MAILBAG - Jan. 18, 2008

Drummed out of the wilderness at Big Sur

In response to the letter “Drumming up support for beach percussion,” (Coastline Pilot, Jan. 11), over the past holiday season I had the opportunity to get away (or so I thought) from all the noise and fast pace of downtown Laguna to meet a friend in California’s Big Sur and do some camping, hiking and relaxation.

This was clearly not to be the case, as a group of mostly young men and women occupied the campsite next to me at Plaskett Creek. It started with three hours of Bob Marley followed by another three of Cat Stevens and then the bongos and drums came out. New Year’s Eve went to 1:30 a.m. with the nonstop boc boca boc of the drums.

For those of you who haven’t been to Big Sur, it is one of the closest and yet unspoiled places that is within a six-hour drive of here. You hear stellar jays and pounding surf in the distance. Most in the campground were “all quiet” way before the 10-6 noise curfew.

Just like the homeowner who lived on the hill and paid millions for his house and lot, I paid my $22 a night “” for what? So I can listen to the constant banging of drums? Don’t get me wrong, I love loud music, and my 1500-watt stereo will practically blow the windows out in my truck thanks to some healthy subwoofers.

Does this mean I can go to San Onofre and force people there to enjoy the day to accept and listen to my music? Certainly not. People have the right to peace and quiet. Just because you skin-pounders think it is cool doesn’t mean we all have to listen to it.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have a sheriff in town up there, which meant we had to endure the drunken rowdy crowd. If it were a state park and not U.S. Forest Service, the rangers would have intervened.

I will find the road less traveled and find a remote campsite far away from everyone else so I may enjoy the “music of nature,” not a bunch of drunks and drums.

My recommendation to drummers is to find the road MORE traveled: somewhere like Ocatilla Wells or another part of the desert where the drum beats will be drowned out by the drunks and dirt bikes of those who aren’t there to get away “” just drink, go and play.

JAMES DANE

Laguna Beach

Exhibit showcases inspiring art by seniors

Whatever you do, don’t miss the 2008 Senior Art Exhibit, now showing on the second floor of Wells Fargo Bank, on Ocean Avenue. You will be surprised and happy you took time to see what is really a wealth of good art done by local seniors, open to the public when the bank is open.

I was having a delicious blueberry bagel on the bench under the Irma Nofziger memorial pepper tree on Ocean and two people came by and were talking about the Senior Art show, so I walked down to Wells Fargo, went up the grand staircase and was surprised and happy to see such beautiful and artistic work.

Patty Koss, our city’s Senior Services Coordinator, and many others have done a great job putting the exhibit together, and now it’s our turn to enjoy the talents of many senior artists, including 16 new entrants. The exhibit closes Jan. 31 (too bad it can’t run longer), so take some time out and treat yourself.

Laguna Beach

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Editor lacks respect for U.S. sovereignty

[Regarding Cindy Frazier’s column, “Questioning legal status was appropriate,” Coastline Pilot, Jan. 11]

Do you know what the difference is between a national from any country applying for U.S. citizenship and a national from any country who breaks the law and demands permanent legal status in the U.S.?

I would like to read articles that actually support the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America. Articles that maintain the quality of life that illegal immigrants claim to come to our generous country for.

A national from any country applying for U.S. citizenship:

This person wants to join, belong, pledge allegiance, and have the means to grow through the process.

Join: become part of the culture, learn the language so they can be successful;

Grow: merge into the melting pot that was the United States of America. I say “was” because people like you hold no value for the gift of sovereignty.

If you did, you would have more respect for Americans trying to hold onto it. You would understand what it means.

A national from any country that breaks the law and demands permanent legal status in the U.S.

The attitude of accepting the lawlessness and disrespect for our nation and its laws, by breaking into this generous country like a thief in the night, brings to mind the incidents of American women being raped at the center divider of a major freeway, American women raped repeatedly in their own home by a national who broke into our country, being a thief in the night, it brings to mind American police officers being killed in cold blood on the streets in front of law-abiding American citizens, it brings to mind an American man stabbed on the street in Laguna Beach, it brings to mind Veterans Day weekend, a Mexican truck trying to use the free pass to bring eight tons of marijuana into the U.S. through the Calexico border (San Diego Tribune, Nov. 10).

These are not abrasions [i.e., exceptions]; these and other acts of lawlessness are happening throughout the U.S. and most specifically in California daily.

People like you expect our Border Patrol agents to take being shot at, rocks thrown at them, stabbed by people breaking the law, and “” if they think about defending themselves “” being maliciously prosecuted and thrown in jail.

You would fairly report, objectively, both sides of an issue. Real journalists have disappeared. I hope to see this comment posted. If I don’t, it means you are exactly what I think you are.

These are just a few thoughts that I think are more important than bashing Americans who want nationals from any country to come and apply for citizenship in the United States of America.

Laguna Niguel