Letters to Editor
"Less" Robbins Responses
From Issue: Volume XXI - Number 4
2/23/2013
Editor's Note: Following are some responses to Mr. Robbin's "retirement." We will not be publishing any of this commentary in our print editions with the intent of moving ahead with more substantive issues relating to our community.
Editor:
Your paper is now readable. Thanks to the dismissal of robbins I won't have to explain why it is ok to bash conservatives to my kids. I hope you hire a true reporter who relies on facts not rhetoric talking points of one party. I will once more look forward to reading your paper.
Daniel Barrows
2/27/13
Editor:
I'm sorry the entity marked as Name Withheld believes I deserved to be called an "f***ing moron" for asking questions like the validity of firemen having a $12 million overtime budget. Although they do difficult work I don't see how bankrupting the city is appropriate. The words protect and serve seem to escape those who want to divide and conquer the city budget for their gain.
I didn't bully Les Robbins and certainly didn't deserve to be cursed at. I asked him simple questions that in no way should have been attacked as he did. His publisher asked him to apologize and he decided to quit rather than make right the wrong of cursing at someone for their views. I didn't ask him to quit. I tried to get him to act in a reasonable and gentlemanly manner in more than one of my replies.
I believe he belittled himself even further by quitting rather than apologizing. I find it hard to believe that anyone would stand behind someone who finds it necessary to quit for cursing at someone rather than having a sensible and gentlemanly discourse on current events.
By the way even though I'm married I'm still singular.
Vance Frederick
Editor:
Knowing all the rightwing crazies in Long Beach, the person who signed in regarding Les Robbins as "name withheld" is right in doing so. He would make a suitable replacement for Mr. Robbins. Your paper is now devoid of all that is balanced in a normal newspaper.
I request that my name be withheld as well!
Editor:
The beachcomber posted a letter from 'name withheld' stating that Les Robbins will be sorely missed because he was knowledgeable, factually grounded and right about a lot of things.
Let's review just a few of the factual claims made by Mr. Robbins over the years:
He claimed that Bush/Cheney went to war in Iraq for oil to enrich
their oil company buddies over and over. That was a lie and just an excuse to hate.
He stated that the LB City Council is made up of stupid idiots. Or, republicans hate women and want return them to servitude under Mitt Romney, while taking away the availability of medical services for the middle class and others because we oppose the government takeover of healthcare?
I suppose his constant, hateful bashing and name calling were to be honored and supported?
Beware of anyone who tells you that challenging political commentary and public debate is bullying.
We are guaranteed the freedom to speak out under our constitution to prevent authoritarian governments like
Iran, Venezuela and Cuba. The press is tasked with offering differing viewpoints and transparency. Sadly, there are
people in our own society who would love to see the silencing of those they disagree with.
That's how the former Soviet Union conducted business and we currently see in the Middle East and North Korea.
Robert Van der Upwich
Editor:
Though not familiar with the circumstances, I am sorry to hear that Les Robbins is no longer writing for your paper. You will now have only articles and letters from the usual hissy grouches -- with no counterbalance. They will just be shadow boxing. Sad.
Joyce Stacy
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