Mailbag: Republicans twisted account of Obama visit

After reading the Daily Pilot, I am amazed at how the anti-Obama demonstrators twist and create their own reality.

As I drove to an early morning appointment Feb. 16, I observed many people with pro-Obama signs all along East Coast Highway. I drove by again about 10:15 a.m., after my appointment, and noticed people still standing and sitting on the sidewalks, from Poppy Avenue to Newport Coast Road, waiting for President Obama to drive back to the airport.

Although I didn’t count exactly — as I was driving — the majority of these demonstrators were holding signs in support of the president. I remain amazed that Republicans blame the “liberal” press and leave no room for finding common ground.

We, either Democrat, Republican, Independent, Green Party, or whoever, all care about our country. Politics are not black and white, and we all need to have a civil conversation concerning the issues of America.

Annie Quinn

Newport Beach

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Letters show both sides

I want to thank the Daily Pilot for publishing letters both pro and con regarding President Obama’s visit to our community. Publishing them shows the diversity in our community and the sad realism that we as Americans are so divided in our thinking. I actually feel that I read a lot of right-leaning articles in the Daily Pilot. Interesting.

Darren Gordon

Costa Mesa

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Government should not be ‘lean’

Our democratic republic was designed by its founders to be inefficient. This is why they created three countervailing branches of government: the legislative, the executive and the judicial. This was done to protect the rights of the individual and of minority interests from the tyranny of the majority. In our system, acts and ideas are tested in many ways prior to final implementation. Dictatorships are lean and efficient. Get over it.

Lance Jencks

Costa Mesa

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Put Hubbard to work in jail

It seems agreed that Jeffrey Hubbard was a talented and effective administrator, and that his crime is a career-buster.

What a shame. At 55! A loss for him and society.

My recommendation: After his first 15 days in jail, he should be given a job. Tragic and stupid to spend all that time at the usual solitaire, schmoozing and TV. He should report on a regular schedule to the warden’s office to be a consultant on what he sees wrong with jail (any and all aspects) and advise on how to fix such things. Much needs to be fixed.

Coming from a jailbird with sharp insights, this would be a valuable public service. And could be a career reopener for him. A win-win!

John Guy LaPlante

Newport Beach