While I am not always a fan of your editorials, Arnold, they far surpass the incoherent ramblings of Mr. Wallace who fills in for you like he did this week. He cannot write his way out of a paper bag. Any high school teacher would give him an “F” for his terrib1e transitions from one misguided idea to the next.
In addition to poor writing (see, this is a transition, Mr. Wallace), he has his facts wrong. The LUP he grouses about like a spoiled child, was not drafted as a punishment for Malibu. It was written because the City Council sat on its hands and neglected to do its job. Can anyone deny this? When the Coastal Commission wrote the LUP for the City Council, suddenly everyone came alive and started squawking and wringing their hands like of bunch of roosters with chapped claws.
I am also insulted by Mr. Wallace’s use of the term “environmental wackos.” Why do hysterical people like Mr. Wallace constantly link these words? I am an environmentalist. I am not a wacko. I moved here because of the beautiful environment, which I would like to protect. I don’t remember doing anything wacky since college (well maybe once or twice). No one has to “manufacture” real scientific facts to protect the environment, Mr. Wallace. The fact is the environment is being systematically destroyed-the changes are dramatic since I moved here just four and a half short years ago.
If you would get out of your car and take a walk through the many neighborhoods that you think that the wackos are ruining, you would see that property rights instead have done that job-empty unsightly giant spec mansions the size of hotels, condos well over the height limit, vacant lots with the pads scrapped clean waiting for another giant pile of stucco, planted rights of way, blazing wall lights on new homes destroying the night sky, one ugly house after another blocking everyone’s ocean views…looks like everyone is making their property rights work just fine.
Please, Arnold…as far out as you can be at times, spare us from Mr. Wallace.
Susan Tellem