Druggies

You mean we actually have enough money to drug test these folks but deny the disabled/blind in home care, cut the CalWORKS Program and cut down payments to the disabled and elderly because the state is claiming it is broke? ("Mandatory Drug Tests for California Lawmakers?," The Fly, July 22.) Amazing how we can pay legislators a salary when they are late on the budget, give them cars, trips, meals, etc., on us, but taxpayers can go to hell.

Kathleen at SanJoseInside.com

All Wet

One question: When a nightclub goes out of business in San Jose, why does the city approve a use permit for another one to open in the same location? ("Club Wet's Permit Pulled," The Fly, July 15.) It would seem to me that if the city was serious about ridding downtown of "meganightclubs" that a use permit would not be issued. ...

Tom Colla

San Jose

Shooting Up

I am sorry to say that Substance Abuse Programs are in the budget cut, too. The lawmakers are shooting themselves in the foot. Perhaps I am wrong—they can afford the Private rehab institution like the Betty Ford Center.

The poor taxpayers are and have been in all kinds of pains for too long; we are numb.

Heidi at SanJose.com

Driving Force

Nice spread on the Limos ("Flash Drive," Music, July 22). Great to see them get their due as an emerging act on the alt-music scene. Awesome to see all the great things happen with San Jose and music. Cheers!

Michael J. Solari

Director of Programming

Channel 104.9-FM, San Jose

Breaking the Silence

Thank you for your article "Tourists Pay to Play" (MetroNews, July 15) regarding the governor's wish to close California State Parks. I would like to thank Metro for breaking the general media silence on the studies showing that revenue generated by state parks exceeds expenditure on the parks.

Deborah Benham

Mountain View

Masked Motives

As a member of the Church of Scientology, this was an interesting article to me ("Virtual Political Theater," The Fly, July 15). I appreciate the freedom of speech that we experience here in the United States. Citizens of many other countries are not so fortunate, as we have seen in recent headlines. Here in the United States, even if you belong to a hate group such as "Anonymous" (well known for attacking people based on the color of their skin, religion or disabilities), you have the right to express your opinion in a public location. I wonder, though—why do these individuals wear masks to hide their identities? Are they ashamed of what they are saying, since it is not based on firsthand knowledge of our church which provides literacy programs, drug rehabilitation and many other community services?

Stephani Lewis

San Jose