Everyone knows how divided we are as a nation

Tolerance versus civility

It is interesting, although not being the main point of this article about civility in public discourse (“The case for civility,” City Lights, November 14) that the author used some rather unmemorable examples of what he considers uncivil public discourse. Examples slanted against the left when there seems to be daily examples of political uncivility, sometimes several, coming from the president himself. statements designed to divide public discourse with a toxic edge. Everyone knows how divided we are as a nation, and to the point of the article, the need for civility in all parts of life are of a major necessity. However, to put a simpler point on the distinction between civility and toleration, civility allows us to debate, with an effort to change the others viewpoint, while being polite and courteous. Tolerance allows us to accept each others’ differences without an effort or need to change them.

• Michael Myers
• Vista

Historic complications

Kudos to Joe Deegan for taking a complicated subject -- historic districts -- and explaining it in plain English (“Outdoor museums that don’t pay for themselves,” Cover Story, November 14). The process by which the city designates a historic district is a hodgepodge of municipal code provisions, un-codified (and seemingly inaccessible) policy memoranda, which by design or result make it impossible for a homeowner to figure out how to oppose a historic district designation. The playing field isn’t level. Moreover, the mandate of the Historical Resources Board isn’t clear - is its authority limited to approving an application brought by a property owner to designate a property as a historic resource, or does the Board have the authority to designate a property a historic resource over the objection of the property owner? The city should not designate someone’s primary residence a historical resource over the objection of the homeowner, yet that’s exactly what the city is doing.

• Gary Roberts
• Golden Hill

Backstretch bummer

I opened the Reader to get an idea of what I could enjoy at the Grossmont Theater today. Before I had a chance to read about any movie, Bohemian Rhapsody, which I’ve already seen, caught my eye (Movie Review). I read it in disbelief.... :( Wow did S.M. get it wrong for me. I enjoyed that movie! I thought it was interesting, sensational and resounding! S.M. spent some time reviewing the production backstretch more than the presentation. And questioning the source I found that all the people listed as reviewers are men! Geez, no wonder. In the future I will scoff at reviews by the Reader and in particular by S.M.

Bummer.

• Stacey Ann Turner
• La Mesa

Third world roadie

I travel a lot at the street level in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile using Google Earth (“What it takes to fill a pothole,” Neighborhood News, August 10). Some claim these countries to be Third World. If that is true, why are their streets so much better than those in San Diego? Does the San Diego city budget get audited by an indecent firm? Whose is pocketing the dollars that should be going to fix the streets?

• Roger Newell
• College View

Depression among pigs

Scientists from Purdue University did a study on pigs and “found they crave affection and are easily depressed” (Rifkin, 2003). As a result of the study, the European Union outlawed keeping pigs in stalls. Oxford University did a study using two birds that “were given a choice between two tools” (Rifkin, 2003). Not only did the birds choose the tools, but they also picked the better tool. I think we should not treat animals bad because they are like a human being in some ways (“Accused of hurting dogs, $1 million bail,” Neighborhood News, August 10). It is clear to me that because animals have some human characteristics, they should be treated kind. In order to solve the issue of animal cruelty, we must not treat animals badly . This is because they are like a human being in some ways.

• Brenda
• City Heights