Letters/Online Comments
March 6, 2019
Re: Members of Congress push for E15 education (issue Jan. 25-Feb. 7)
Tell E-15 blends to take a hike!
15% ethanol ruins all marine engines and voids all marine engine manufacturers’ warranty. Say no to E-15!
Kenneth Flerx
Re: A Done Deal: Developers and Orange County Sign Lease for Dana Point Harbor Revitalization (issue Nov. 16-29)
The pitfalls of revitalization
I grew up going to the Harbor and often still go to walk or jog. I am worried that it will become another paid parking rip off like all many other harbors now are…that would be a real shame, but generally this is the upshot of ‘harbor renewal.’
JB
Re: What services can boaters expect during the government shutdown? (issue Jan. 25-Feb. 7)
Kudos to Captain Larson
I am surprised that The Log is letting writers display political opinions, but in this case I would like to thank Captain Larson. She expressed the finding of her trip to Tijuana, “the triple layer border barrier, now topped with ornamental concertina wire.” She also went on to observe that there is “no national emergency” nor are our borders “open.” Thank you Captain Larson for supporting the “wall” or “barrier” at our border from those of us who live right across the USA border. Please speak for us to Congress and show them like you said in The Log, to please secure the other 680 miles plus of unsecured border. Be our voice Captain Larson, especially in The LOG!
Pam Devor
The Great Wall worked for 2000 years – why not build one here?
Since when did Captain Larson become an expert on border security? I teach typing in Astoria and I can assure you the sandbar at the Columbia is safe to cross. Her bio does not say anything about her expertise or service to any branch of the government, military. Gosh. The Great Wall of China worked for 2000 years. Hmmmm. Stick to the dock lines Captain. Or show some proof of what you speak. Not in my beloved Log.
Rick Smith
Re: Huntington Harbour’s first harbor commission meeting slated for this month (issue Feb. 8-21)
A dirty harbor?
Such a deep dirty harbor, maybe they can re-circulate the water?
Jimmy Lewellyn via Facebook
Re: Will dockless scooters and bikes catch on in SoCal’s marinas? (issue Feb. 8-21)
Debris-causing monstrosities
Maybe these companies could donate this debris to third world countries for transportation. I was always dead set against these monstrosities from the very beginning. They are eyesores, trip hazards and trash. Please BAN!!
Matt Tikiman Willis via Facebook
There’s no place on the docks for ‘em
Already banned here in the Marina (Puerto Vallarta). No place on the docks for them and they do not want them used there. Tourist seemed to like them, but many ride them like maniacs – especially the scooters. The other problem is, since they do not own them, they just dump them wherever. Causes a real problem. Great idea, but … .
Mark Henry Sahs via Facebook
Shutdown points out the flaws of government
Several articles of late have called out the problems that arose after the government shutdown. Abstracts left in wait, commercial documentation unable to be processed, and an emergency-only coast guard. But what seems to be missing is anyone noticing that the lack of bureaucracy led to problems sorting through, you guessed it, bureaucracy. Why do we call this “The Land of the Free” when we are so inundated with licenses and permits that we cannot legally continue living our lives when non-essential government is put on hiatus? If anything, we should be asking why government reaches so far into our lives. What is license if not a right taken away and then sold back to us? Furthermore, what other business can function when it carries 800,000 employees deemed “non-essential” on the payroll?
Many of the services put on hold we benefit from. But if there is a demand for these services, the only thing preventing an entrepreneur from filling the market is a monopoly held by the government. If it’s important, people will pay for it voluntarily.
What did we lose in the shutdown? Capt. Nicole Larson expressed her frustration with seeing a moored Coast Guard vessel limited to emergencies and unable to carry out its draconian search and seizure missions (The Log Feb 8-21, 2019). She cites their drug enforcement role, but as Portugal showed us when they legalized all drugs in 2001, (yes, even that one), the best way to win the war on drugs is to not make it a war. She defends their role in keeping charter operations properly trained and inspected. But why the Coast Guard? Why couldn’t a private entity assume this role? Take UL certification for example. UL is a private company and is completely voluntary, but good luck finding an appliance in the US without their testing label. Is government forcing us to pay for and then deal with their agencies, which are rank with ineptitude and inefficiency, rather than letting market demand give us better, and voluntary, options?