LETTERS
The Troops
Even before the war, constituents have been calling my office asking what they can do to show their appreciation to our troops. The first thing I have told them is that they don’t want to add to the incredible volume of mass mailings and care packages that are already placing such a terrific strain on the Pentagon’s mail room staff.
Instead, I advise that we take full advantage of advanced technology and direct Internet mail delivery to get our messages across:
& #149; Donate to Operation USO Care Package at www.usocares.org/home.htm.
& #149; Donate long-distance calling cards so service members can telephone their families via Operation Uplink at www.operationuplink.org.
& #149; Send an online greeting at anyservicemember.navy.mil or www.operationdearabby.net.
& #149; Donate gift certificates to military dependents in need at www.commissaries.com.
& #149; Check other resources at www.usafreedomcorps.gov and defendamerica.mil (click on “Support our Troops”).
Christopher Cox
(Cox is a Republican congressman from Orange County, chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and chairman of the House Policy Committee.)
Corporate Citizens
More than ever we need to rally Orange County businesses to advance corporate citizenship and economic revitalization. With the tumbling of public trust for businesses and a weakened economy, we need to anchor and restore principles of responsibility. This will help fuel our recovery.
Most smart businesses are already engaged in helping the community. Some examples include The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, which raised over $300,000 from its annual “Dux in Tux” event for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and bringing 15,000 elementary school students to its interactive “First Flight” educational program. Southwest Airlines’ “Adopt-A-Pilot” hosts a mentorship program where pilots volunteer and adopt classrooms, including at Santa Ana’ s Roosevelt Elementary School. Doctor’s Ambulance has trained thousands of Orange County residents in CPR and First Aid and also donates lifesaving defibrillators. The Financial Planning Association volunteers to teach battered women essential financial skills. In the community, Concordia University’s Entrepreneurial MBA Program is refurbishing a historical landmark warehouse in Fullerton’s Downtown District.
As an extension of my Irvine business, www.operationphoto.com provides free online photo sharing and discounted same-day photo processing from digital cameras for the families of deployed American troops abroad.
Together we can pioneer and inspire others and get involved; our stewardship can be a model for building an economic revitalization coalition.
Mitch Goldstone
Co-owner
30 Minute Photos Etc.
Irvine
Argus
Over the past months, I’ve occasionally glanced at the column in your publication penned by Argus Hamilton. Up until now, I’ve found it, at best, inconsistent with the high-quality business news items and editorial content of the Orange County Business Journal, the obvious reason most of us subscribe to your publication.
But I found Mr. Hamilton’s column in the March 31 issue both offensive and insulting. As an example, his comments about our President having a diet of “one country a week” and people at the Academy Awards giving up cocaine “in the spirit of shared sacrifice during wartime” are demeaning to both our nation’s leadership and the sacrifice of our troops in Iraq.
We all need to maintain a sense of humor in these difficult times, but not at the expense of good taste.
Timothy J. Friday
Principal
BLVDwest
Newport Beach
