The Buzz column, Dec. 21

A Buzz reader who resides in the Mission Viejo Environmental Association informed The Buzz about an ongoing message to HOA members. An announcement in the MVEA January-March 2008 report states: “Please be aware that after Feb. 1, 2008, homeowner plant material over 25’ may be requested to be reduced and/or removed to meet the Association’s Guidelines, and palm trees are not an exception.” The reader said, “Sounds like someone has a specific tree in mind that’s obstructing a view. If I get a request to top my palm trees, my neighbors will have an improved view of 24-foot-high stumps.”

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A reader reacts to councilman’s attitude: “It is easy to understand why the new mayor pro-tem [Frank Ury] considers that the other council members are incapable of making sound decisions. I wouldn’t be surprised if he resigns very soon. It would be wise for him to leave this constant turmoil and thus prove the other members can’t do without him. He could do better elsewhere working as a consultant or insultant.”

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A reader reacts to judge’s decision to delay the court proceedings of former CUSD administrators James Fleming and Susan McGill: “McGill’s attorney made a serious error in requesting a delay in the trial. He asked that the prosecution point to specific examples where McGill perjured herself. The request will result in the judge being required to read all of the grand jury testimony, which is a stunning revelation of the corruption and dishonesty of district officials. Without the attorney’s request, which introduces all of the testimony as evidence, the case against McGill wouldn’t be nearly as compelling.”

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A resident’s response to the city’s new tagline was reported on another Mission Viejo blog. The writer suggested that “Making living your mission,” should be the hospital’s tagline. “Making shopping your mission” should appear next to the shopping center. A Buzz reader added, “Next to city hall where council members park, put a sign that says ‘Making catfighting your mission.’”

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Forwarded by Editor-in-Chief Carl Schulthess, Theodore Roosevelt's ideas from 100 years ago on immigrants and being an American in 1907: "In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag. We have room for but one language here, and that is the  English language. And we have room for but one sole loyalty, and that is a loyalty to the American people."