Opinion
Corrections:

    A cast member in "A Midsummer's Night Dream" was misidentified in the Nov. 14 edition due to a reporting error. She is senior Monique Thomas. An article in the Nov. 14 edition misinterpreted City Council member Cheryl Kinsman's absence from the cast of "Lagunatics." She had not been asked to participate. Full Story
Your monetary "vote" means everything on the Laguna Beach front

    Editor: Think Globally, Shop Locally… In his Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens nailed it: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times... it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair." Could Dickens the futurist have anticipated Election '08 and the current economic crisis? Hardly. But his inadvertent prognostication is uncannily apropos. Full Story
Pleased with Design Review decision

    Editor: On November 6, the Laguna Beach Design Review Board unanimously rejected a new home proposal that would have negatively impacted the historic charm of our small South Laguna neighborhood. Nestled below Hobo Aliso Ridge and above the Montage Resort, the neighborhood consists of 80 homes that were built in the 1950s. Full Story
Loud, dirty SCMC temporary generators still running 24/7

    Editor: Here we are headed into the end of the year 2008. While many things have changed, one thing remains the same: the 'temporary' generators in the lower parking lot of South Coast Medical Center (SCMC) are still in place, operating 24/7. Full Story
A Laguna wish list: green and Osborne

    Editor: I suspect we all have our own wish lists ready for the new City Council and so I will stand in line with the rest of you thinking about mine: The first thing that I want more than anything is that Tom Osborne be re-appointed to The Environmental Committee. His dismissal was a travesty of justice and everyone knows it. Full Story
Aftermath of Prop 8 needs leadership and clear direction

    Editor: As a gay man, as a religious leader, and as an ally to people of color, I am baffled by today's movement for marriage equality. The Queer community and its supporters are in desperate need of some clear leadership and sense of direction in this historic moment. Never, in my life have I seen the Queer community mobilized with such energy and urgency as today. Full Story
Comforted by the support - but without healing

    Editor: I was there, at the Prop 8 demonstration last Saturday. With me were my neighbor and her 3 year old, my best friend and Best Man at my wedding and another straight neighbor who lives across the street. Full Story
Election reflection

    Editor: In Laguna, people voted 68% no on Proposition 8 - the constitutional amendment that would say marriage can only be between a man and a woman. Yes on 8 won because the 12 old men who run the Church of Latter Day Saints told their followers across the USA that they would be blessed if they gave to the Yes on 8 in California, Arizona and Florida, and give they did. Full Story
Spending church money

    Editor: While thousands of good people need jobs, a place to live, food and medicine, two of the nation's wealthy religious organizations have poured millions of dollars into mundane politics that does not help - but hurt people. Full Story
Disagreeing with Mr. Grant's letter

    Editor: I just have to respond to Mr. Grant's letter to the editor from the Nov 7 edition of The Independent, in which he addresses his concern about the "Freedom from Religion" ad. Contrary to Mr. Full Story
Hypocrites

    Editor: Hypocrites in action. Isn't it amazing how suddenly so many letters and editorials from Democrats appear saying now we must all work together to save the country, solve all the problems, etc. Full Story
Wants to see some good faith effort from the Left

    Editor: Mr. Fried [Letters 11/14] asks us (the Right) to "…engage in a healthy, reasoned, intellectual debate that will move our nation out of the abyss." He asks us to "Quit inciting hatred." Where was he almost eight years ago when the cult of Bush hatred sprang up? Full Story
"Repower America"

    Editor: America demonstrated a readiness for change and a renewed hope last week when we elected Barack Obama as President. Now it is time to put aside partisan politics and focus on the daunting challenges facing this great nation. Full Story
Scrooge it

    Editor: Now it's bailout time for merchants and their toady Sandy Clawz. Under that pseudonym, little boys and girls are conned into writing gimmie letters to the North Pole begging for all the marketing ploys dangled or blasted at them for being good. Full Story
Shun all Freddie and Fannie supporters

    Editor: What would be better than to use political power to create an otherwise corrupt racket designed to reward political allies and perpetuate power forever? So successful was Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is that numerous Republicans joined in, but it was primarily a creation of Democrats and defended from regulation by Democrats. Full Story
Our letter policy

    Letters to the Editor are important - it's a Laguna Forum Letters to the Editor have been a community right in Laguna Beach for a long time and this paper will provide space to all who wish to express their opinions on just about any subject - whether it deals with a local issue or not. Full Story