Stone tells it like it is and isn't

I need to take exception to Mr. Moomjean’s dual bashing of Oliver Stone and Hugo Chavez (Right Persuasion, 9/24). 

I realize Chavez can pretty much be dinged at will. Most U.S. media cover Latin America only sporadically, if at all, so we might be told he eats children for breakfast, and we wouldn’t know better. Only independent media would tell a different tale.  

Random example — in 2006, I’m reading that Condoleezza Rice, then secretary of state, accused Chavez of suppressing dissent at the very moment my computer is displaying a Truthout podcast of many thousands of noisy anti-Chavez protesters during the World Social Conference in Caracas. When asked, the marchers proudly told the reporter their names and all disclaimed any fear of retaliation. If Chavez suppressed dissent, he did a mighty poor job of it.

As an inveterate news junkie, I actually know a lot about Chavez and U.S./Venezuelan relations during the Bush administration. Old Hugo had lots of reasons to diss our prez, not the least for helping foment a coup against Chavez himself — one that resulted in the deaths of 17 Venezuelans. Facing unrelenting U.S. hostility, Chavez could hardly be blamed for seeking allies whereever they might be found.

And he might be forgiven for unwisely enjoying himself too much at the U.N. General Assembly when he brought down the house with his “devil” speech to a roar of approval and laughter. W was not a popular president.  

Some American administrations have not acted in our real interest or in keeping with our principles. As tales of torture and illegal actions continue to emerge, who can doubt that the one that ended this January was one of them. Mr. Moomjean’s conflating criticism of its policies with anti-Americanism is a distortion and a smear. We Americans have been misled about Chavez by the same people who misled us about Iraq, which, you may remember, did not have WMD, as

Secretary Rice assured us it did.

So it’s good that Oliver Stone will undo some of the propaganda. Telling the truth is not anti-American, and it’s in our interest to hear it.

Will we get only counter-propaganda to replace it? Chavez as a faultless hero on a white horse?

Oliver Stone is no more a historian than, say, Mel Gibson. But where Gibson’s over-the-top epics malign only those safely dead — King Edward Longshanks [Braveheart], Amerindians [Apocalypto], etc. — Stone creates subtle, believable films of recent history and of people within living memory. And that can be dangerous to the naive.

Did Nixon secretly conspire with the Mafia to assassinate JFK? I don’t think so. But a great actor like Anthony Hopkins and a great filmmaker like Stone can make it seem fact. In contrast, Stone’s low key and tragic “Salvador,” although fiction, presents a truer picture than what those in power presented as fact. There, he countered propaganda rather than producing it.

Stone should be taken for what he is, neither traitor nor oracle, but a brilliant filmmaker who sometimes tells it like it is and sometimes like it isn’t.

Margaret Morris, Ventura

Measure C Doesn’t Stop IKEA or Best Buy
Thank you for printing City Council candidates’ responses to your questionnaire.  I noticed that some candidates have misconceptions about what Measure C does and doesn’t do. 

If passed, Measure C will not prevent a Best Buy or IKEA from opening in Ventura.  Both types of stores (electronics and furniture) are needed in Ventura. What Measure C does is prevent a Walmart superstore on Victoria Avenue. from expanding to more than 90,000 square feet and selling nontaxable goods and groceries on more than 3 percent of its floor space to compete with established stores that already sell the same type of products. Stores like IKEA belong near the auto center area, not on Victoria.

If Measure C fails, Walmart can expand to a store three times the size of the Ralphs across the street — with only four votes from the City Council. Eighteen-wheeler trucks will be traveling day and night on Victoria Avenue. 

The traffic on Victoria is already clogging the road at peak hours, and we anticipate residents complaining to the city council about the noise, pollution and truck activity 24 hours a day in their neighborhood.

Sale tax issue: There has only been one economic impact study done on Ventura’s retail sector. Tax revenues were analyzed by two highly regarded economists from major universities. Their conclusion, based on Ventura’s actual retail market, is that Ventura is saturated with general merchandise retailers and a Walmart would not bring in additional sales tax revenue to the city. Instead, it would cannibalize our existing businesses. The claim of increased sales tax money from a Walmart is a myth that is based on nothing — no creditable evidence whatsoever.

Vote YES on Measure C to stop the Walmart superstore.

Carol Lindberg, member, Livable Ventura

What’s your point, Moomjean?
What’s in a name?

“Go fuck yourself.” — replied Dick Cheney to senior Congressman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) when he was called out about Halliburton. In his latest rant (Right Persuasion, 10/1) — an underhanded attempt to excuse/agree/support Joe Wilson’s childish and racist outburst to our commander in chief at an official address — Mr. Moomjean also forgot to mention G.W. Bush’s “He’s a first-class asshole,” referring to the journalist at the White House press conference over an open mic. I recall the Nixon tapes were teeming with profanities so plentiful they almost smothered the lies and deceit.

It seems that Paul is actually attempting to surreptitiously propagate the misinformation regarding illegals and government health benefit … as I’d expect he would with “death panels” and “birthers.” I guess Paul missed the FOX News story where Joe Wilson recanted his side-stepping apology for his reprehensible outburst. My point is, Paul, what’s your point? I don’t buy that you honestly believe the name calling should stop … you’re just using it to camouflage your hate speech.

And while we’re at it, Paul, how about we keep the political debate within reality and out of movie land. With the possible exception of Capitalism - A Love Story, which I expect will hold some well-researched, valuable, nonfictional information — I will certainly pay the $9 to see this — perhaps Paul should actually see movies, too, before he condemns them. Last week, Paul was railing on Oliver Stone, suggesting he should be charged with treason — even after Mr. Stone was so darn nice to George the 2nd in his flat movie ”W”, much to the dismay of us libs. But, of course, you’ll hear no mention from Paul of that work, or Nixon, or any other of his 22 films that might not support Moomjean’s thin and baseless claims to righteousness.

So you know what, Paul, I’m sure he’s your hero … why don’t you do what Dick says?

Chris Jensen, Ventura

Be the change
Normally, at this time of the year, I would comment on the upcoming elections. This year, I would like to comment on what I see as just as important. And it’s this: “I am extremely grateful for the number of people and companies that volunteer, or step up, when needed in our community.” The recent River Haven dome project — where so many volunteers showed up on Sept. 19 and 26 and again on Oct. 3 — was just one example of this. The volunteer turnout to assist

Turning Point Foundation’s endeavor was incredible.

I was in a meeting two months ago, planning for the River Haven dome project. And as the meeting went on, it struck me, I have been in Ventura for roughly 20 years, and I have lost count of the number of meetings I have been at where I have heard about people volunteering their time, restaurants donating their meals, businesses providing free or discounted materials, businesses sponsoring an event, service clubs donating dollars and talent, the Seabees donating their time and expertise, etc. When the Washington School was renovated and restored as the Ventura County Christian High School several years ago, roofers donated their time, talent and material. I have witnessed this time and time again. It is spiritually renewing and uplifting to live in a community where this takes place.

Yes, a month from now we will have local elections, and participation at the ballot box is important. But so, too, is involvement in our community from those who are so willing to step up and pitch in to improve the lives of others.

As chair of the Ventura Social Services Task Force, I am aware of the role our city government can play in addressing issues related to homelessness. I am even more aware of the tipping point for accomplishing the goals outlined in the 10-year plan to end homelessness, which will more likely be the result of continued increased involvement from residents, from faith-based organizations and from nonprofit organizations. This involvement can complement the efforts put forth by our city government.

Back to the 26th of September — the River Haven project was one of many that day — thanks to United Way’s Day of Caring. What I saw at River Haven brought to mind words often attributed to Mahatma Gandhi — that is, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” I will say, “We are fortunate that in our community we have so many willing to be that change.”

John S. Jones, Ventura