MAILBAG:Should we ban surfboards, too?

What is wrong with this sociological phenomena? Surfers take interest in banning Styrofoam from the beach ("Newport surfers seek Styrofoam ban," May 25). Styrofoam is bad. Dumb fishes and birds eat it and end up like stomach-stapled, gastric-bypass humans. Surfboards are made from foam blanks. Break one and guess what? Do you think that these young activists know that surfboards originally were made from balsa wood and that wet canvas bags keep liquids cool?

THOMAS E. KOLANOSKI

Councilman's site study plan could backfire

Because of pressure from citizens critical of the proposed passive Newport Center Park, a park which some have referred to as a non-park, the four-member majority of the City Council has proposed the addition of restrooms, picnic tables and benches. The Harbor View Hills neighbors and Stop Polluting Our Newport (who provided the conceptual design) have not wanted this to be a destination park, but that seems to be changing. At last Tuesday's City Council meeting, it was announced that they now want to add a tot lot.

Going a step further, Councilman Ed Selich, leader of the four council members supporting this park, has requested council approval to have the architect consultant who is studying the Orange County Transportation Authority bus transportation center location for the City Hall to also study the park site for the city hall location. Would this be the crowning enhancement to the park, like many people in town would like to see? No, apparently not; Councilman Selich has indicated (although it is apparently the consultant who has suggested this location) that looking at incorporating the city hall into the park will hopefully indicate that the site is not suitable. But what if the consultant finds that this location is suitable and economical? What will Mr. Selich's next step be? Stay tuned.

RON HENDRICKSON

Community is filled with intolerance

Once again, the forum section on Wednesday bled racism, intolerance and hatred. The opinions of so many in this country, about the serious immigration issues we face, are absolutely horrifying. Little rational thought is involved. There's much ignorance and an utter lack of concern for human rights and welfare.

How quickly we choose to forget that we took (I say stole) this country from those who live just south of our border. And when did America determine that we could abuse and exploit an entire population based on nationality?