Letters


• No War Against the Facts - A Venice, California landowner and taxpayer
• Phil's Last Letter - Phil Chamberlin
• From Phil's Daughter - Serena Saltzman
• Pesky Page Seven - Beachhead Collective
• Junk Mail from G.W. Bush
• Notable women of Venice - Emily Winters
• More Notable Women - Chuck Bloomquist
• Stop Lincoln Center - Laura Silagi
• The War at Home - C.V. Beck


The back page ad of your March 2003 edition stating “No War Against Women, No War Against Iraq” pretty much sums up the lack of intelligence that you and your publication exhibit. How about a headline reading “No War Against The Facts.”

Why don't you move to Iraq and try to have an opinion of any sort, let alone an opinion protecting the rights of women, or protesting government policy. You would quickly be imprisoned or executed. Iraq is a dictatorship, in case you haven't watched the news since 1968. Saddam kills his own people with poisonous gas. Saddam funds terrorism, i.e. $25,000 checks to the families of homicide bombers. He produces weapons of mass destruction, and is a global threat. Remember that little invasion of Kuwait in 1991 called the Gulf War?

America is at risk. President Bush is doing his job, which is first and foremost to defend America. Have you already forgotten the 3,000 innocent lives that were murdered on 9-11? What about the horrific destruction of the American economy since 9-11? Or do you want to blame 9-11 on President Bush? Al Qaida and the terrorist network and cold blooded killers, plain and simple.

Seems the only thing you “liberal finger pointers” do is piss and moan about everything democratic. Take your free speech, pack your bags, buy a 'burka', and go live in Afghanistan or Pakistan for awhile. Maybe then you will respect America, the country that you don't support.

Sincerely,

A Venice, California landowner and taxpayer

The Beachhead Collective has waived its usual policy of requiring a name (which may be withheld) for reasons which are obvious.

*************
Phil's last letter

From Phil Chamberlin:

Dear Jim and Comrades:

Way to go! with your leap into cyber space.  One small step for Venetians, infinite miles for humanity.
I am thrilled by what you all have done, and I imagine you did most of the tech stuff, so personally to you, Jim, CONGRATS!

Expect a small piece of paper with numbers on it. (Not many zeroes, unfortunately).
Love to all the volunteers.

Phil Chamberlin

************
From Phil's Daughter

Dear Beachhead,

My father Philip Chamberlin wanted you to be notified in the event of his passing. He passed away the morning of Saturday the 22nd, peacefully in his apartment in Arcata, with no pain. I'm sure he would send out a message of peace to all his friends, and to the world.

Serena Saltzman

(See an appreciation by Carol Fondiller, page 8.)

**************

Pesky Page Seven

Readers were quick to point out that we made three mistakes on page seven last month.

1. We praised the L.A. City Council for passing an anti-war resolution and gave a big cheer to Venice resident and former councilmember from Venice ... but left out Ruth Galanter’s name! Thanks, Ruth.

2. We left off photo credit for the great picture of the Radical Teen Cheerleaders. It was shot by Alfred Benjamin.

3. Our article about the Lysistrata Project neglected to mention that it was being put on at the Pacific Resident Theater, 703 Venice Blvd. And a great performance it was!

–Beachhead Collective

*************

Junk Mail from G.W. Bush

IMMEDIATE ATTENTION NEEDED:
HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL

FROM: GEORGE WALKER BUSH
DEAR SIR /MADAM,

I AM GEORGE WALKER BUSH, SON OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA GEORGE HERBERT WALKER BUSH, AND CURRENTLY SERVING AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THIS LETTER MIGHT SURPRISE YOU BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT MET NEITHER IN PERSON NOR BY CORRESPONDENCE. I CAME TO KNOW OF YOU IN MY SEARCH FOR A RELIABLE AND REPUTABLE PERSON TO HANDLE A VERY CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS TRANSACTION, WHICH INVOLVES THE TRANSFER OF A HUGE SUM OF MONEY TO AN ACCOUNT REQUIRING MAXIMUM CONFIDENCE.

I AM WRITING YOU IN ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE PRIMARILY TO SEEK YOUR ASSISTANCE IN ACQUIRING OIL FUNDS THAT ARE PRESENTLY TRAPPED IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRAQ. MY PARTNERS AND I SOLICIT YOUR ASSISTANCE IN COMPLETING A TRANSACTION BEGUN BY MY FATHER, WHO HAS LONG BEEN ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE EXTRACTION OF PETROLEUM IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND BRAVELY SERVED HIS COUNTRY AS DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED STATES CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY.

IN THE DECADE OF THE NINETEEN-EIGHTIES, MY FATHER, THEN VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, SOUGHT TO WORK WITH THE GOOD OFFICES OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF IRAQ TO REGAIN LOST OIL REVENUE SOURCES IN THE NEIGHBORING ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN. THIS UNSUCCESSFUL VENTURE WAS SOON FOLLOWED BY A FALLING OUT WITH HIS IRAQI PARTNER, WHO SOUGHT TO ACQUIRE ADDITIONAL OIL REVENUE SOURCES IN THE NEIGHBORING EMIRATE OF KUWAIT, A WHOLLY-OWNED U.S.-BRITISH SUBSIDIARY.

MY FATHER RE-SECURED THE PETROLEUM ASSETS OF KUWAIT IN 1991 AT A COST OF SIXTY-ONE BILLION U.S. DOLLARS ($61,000,000,000). OUT OF THAT COST, THIRTY-SIX BILLION DOLLARS ($36,000,000,000) WERE SUPPLIED BY HIS PARTNERS IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA AND OTHER PERSIAN GULF MONARCHIES, AND SIXTEEN BILLION DOLLARS ($16,000,000,000) BY GERMAN AND JAPANESE PARTNERS. BUT MY FATHER'S FORMER IRAQI BUSINESS PARTNER REMAINED IN CONTROL OF THE REPUBLIC OF IRAQ AND ITS PETROLEUM RESERVES.

MY FAMILY IS CALLING FOR YOUR URGENT ASSISTANCE IN FUNDING THE REMOVAL OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF IRAQ AND ACQUIRING THE PETROLEUM ASSETS OF HIS COUNTRY, AS COMPENSATION FOR THE COSTS OF REMOVING HIM FROM POWER. UNFORTUNATELY, OUR PARTNERS FROM 1991 ARE NOT WILLING TO SHOULDER THE BURDEN OF THIS NEW VENTURE, WHICH IN ITS UPCOMING PHASE MAY COST THE SUM OF 100 BILLION TO 200 BILLION DOLLARS ($100,000,000,000 - $200,000,000,000), BOTH IN THE INITIAL ACQUISITION AND IN LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT.

WITHOUT THE FUNDS FROM OUR 1991 PARTNERS, WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ACQUIRE THE OIL REVENUE TRAPPED WITHIN IRAQ. THAT IS WHY MY FAMILY AND OUR COLLEAGUES ARE URGENTLY SEEKING YOUR GRACIOUS ASSISTANCE. OUR DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUES IN THIS BUSINESS TRANSACTION INCLUDE THE SITTING VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, RICHARD CHENEY, WHO IS AN ORIGINAL PARTNER IN THE IRAQ VENTURE AND FORMER HEAD OF THE HALLIBURTON OIL COMPANY, AND CONDOLEEZA RICE, WHOSE PROFESSIONAL DEDICATION TO THE VENTURE WAS DEMONSTRATED IN THE NAMING OF A CHEVRON OIL TANKER AFTER HER.

I WOULD BESEECH YOU TO TRANSFER A SUM EQUALING TEN TO TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT (10-25 %) OF YOUR YEARLY INCOME TO OUR ACCOUNT TO AID IN THIS IMPORTANT VENTURE. THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL FUNCTION AS OUR TRUSTED INTERMEDIARY. I PROPOSE THAT YOU MAKE THIS TRANSFER BEFORE THE FIFTEENTH (15TH) OF THE MONTH OF APRIL.

I KNOW THAT A TRANSACTION OF THIS MAGNITUDE WOULD MAKE ANYONE APPREHENSIVE AND WORRIED. BUT I AM ASSURING YOU THAT ALL WILL BE WELL AT THE END OF THE DAY. A BOLD STEP TAKEN SHALL NOT BE REGRETTED, I ASSURE YOU. PLEASE DO BE INFORMED THAT THIS BUSINESS TRANSACTION IS 100% LEGAL. IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO CO-OPERATE IN THIS TRANSACTION, PLEASE CONTACT OUR INTERMEDIARY REPRESENTATIVES TO FURTHER DISCUSS THE MATTER.

I PRAY THAT YOU UNDERSTAND OUR PLIGHT. MY FAMILY AND OUR COLLEAGUES WILL BE FOREVER GRATEFUL. PLEASE REPLY IN STRICT CONFIDENCE TO THE CONTACT NUMBERS BELOW.

SINCERELY WITH WARM REGARDS,

GEORGE WALKER BUSH

Switchboard: 202.456.1414 Comments: 202.456.1111 Fax: 202.456.2461 Email: president@whitehouse.gov

*************

Notable women of Venice (see March issue)

Dear Beachhead Collective;

I appreciate, I am honored, and I am much humbled by your including me as a “Notable Woman in Venice History.”  I don't feel as deserving as the others on your list, but I must admit I was most surprised and flattered by this honor.  Thank you all for your confidence in me.

I would like to add that Mary Lou Johnson was more than just a great party giver. She put on some very powerful parties of performance art and used the life around her, like her house, to rabble-rouse and stir up trouble for the profiteers.

 To name a few: (Hiroshima Day recognition with a candle light walk through the canals ending with launching floating lanterns (your writing the name of a deceased one close to you  on it) into the canals, a huge paper mache crying duck on the old barge, a large low, resounding gong, and poetry that brought us all to tears.) She drove her uppity chi-chi neighbors and the local real estaters crazy with her Xmas Creche statement of a homeless woman and her shopping cart filled with meager possessions right in front of her house and the sign on her house “This house is not for sale, eat your heart out,” she did many creative and dedicated activities to better our world.

I would like to suggest three other women I find notable knickers twisters, at least to me:

Carol Fondiller, community artist and activist, who has given so much of herself for years toward the causes of the poor, low income housing, the disabled, to name a few.  Her wonderful, wonderful writing and unique performances....... styled with humor, satire, creating new words for us like “aflu-hip” has enlightened and entertained us, and enriched our lives and bettered our struggles.

Susan Millman is not only a Venice activist but has been a very active attorney for low income housing and family law. She and Steve Clare, with other volunteers, founded and ran the Venice Tenant Action Center advising low income tenants of their rights, settling landlordtenant disputes, to the consternation of those greedy profiteers who were sure they could take advantage of the poor.  Susan is an advocate against domestic violence.

Linda Lucks is a well-know Venice Activist for many, many years.

Maryjane also a well-known dedicated Venice artist/activist rabble-rouser that has annoyed the profiteering chi-chi for longer than they would like to be.

The dedication and love you are all giving of yourselves to the Beachhead content and overall look is the best yet.

Thank you again!  

With love and affection,  

Emily Winters

*************

More Notable Women

Dear Beachhead Collective,

It seems to me that you left out

Pearl White
Flora Chavez
Maryjane
Linda Lucks
my wife Terry Bloomquist
and our own Carol Fondiller
as well as a host of others I will probably think of moments after I send this.

Chuck Bloomquist

*************

Stop Lincoln Center

Dear Venice Residents:

A massive new development has been proposed on Lincoln Blvd. in our neighborhood. Developers are proposing to tear down everything from the 7-Eleven at Palms and Lincoln to the Fifties Café at Lincoln and Lake, and build 6-story, multi-use commercial/residential structures (including 280 luxury ocean-view apartments) on the current site of the Rite Aid store, Ralphs Supermarket, and Ross Dress for Less. These buildings would be 80 feet in height, twice as high as the Boys and Girls Club on Lincoln near Venice Blvd. and almost three times as high as the Staples Building at Lincoln at Palms.

In order to build, the developer must first get a zone change, a conditional use permit and a variance. The maximum height allowed is now 40 feet, and the developer is asking to be allowed to build to 80 feet. They are asking to be allowed to have store operations and deliveries 24 hours a day. They are asking for permission to erect four 40 foot high signs, and the reduce the required 50 per cent of window space to 15 per cent. This would mean a massive, fortress like structure that will cast shadows on houses and apartments, cut off views of the mountains, and increase the already huge traffic problems on Lincoln Blvd. and surrounding streets.

A public hearing on the developer's requests will be held Monday, April 7th at 9:00 a.m. at the West Los Angeles Municipal Building, 2nd Floor Hearing Room, 1645 Corinth Avenue, L.A.90025

It is important that we make the biggest showing possible at this meeting, so please come out and speak. If you plan on speaking, put your comments in writing and bring them with you.

If you can’t attend the meeting on April 7th, please write a letter stating your opposition to this project. The letter should refer to case No. CPC 1999-0210-ZC-CU-YV, and be addressed as follows: John Foreman, Los Angeles City Planning Department Community Planning Bureau, Room 621, City Hall, 200 North Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012

Laura Silagi

**************

THE WAR AT HOME

RE:  PROPOSED LINCOLN CENTER “REDEVELOPMENT” IN VENICE, CA.    

Under siege again in Venice...for those who are interested, this is our situation, in the middle of a “pincers movement” between the “Lincoln Place Horror of 17+ Years” and the new “Lincoln Center Redevelopment”, the Oakwood Community and the BEACH, are the PEOPLE, the long-term “old residents” of Venice.  This is what we are confronted with, again.  

The war on the home front is like this:  

1) LINCOLN PLACE - 17 + years of pain,suffering, illness, injuries and accelerated mortality

2) LINCOLN CENTER - in addition to (1) above, ANOTHER 10+ years of sheer hell, if (2) is passed.

3) THE BATTLE OF SAN JUAN AVENUE - (small “give-aways” DO ADD UP!) Why the lax enforcement of the laws? courtesy of our City's Planning Department's “friends of the Mayor”?   And then, what is called (a) VVLI, (b) VLI, (c)LI and (d) MEDIAN and (3) MODERATE  (Los Angeles County 2002 income bands for “affordable” housing) and where do the SENIORS AND DISABLED, fit into this picture? Keep in mind that WOMEN are being affected disproportionately though all of this.  

“True affordability” of housing, across the spectrum from VVLI, VLI, LI, Median, Moderate and then, I guess, the “Sky's the Limit!” I think we only need to concern ourselves with “Very, Very Low Income, Very Low Income” and “Low Income.” Clearly, Median, Moderate and “LUXURY” can take care of themselves!  

“LINCOLN CENTER” developers have reluctantly, begrudgingly, disrespectfully” tossed the citizens of Venice a crumb of what they are presenting as allegedly “affordable housing,” at the “moderate level”, 20% for an unknown period of time, and not locked in.   

In reality, what we do need is MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, PLEASE AND NOT MORE LUXURY.  I believe that a 30-40% across-the-spectrum of VVLI, VLI AND LI would be more acceptable in addressing the unmet needs of affordable housing. I really don't think we need a new Ralph's or a new Ross. The ones we already have are fine. The only improvements I see to be needed, are faster, more efficient checkouts. The Wherehouse might make a very nice cafe, restaurant or jazz club, the parking is already there.  

Is there a separate category for Seniors-Disabled? This was not addressed by the “developer,” Sam Adams.  
Finally, the above categories (from vvli through li) fulfill what I believe to be the “REALISTIC RENT RATES”. The other stuff, what they call “MARKET,” is really off the dish for us but apparently not for them. 
This could change in the very near future if the Big War comes to pass. I personally don't think that “LUXURY” is “MARKET,” I believe it is “ABOVE-MARKET,” part of a deliberately-created housing shortage, and NOT REALISTIC.  But hey, if you've got it, I guess you can spend it on an overpriced apartment, if you want to, but why not buy a house instead? 

I still don't get it.  

Sincerely,  
C.V. Beck, a disabled resident of Venice

Posted: Tue - April 1, 2003 at 06:55 PM          

©