Bah humbug!
During this season of giving and goodwill toward others, how ironic that the California Supreme Court come out with a ruling that will have a chilling effect on coming to the aid of our fellow citizens at a critical time of need: one that could mean the difference between life and death.
While reading your editorial, “Bad ’Good Samaritan’ ruling” (December 21), I couldn’t help but think of the title of a recent book I read, “The Death of Common Sense, How Law Is Suffocating America.”
Not only does this ruling make no sense, it strips away the very essence of the purpose and intent of the Good Samaritan law. When faced with an emergency situation, people do not have time to think through liability issues or legal ramifications. Life is not free of risk. I think most all of us could agree that if we needed help, we would want people to act; not shy away for fear of being sued.
Robert Donin
Santa Monica
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Christmas Angel
Just wanted the Santa Monica Mirror to say a BIG THANK YOU to the Christmas Angel who appeared at Vons on Lincoln in Santa Monica on Christmas Eve.
It was around 4:30 p.m. with a lot of last- minute shopping going on and a young looking man smart but casual in jeans started handing out $100 Vons cards. There was no razamatazz or special announcement he just simply told each shopper or server, “Here use this it’s already charged–an early Christmas present.” Before any of us had time to realise what had happened he had moved on. The server who was looking after me said in all his decades of working for Vons he’d never experienced anything like it. He wasn’t sure at first if he could accept it as employees are not allowed to accept tips, but this was an unprecedented Christmas gift. I just wanted to ensure on behalf of all the surprised and amazed shoppers and servers that we can return the spirit of Christmas generosity from our unexpected benefactor and wish him the very best for a wonderful new year. As a tourist from England (struggling with the exchange rate) it felt like I was in a scene from “It’s a Wonderful Life” and this moment gave me an insight into the wonderful impulsive generosity that helps to make your nation so special.
Lorna Dickinson – very happy British visitor
Ashley Green, Buckinghamshire, England
