The following is Abraham Lincoln’s address to the nation when he declared Thanksgiving a national holiday:

“It is the duty of nations, as well as of men, to owe their dependence upon the overruling power of God. To confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon. And to recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures — and proven by all history — that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord. We know that by His divine law, nations, like individuals, are subject to punishments and chastisements in this world. May we not justify fear that the awful calamity of Civil War, which now desolates the land, may be a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins — to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people?

“We have been recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven. We have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us. And we have vainly imagined in the deceitfulness of our hearts that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace — too proud to pray to the God that made us. It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the American people.

“I do, therefore, invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea, and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday in November as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our benevolent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.”

Honey Coatsworth

Dear Jerry:

First, let me apologize for taking so long to get back to you. The person who kindly donates his time to run our server was on vacation and, during that time, we had problems receiving our mail. He is now back and everything is once again on track.

To answer your question, yes, it is possible to tranquilize and relocate a mountain lion. There are, however, two main problems with this. In California, it is getting difficult to find space far enough away from human population to adequately relocate a lion. Also, lions are very territorial. Chances are, by relocating a mountain lion, we are putting it into another lion’s established territory. Mountain lions will fight to the death for their territory so, relocating can possibly be a death sentence. It does, though, at least give the lion a chance as opposed to killing it. Relocation is the best option but should be used as a last resort.

The lion that you are referring to was seen in a “watchable wildlife” park. Our question is why can’t a lion live in a designated wildlife park? The reason why this lion was hunted was because two women got scared when they saw it. They then ran into a chemical toilet and said that they heard the lion walking out of the bushes and, when looking out the door, saw the lion circling the building.

First of all, these women seemed so scared that I doubt they took more than a glance out the door and, I would not take their details to be too accurate. Secondly, none of the trackers could find any evidence of tracks, hairs or anything else indicating that a mountain lion was anywhere near that chemical toilet.

With all of this, the department of fish and game still decided that this particular lion acted “aggressively” and should be hunted and killed.

If people are going to go to designated wildlife areas, they should educate themselves as to what animals they might see and how they should act when they see these animals.

Thank you for sending the contact information for your local newspapers. I believe that our executive director has already sent letters to the editor to a number of papers in your area. We are, however, having a difficult time getting them published. It seems that our side of the story is not very “newsworthy.”

If you do happen to see any articles in your area regarding this case or any other case involving mountain lions, would you be kind enough to forward them to us? We need to keep on top of these types of situations and do rely on the people in those areas to keep us informed.

If you have any other questions or comments, please do no hesitate to contact me.

Charlene Kerr

Mountain Lion Foundation

If you’ve ever awakened to the intrusive sounds of construction on a weekend morning — read on. You know the sounds I refer to: hammering, drill saws, electric sanders, land movers, the noise of constructive vehicles, etc. While construction is not allowed on Sundays here in Malibu, it is, however, permitted on Saturdays. That is something many of us would like to see changed. (Other communities, such as Beverly Hills and Laguna Beach do not allow any type of construction on the weekends.)

One of the reasons many of us choose to live in Malibu is for the relative peace and quiet. After working in town all week — subjected to all sorts of noise — isn’t it nice to come home to Malibu for a quiet weekend — that is, if you don’t happen to be within earshot of any type of construction project (something that will, sooner or later, affect all of us).

The topic of banning Saturday construction is scheduled as part of the Malibu City Council Meeting on Nov. 23, 1998. I urge anyone who agrees that construction in Malibu is best left for Monday through Friday to let their thoughts be known. Write to the members of the Malibu City Council (Harry Barovsky, Tom Hasse, Joan House, Walt Keller, Carolyn Van Horn at 23555 Civic Center Way) and express your support of the Saturday construction ban. Or better yet, plan to attend the City Council meeting (at Hughes Research) on Nov. 23 at 6:30. This is exactly the sort of decision that will directly affect us all and it is our responsibility to let our voices be heard.

Thank you for your support.

Kay Patterson

According to Harvard scientist, Dr. Edward O. Wilson, expert on why species go extinct, the sobering fact is that we are in an extinction crisis, human activity having put us in the midst of a biological catastrophe. Dr. Wilson also says, “Each endangered species has a name and a million year history, they are our companions in the biosphere, they are part of our existence, part of us. It is important to make endangered species a vivid presence in the lives of regular people, to make it clear that they also have a place in the world.”

After much reflection and prayer, I decided upon a symbolic nonviolent action, to show my opposition to Malibu’s largest development to date, in the Civic Center area, Malibu’s historical wetland floodplain. I knew I was taking a risk, but I had to act. I decided on the element “water” from Malibu’s own wetlands at Civic Center Way.

As I was filling my 40-gallon bucket with the nutrient rich soil and water from Egret Pond, I thought about exactly what a wetland does for our community. The wetlands act as a natural filter system, they serve as a nursery for fish, provide a refuge for birds, soak up rainwater, purify the air, they are habitat, providing food and homes to 55 percent of California’s endangered and threatened species. Ninety-five percent of the historical wetlands in Southern California have been lost.

Saturday, 11-14-98, was the first day of an exhibition of a model to show the public Malibu Bay Company’s idea for this sensitive habitat; shopping center, townhouses, offices, parking lots and to appease the environmentalist their drainage ditch will be made into a “water element” and plenty of trees will be planted.

Enacting what might happen in a flood I poured my bucket of water on the model, and although I was immediately asked to leave, I stayed and was exposed to the wrath of some of my neighbors. The police were called to the scene. They told me if I did not apologize and pay for the damage I caused I was facing the possibility of being taken down town to jail for several nights, misdemeanor vandalism charges, being sued in small claims court and to top it off, the possibility of being exiled, for life, from the Ralphs/Hughes Shopping Center.

Wanting to make a strong statement for preserving this endangered habitat, I told the officers I would not apologize, nor would I pay. I would be responsible for my actions and accept the consequences.

“The renewal of society will come when we can imagine it differently, and when we are ready like artists, to take on the actual work of creating new forms.” — M.C. Richards.

All of life is sacred and connected. I pray we can leave something for future generations.

“While there is a remnant, however small, who cares intensely for the quality of the community’s life, there’s is hope.” — William Sloan Coffin.

Valerie Sklarevsky

The following letter was sent to Mayor Joan House

On behalf of the Malibu Chamber of Commerce, business community and myself, I would like to extend to you, the City Council and city staff our sincere appreciation for working closely with us to make the “Reopening of Four Full Lanes on Pacific Coast Highway” a true celebration.

Our attendance was well over 500 and each was duly impressed, be they dignitaries, press, residents and business owners. As you know this type of success happens when it is a cooperative team effort. It was indeed gratifying to have those present to experience the city, chamber and businesses working together in such a united manner.

It was my distinct pleasure to work with you and be part of this exciting Malibu celebration.

Mary Lou Blackwood,

executive vice president,

Malibu Chamber of Commerce