thumbs_up 43rd LONG BEACH POLICE AWARDS AT CARPENTER CENTER
[ From Greater Long Beach ]

Will the Long Beach Police officers who killed unarmed Doug Zerby be recognized for their heroism?

Will the Long Beach Police officers who recently stole guns from the police property room be recognized for their heroism?

Will the Long Beach Police officers who lied under oath in court, resulting in innocent people going to jail be recognized for their heroism?

Will the Long Beach Police officers recently arrested for DUIs be recognized for their heroism?

Will the Long Beach Police officers recently arrested for statutory rape of a minor be recognized for their heroism?

Will the many Long Beach Police officers currently being sued for civil rights violations (brutality) be recognized for their heroism?

It will be a lot easier for me to support such a function when I start seeing some of these “hero” cops start enforcing the law with their own union brothers. Until then, why are they being commended for being gangmembers acting under the color of authority? / MIKE RUEHLE

Mr. Ruehle, to my knowledge there is no award related to being “gangmembers acting under color of authority.” Nor do I believe any of the excellent police officers being honored at this ceremony could possibly be referred to in such an insulting and derrogatory fashion. Well, except, perhaps, by people who could be considered consummately foolish and ignorant to even suggest such a despicable and disrespectful thing. By the way, there will be many outstanding citizens being recognized and rewarded at that ceremony as well. Perhaps you might consider attending anyway and hearing about some of the impressive things they have done in the past year to contribute in a productive and constructive way to our community. / JOHN B. GREET

PLASTIC OH-NO BAND: COUNCIL QUINTET’S ENVIRO-ODE TO BE HEARD IN COURT
[ From LBReport.com ]

Cities all over the world are jumping on the Ban wagon. It is just a matter of time that these bags will be banished from earth. Experts all over the world are saying that the environmental hazards of the bag outweigh the benefits. / ANDY McAFEE

WONDERS OF THE WATER-SAVING WORLD ARE RIGHT OUT MY FRONT DOOR
[ By Jeanine Birong ]

Your floral display is an inspriation. Thanks for sharing. I will be looking up the info that Matt Lyon [of the Long Beach Water Department] suggests we check out soon. I love flowers. / MARY PARSELL

TIMES LIKE THESE CALL FOR DAVID FOSTER WALLACE, BUT HE’S NOT ANSWERING
[ By Greggory Moore ]

David Foster Wielenga? Come on, they look pretty similar. / KEVIN FERGUSON

Ah, comment strings on literate websites, our own infinite jest . . / US BLUES