READERS RESPOND

Mirna Burciaga’s thinly veiled attempt to backpedal from her alliance with the business boycott and other divisive tactics is pathetic. She should at least stand with them and not try to mollify her position, with statements like, “I have no power,” and, “I am only one voice.”

She has pursued a prominent leadership role that is clearly aligned with the Tonantzin Collective’s social and political objectives in Costa Mesa. Burciaga made her position very clear. She supported the business boycott intended to put financial hardship on businesses in Costa Mesa, and said she would display a sign in her restaurant’s window supporting the boycott. Any change in her position should be viewed for what it is, an expedient strategy to make her more politically palatable to voters.

DENNIS BARTON

Costa Mesa

How the title was chosen for Burciaga’s recent community commentary, I’ll never know. There was nothing helpful in this meandering series of conflicting thoughts she presented as her perspective.

She starts by saying that she wants to clarify her position. I’m not really sure of this premise, though, because by the end of her dialogue, I was more confused than when I started.

She says that she wants to keep Costa Mesa friendly, and also states that she is pro-business. Then she is pictured standing behind Santa Ana’s Nativo Lopez ? not only in news photos but also in support of his threats against all Costa Mesa businesses that don’t comply with his demands. That’s not too friendly.

She mentions boycotts all across the nation. What is she talking about? The only boycott that I know about is the one that she and her associates are planning and advocating.

She says that she doesn’t agree with all of what the Tonantzin Collective promotes, yet she never makes it clear which parts of the group’s unknown beliefs she does or does not align herself with.

Folks, you have to see this group in action. Turn off the television and come down to the Costa Mesa council chambers and get yourself a front row seat to this circus the next time they come to town. The members of this group curse our elected officials publicly during their allotted public speaking time, and because they feel they are more important than any other members of the public, they generally ask for additional time to continue their verbal abuse of our mayor and council members. Then they cry foul when asked to please make way for the next speaker. You have to wonder who would wish to align themselves with these dirty mouthed little brats in any way.

Burciaga attends meetings, wants to represent the community, her community, your community, any community.

However, beware: Burciaga does not speak for any community. Her associates, those who are advocating a boycott and who regularly disrupt public meetings and allow for only their own freedom of speech, not yours or mine, make me suspicious that Burciaga aspires to be one of those politicians she talks about.

The only thing that was made clear by her 22 paragraphs of equivocating rhetoric is that she is hedging her bets. She ends her noncommittal, non-clarifying stream of consciousness by saying that she will, “make a decision on my position” after going to a few more meetings.

Spoken like a true politician. Let me clarify ? that was not a compliment.

KATHLEEN ERIC

Westside