Don’s Flashlight

Thanks for Don Bauder’s article on the lack of corporate do-goodism (City Lights: “Do Well, Do Good”). As a 20-year Wall Streeter, it turned me into a socialist. Like Einstein said, “Capitalism is predatory.”

Maybe some of our politicians, when taking their trips, should go to the Nordic/Scandinavian countries who, after thousands of years, have developed a conscience about society. Don’s flashlight needs to be replaced by some solar panels, so we keep the light on.

• Teddy Rodosovich
• University City

Gutsy Leadership Sought

One of the News Ticker entries, “Not So Steady as She Goes, Kevin Faulconer,” says that Faulconer could lose voter support if he keeps going with his intentions regarding an increase in the city’s minimum wage.

Is he supposed to care about that? If I were mayor, or any elected position in government, I know that, in a Republican system, or even Democratic, which we are not, it is my obligation to make decisions on the basis of my own values and judgment, regardless of what my constituents want. I’m not naive, but I sure would like to have gutsy leadership!

• Saul Harmon Gritz
• Hillcrest

Explaining Cosplay

In Neighborhood News, it talks about a cosplayer going by the name of Milly Makara (“Comic-Con Cosplayer Didn’t Fall, Says Teen’s Mom”).

You never explain what a cosplayer is. I have no idea what cosplay is. It sounds like something stupid and I really shouldn’t give a shit one way or the other over something so juvenile. I’m just curious seeing an unfamiliar word, as if everyone should know what it means.

If a cosplayer is somebody that plays cos, then, what is cos?

• Name Withheld
• via voicemail

“Cosplay” is an abbreviated splice of the words “costumed play,” for which participants dress up as characters from favorite comic books, films, video games, and other pop-culture media. —Ed.

Something to Hide

I don’t know how to say this. I really love your paper, but who is this Diary of a Diva, Barbarella? My little nephew is here and he wants me to explain to him what smut is. Her article is called “Good Smut” (August 14) and the second sentence of the article begins with, “Fuck, no.”

I don’t think that’s appropriate. I mean, I know you guys are a progressive media, and I love the Reader, but you guys need to tone it down a little bit. I’m trying to figure out how to go back in the other room and tell the little guy what the F word means, and what smut means.

I think you guys can do a little better than this. The Reader is a really good newspaper and it shouldn’t be something I have to hide from a 12-year-old.

• Name Withheld
• via voicemail

They’re Called Ribbons

I was looking at E.J. Pettinger’s Mild Abandon comic in the August 14 issue. Obviously, Mr. Pettinger’s never been in the military.

First of all, they’re called ribbons, not pins. Second, he’s an E3. I’ve never seen an E3 that old in my life, unless he’s been busted down, in which case he would have been discharged anyway. Third, these men are not wearing hats. We do wear hats; they’re called covers, and they are required at all times outdoors or during ceremonies. Fourth, I’m seeing a noncom give another noncom a ribbon, and only officers are authorized to give ribbons. Lastly, those ribbons are not there just to be worn. They’re there to display their achievements to their peers, so they may be honored and looked up to as such.

By the way, I get the humor.

• Matthew De Rouen
• via email

Most Inadequate Review Ever (Potentially)

Re: Movie review, Guardians of the Galaxy

This is potentially the most inadequate review I’ve ever seen for a movie. The entire review is literally a paragraph long. What makes it worse is that the author fails to properly address the issues regarding the film that makes it deserve his perceived one-star rating. He mentions one issue he dislikes.

I think the San Diego Reader can go a long way in replacing the current reviewer with someone with a bit more talent and finesse. A paragraph review on a movie is laughable and blemishes this good site’s name. It’s not only me, check out the Facebook comments where everyone is denouncing the “writer.”

• Name Withheld
• via email

The Real Kato Sushi

My name is Chris Kato. I’m one of the owners of Kato Sushi, both in Pacific Beach and Hillcrest. I came across this article (“Kato Sushi Opens in Hillcrest”) written by Ian Pike (August 11, Feast!).

I have to say I’m a little appalled that someone would write such a shameful letter toward a new business establishment. We spent months, and hundreds of thousands of dollars to open this location. For your publication to almost bash us is beyond me. Maybe it’s because the other places advertise with you guys or something; not sure.

I think we deserve a fair chance. I would like to hear back from someone from your publication and give us a chance to see what the real Kato Sushi is like! We haven’t even launched our full menu yet, consisting of Asian-inspired pizzas, salads, and steaks.

• Chris Kato
• via email

Greedy Gamblers and Dorky Hats

Thank you, Mr. Daugherty, for your exposé of the horse-racing business, “Cost of Doing Business,” (Sporting Box, August 7), along with statistics for drugs and deaths at the track.

Even with all that, it does not even touch the surface of what is an inconvenient truth for all who still defend and take part in this “sport” — the unbearable atrocities and ruthless killing of the many thoroughbreds born each year for the purpose of racing, but who don’t make it to the track for whatever unfortunate reason. Each year 25,000 are bred just for the Kentucky Derby alone. The statistics are staggering when you add all the rest.

Add to that number the ones who are not winners at the track. Now just dead weight to the owner, there might be a few lucky enough to be saved by a good samaritan, but most are not adopted, and/or are found unfit due to injuries or hypertension from training.

Slaughterhouses for horses do not exist in the U.S., but U.S. horses can and are shipped off to Canada or Japan slaughterhouses all the time, and many thousands of these are thoroughbreds. The fear, the horrible conditions, the minutes surrounding their deaths — it is horrific and gruesome.

In closing, the atmosphere of pretentious breeders and owners, socialites, greedy gamblers, and dorky hats is just another insult added to injury. Bob Dylan, there’s a song here. Proclaiming how they love the ponies, love ’em as long as nothing rains on their parade. Such sick bloody irony.

• Jan Olson
• San Ysidro

OK in AFC

Don Bauder’s story “Auditor Luna Gets Snubbed” (City Lights, July 31) didn’t go far enough. It should have told the public about the poisonous influence of City Attorney Jan Goldsmith on Mr. Luna and the audit committee.

Several hundred complaints have been made against city employees on the auditor’s hotline, but Luna must first clear them with Goldsmith before he determines if they are “substantiated.” Of course, Goldsmith is the attorney for the city departments and their employees. He also has the job of “advising” Luna and the audit committee. Anyone with a sixth-grade education can see that is a huge conflict of interest. As a result, hardly any complaints are deemed “substantiated.”

Goldsmith does a great job defending his clients against Luna, whom he “advises.” It is impossible for Goldsmith to honestly represent the auditor and the people he is auditing. But it’s OK in America’s Finest City.

The San Diego ethics commission had the same problem when they first started. But they solved it by obtaining their own legal counsel. The audit committee could do the same thing, but that might make Luna’s investigations legitimate. So they refuse to do so.

Have you seen any penalties levied by the auditor? No. There have been many by the ethics commission, including members of city council.

• Mel Shapiro
• University Heights

Columns within Themselves

A letter to the editor should as succinct as possible. Lately,

letters have been columns within themselves. Please try to edit the letters to a few sentences or limit the number of words per letter.

• Bill Bartkus
• Nestor

Sweetwater Again

I feel it is important to thank the owner and editor of the Reader for the coverage of Sweetwater Union High School District and its many, many, many issues.

Your paper is seen as the saving grace for news in the South Bay — the entire South Bay! While I am sure you have often found yourselves wondering, Sweetwater again?, please understand we are living it.

The Reader is a great source of real factual news. We thank you.

• Mrs. Cheers
• via email