketing department as the system's product manager for basic service.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's (R-Tenn.) statement that the Republicans would let the assault weapons ban expire (Sept. 9) is shocking in its callous disregard for public safety. His further observation that letting the assault weapons ban expire is consistent "with the will of the American people" is even more shocking in its pandering to the gun crowd and the NRA less than two months before the election. More wedge politics. Ken Goldman Beverly Hills Commenting on Congress' refusal to extend the 10-year-old ban on assault weapons, Frist was quoted as saying it was "the will of the American people" that this law expire.

Re "Camels Play Against Type," June 6: The film "The Weeping Camel," the heartfelt story of the mother camel finally persuaded to feed her newborn: a dairy drama? Ken Goldman Beverly Hills

There has been another assault on our Bill of Rights ("Court Gives Leeway to Interrogate," May 28). In its recent ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court held in the case of Chavez vs. Martinez that the police and government investigators can force a person to talk, as long as those admissions are not used to prosecute the person. According to your article, Justice Clarence Thomas' view is that "despite a common perception, the Constitution does not bar police from using pressure -- short of torture -- to obtain information from suspects or witnesses."

California has attempted to control its pollution for 20 years with rules and regulations more strict than those adopted nationally. The Republicans now side with the auto manufacturers (Oct. 10) in claiming that California's attempts to cleanse itself are illegal because they go further than those adopted by the federal government. Whatever happened to that good old Republican philosophy of states' rights? When their "philosophy" interferes with their business ties or political base, as with the state-adopted initiatives in Oregon on the right to die or in California on medical marijuana, the Republicans' hypocrisy becomes obvious.

More than 200 people showed their appreciation of the Beverly Hills Police Department Tuesday, crowding into City Council chambers for the kick-off of a community organization dedicated to supporting the police. The group, Police and Community Together, was formed by a coalition of residents and business people who want to foster community support for the police, speakers said.