Letters to the Editor - 10/18/2006

By: Readers of the North County Times and Californian - | Wednesday, October 18, 2006 8:44 PM PDT ∞

Oceanside should follow Escondido's lead


I support the Escondido City Council's rental ban. Our coastal cities have been forced to implement gang injunctions against people who have succeeded to rule sections of our cities. Many of those who steal, murder, burglarize and are involved in drug activity seem to be illegal in this country.

Evelyn Kay

Oceanside

Protesters have awoken the sleeping giant


Thank you, Marie, Ed and Sam, for standing up for America. This ruling should apply to all the other cities that harbor illegal immigrants. Legal immigrants do not have to worry about renting a residence. It's time we stood up to the name-calling and threats that are thrown our way every time we talk about illegal immigration.

There is a picture of Marie Waldron on the front page of the Oct. 5 North County Times with two (police) bodyguards. Why is this necessary? Makes one think. Threats? Hope not. Below the picture is a picture of a child protester with a Mexican flag. Is this protesting for the American way of life or the Mexican way of life? Where do these people's loyalties lie?

So now there is a protest at Sam Abed's Mobil gas station. I will drive out to his station and buy my gas from him, to show my support for America. Let the protesters protest. The protesters have woken up the sleeping giant, aka, the silent majority. Write and/or call your mayor, council person and senator and let them know we are tired of illegal immigration. And yes, we do have legal people here in the U.S.A. to do all the jobs the illegals immigrants do now.

Anthony Richard Pendzich

Carlsbad

Connie Messina gets the job done


Another good and honest candidate for City Council in Poway is Connie Messina. This lady has done her homework and is ready to sit on our City Council in Poway. This intelligent female is just the ticket to represent Poway voters and is not afraid to speak out when the going gets tough for all voters in Poway. Please consider a yes vote for Connie Messina in the coming election. You won't be sorry you did.

Carol Long

Poway

We are on the right track with the GOP


Voting Democrat now would be voting for a leftist government with an agenda of big government that would not provide the individual rights Americans now have, as all programs are government-controlled and limited.

Their agenda includes a national health care program that would have our medical benefits determined by a panel of bureaucrats, not doctors. It would also limit senior care after 67 to only basic care.

The biggest Democratic plan is to raise taxes - not only on the rich but on anyone earning a paycheck, in order to finance their social programs, like gay rights. In socialistic countries, people pay 70 to 80 percent of their incomes to the government. In Canada, private clinics are springing up all over the country (112 in one month), as people are finding the government plan inconvenient and unsatisfactory.

Democratic plans to impeach President Bush would cause our government to become stymied and make us even more vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

Don't be fooled by political propaganda - we are on the right track to overcoming the terrorist threat but, as in any war, it takes time and determination to win it.

Marcy Young

Oceanside

No new ideas from Angelides


Phil Angelides has no new ideas, so he falls back on the standard liberal mantra. He's going to increase taxes on "the rich" and "close corporate tax loopholes." I wonder, who exactly does Angelides consider the rich? And do corporations include mom and pop small businesses?

The answer is on his Web site. Apparently, Angelides considers you rich if you and your significant other earn more than $46,000 a year (combined). Sure, he doesn't come right out and say it, but his phony tax break for the middle class proposal says it all. So if you have a combined household income of $46K or more, watch out. You're rich. Prepare to be hammered with tax increases by the Democrats.

Also, if you own a business with less than 50 employees, you are a small business. But add employee number 50 and you are a greedy corporation, and the target of huge tax increases. And we all know who pays for that tax increase in the end. Feeling wealthy? Vote Democrat. That will cure you.

Mike Kania

Carlsbad

Ordinance doesn't address all problems


I have to ask Escondido's three council members who voted to approve the rental ban ordinance this question: Does each one of them consider the city's illegal immigrant population to be tourists spending their money at local businesses during the day? I believe this question needs to be answered if one is to believe that the true intent of the ordinance is to correct the existing problems, as stated.

Fact: Every illegal immigrant has violated our society's laws. Fact: Our society considers them criminals. Fact: They are criminals, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until apprehended, held and brought to justice. Fact: In our aid and abet laws, selling or giving food, clothing, merchandise, or services of any type, including providing gasoline, is a violation because it assists the criminal in obtaining his daily needs and prolongs his freedom.

Every citizen is held accountable. Rightly so. The ordinance addresses the first two facts, but it almost completely ignores the second two. Therein lies just one of its many faults. Why? Anybody know the answer?

Richard Matthews

Escondido

Who you gonna vote for


Election time is just around the corner. Who you gonna vote for? We've got all these has-beens and wannabes running for office. We elect them based on what they say or promise. Their tune is, "I'm going to work for you, the people." Their tune is, "No more taxes!"

Do you remember President George Bush Sr.'s words? He said, "Read my lips: No more taxes!" How do you like your taxes now? Have you noticed the campaigns that our wannabes and has-been legislators are running? Yup, no more taxes.

I like our governor. I also like our lieutenant governor. I'd like to see Arnold back in Hollywood. As for Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante? I'd like to see him back in the San Joaquin Valley. As state treasurer, no! We have a $3 trillion national debt (since President Bush Jr.). How are our children gonna pay for that? Here is another government play. The price of gasoline is coming down, just before midterm elections. Of course the Republican Party, and even the Democrats, are going to claim that it was because of their efforts.

The price of oil is coming down. Think about it. Why just prior to midterm elections? Who you gonna vote for?

Robert Martinez

Vista

Unrealistic expectations for special needs kids


Teachers teach their lesson plan. The special needs nurse is responsible for oxygen, suction, feeding, diaper changing and blanketing. An occupational therapist teaches the holding of a spoon, using a cup, etc. Parents push kid on swing, unwind on beanbags with music and create a home to unwind and relax.

When the team breaks down due to increased stress, it's time for complete change. The burnout rate for this situation is incredible, when you have used up all of your compassion. Get a fresh new team.

Melissa Corcoran

Fallbrook

Turn things around on Nov. 7


Our November election is one of the more important ones in recent years. At many governmental levels, crucial issues and races are to be decided ---- they will affect all of our lives for many years to come.

Our local 50th District representative, Brian Bilbray, has been in office long enough to demonstrate his Cunningham-like stripes, in all their distasteful aspects - favoring offshore drilling, and any other measures that will benefit his Big Oil backers.

And how can this carpetbagger claim Carlsbad as his hometown with a straight face? Francine Busby continues to be our breath of fresh air, being what Bilbray is not. Happily, we can turn things in the 50th around on Nov. 7 by voting for Busby to go to Washington to give us true representation.

Hank Gregg

Carlsbad

Return Horton to Tri-City


As a candidate for the Tri-City Healthcare District Board of Directors, I believe that Tri-City Medical Center's mission is to serve you. Together, we can improve its services and also be prudent and frugal with our resources. I currently serve on the Oceanside Planning Commission. I served on the Tri-City Healthcare District Board of Directors from 1998 through 2002.

I have also served the city of El Centro from 1980 through 1986 as treasurer, council member and mayor, as well as a term on the El Centro Community Hospital Board of Trustees. During that term, the monthly financial statements showed a robust profit, but I soon discovered that the monthly financial reports were fictitious. The hospital was nearly bankrupt! I helped restore the hospital to financial health.

I know that your health care is important to you. I will work hard to ensure that high-quality care is ready when you need it, but I cannot do so without your support. I am asking for your vote. Please allow me to serve you once again on the Tri-City Healthcare District Board of Directors. Together, we can improve its services and also be prudent and frugal with our resources.

Randy Horton

Oceanside

Yes on T for hospital safety


Not only is Tri-City Medical Center in desperate need of renovation, but it will also need to meet new California seismic standards by the year 2013. The cost of this renovation will only worsen with time and waiting will put an undue burden on our already substandard health care services.

Our growing population cannot afford to let our only medical facility deteriorate. Vote yes on T to save our hospital.

Robert Knezek

Carlsbad

Time to exercise our right to vote


Yes, it's that time again, the age-old practice of exercising our democratic freedoms. I have voted in every election for the past 30 years and, if I'm not educated about an issue, I skip it and, where I am educated, I vote.

When we vote it is for the future of this country, the people in it and the largest free democracy known to man. I've voted for Republicans and Democrats, some of whom have turned out to be criminals and some to be excellent leaders. I have voted for atheists, Mormons, Christians and Jews. I've voted for whites, blacks, Latinos and Asians. I have voted for men and women that I knew, and others that I knew of.

The one mistake I have made was when I voted for a candidate because of one issue. Think about it, voting for someone because you agree on only one issue is pretty foolish. What is more foolish is to complain and then not vote; they say, "if you are not a part of the solution you are a part of the problem."

Educate yourself about the issues and do something about the future of this nation. It's too easy to shrug your shoulders and not become involved. America, it's not perfect and never will be, but it can be better with all our participation. Vote.

Jim Watson

Carlsbad

Time to picket NCT?


Why would your paper promote and place a picture of Latinos picketing at City Councilman Sam Abed's business, on the front page of the Escondido edition on Oct. 13? What an outrage and how racist on the part of the North County Times.

Where are the pictures of the citizens of Escondido working hard and doing everything they can to support this ordinance that, at the very least, is a protection of our civil rights?

I think it is about time the good citizens of Escondido picketed the North County Times as a racially biased newspaper against the citizens of the city of Escondido.

Shirley Matson

Escondido

How will we be remembered?


Sam Abed claims that Marie Waldron's proposed rental ordinance would help solve the city's growing poverty levels and would help in effectively dealing with the existing slumlord problem.

This ordinance has nothing to do with the problem of illegal immigration. If you want to attack the poverty problem, then help to better support the minimum wage laws and do a better job of bringing in more businesses and their jobs. For the slumlord, you simply cut into his profit margin with meaningful renters fines and then enforce them.

The ordinance in question is so vague and poorly written that it is simply inviting all sorts of lawsuits that you and I will have to pay for. This council majority will simply move on to more of the same. The ordinance is simply unenforceable.

One last point for us to consider is this. Here is where the lawsuits come in. In the old South, their laws were worded to leave no doubt as to who went where. This is called de jure segregation laws and is unconstitutional. In a post-civil rights era, laws that don't say it but do it are equally unconstitutional. This is legally referred to as de facto segregation. I know how I want Escondido's legacy to be. The question is what do you want it to be?

Mike Busch

Escondido

Country is losing its sovereignty


This country is losing its sovereignty and becoming an ungovernable Third World mess, just like Mexico. A few brave people like Marie Waldron try to stand up and do something that even the president does not have the guts to do, and our mayor votes against the measure. How many people have to have a major car accident with an illegal alien in this country before people like our mayor get the point? Let the bleeding hearts scream and race hustlers manipulate this issue all they want.

Is the mayor of our town really comfortable with tacitly endorsing lawlessness when, in fact, she has the opportunity to stand for the rule of law at a very critical juncture in our nation's history and help point the way for other communities confronting the ever-swelling problem of illegal immigration? If she is, then it is time for a new one.

It may also be time for the people of Escondido to recognize what is truly at stake here and pay attention and get involved and not leave the heavy lifting for Marie Waldron and a few others.

Andy Evans

Escondido

Property tax hike to pay for health care


We are again faced with this Tri-City bond issue. After being defeated as Proposition F in April, now comes Proposition T. This $596 million bond measure on the Nov. 7 ballot clearly indicates it will be the individual property owners who will support illegal aliens. We can all lose our homes.

Prop. T is intended for a $596 million bond. For every $100,000 of assessed value, you will pay an additional $26.40. Each year for 40 years, you will be assessed an additional 2 percent of our entire tax bill, per Prop. 13, on your home. Suppose your taxes are now $6,000 on a home assessed at $500,000.

Next year, you will be assessed not only the extra $26.40 per $100,000 assessed value, but the additional 2 percent. This continues for 40 years. In addition, many times, the bonds have been increased with just a letter to the city. Don't let the freeloaders, the illegal aliens and the property owners who have not been reassessed for 30 years or more but use the hospital services more than anyone else, take your home away from you.

It is time for Tri-City to become responsible. Remember, after they get your money, they won't care. Vote no on Prop T. Save your home!

Pat Brown

Oceanside

Caltrans planning absent once again


Caltrans recently completed work on Highway 76 between Interstate 5 and Airport Road in Oceanside. They added a concrete divider and paved the center median. I'm sure that many of us motorists who travel this route thought we were going to get a third lane that would ease rush-hour traffic.

While I'm no highway engineer, it appears that Highway 76 is wide enough in each direction to add the lane, while still permitting emergency vehicle egress when necessary.

So, there would have been a minimal amount of additional work to add the lane. And we don't know what the traffic studies will justify now, but the traffic is only going to worsen over time, necessitating a third lane sometime in the near future. Then Caltrans will be adding the lane at additional taxpayer expense. Where's the Caltrans planning and common sense? It's absent once again.

Greg Force

Escondido

Thanks to Corky


I am a very fortunate senior citizen. The reasons I consider myself to be so fortunate are: I live in a beautiful senior park surrounded by many friends. The park in which I live is located in a beautiful city with the best climate in the country.

The beautiful city I live in is San Marcos. San Marcos is an economically healthy, vibrant community of many activities with excellent educational institutions and convenient shopping. Furthermore, it is a community that cares for its senior citizens in many special ways.

Over the years, the interests of seniors, and all residents in this community, have been protected and enhanced over and over by the efforts of our current mayor, Corky Smith. Corky has been the constant champion of the seniors. He has introduced and promoted many measures in their interests, along with Mike Preston and our retiring city manager, Mr. Gittings. Let's re-elect Corky for another term as mayor, and Mike for another term as councilman.

Bob Fay

San Marcos

Escondido three belong in Congress


If I had my way, the Escondido council members Ed Gallo, Sam Abed and Marie Waldron would be elected to Congress in Washington, D.C., for having the courage to vote for punishing landlords who rent to illegal immigrants. Why can't our own federal representatives do more on this issue?

Patricia Kosmal

Oceanside

Up with America


With deep regret, today I hear a certain school is wondering about the American flag. Is it the right choice to have the American flag to be acknowledged in the school? Maybe we should not fly Old Glory. Do you know why? Because it makes some of the students feel bad.

Guess what? I think those students are quite happy. I think those students thank America for giving them the choice of a better future. Our troops are fighting for all of us. They are there because of freedom for all. Imagine, when they come home, the flag is not flying. It is a symbol. Yes, it's the greatest symbol in the world because we have taken their poor, their people who want a better life.

Now is that so hard to understand? Do you think we are going to lay down and play dead, trying to appease? We have given in to the extent of denying ourselves. I say as many Americans as possible fly Old Glory. Let her wave for all that chose to have a better life. God bless our land.

Susan Sullivan

Escondido

Don't put fools in charge


Adolf Hitler is reported to have said, "It is well for government that the people are so stupid." Of course, this comment couldn't apply to American voters who will soon re-elect the same old Republicats and Demopublicans expecting a government for the people. Isn't that a definition of insanity?

Have you ever noticed that many elected officials are lawyers who never practiced law in a courtroom? Whenever they are not re-elected, they likely become lobbyists or are appointed to another office. America is precious because of its principles. We should not put fools in charge. Only fools would do that - again and again. Was Hitler correct?

Jack Fulton

Escondido

We were at war with Germany


This is to add to the letter written by Silas Mariano of Oceanside on Oct. 7 in response to the letter of Jo Ann Spivey on Oct. 1. His letter refuted hers about when Germany declared war on the U.S.

Before my father was the bandmaster on the Hornet, he held the same rank on the admiral's flagship, the USS Coral Seas. This ship, and a fleet of others, were on a tour of duty in the North Atlantic in the winter of 1939 when they were attacked by German subs. Several ships sunk. My father told my mother of the horror of not being able to save the men. Within seconds of hitting the water, the men froze. It was not well-known during that time because my father said they were told, "We are at war with Germany."

After telling the men, they were sworn to secrecy. Several months later, my father was transferred to the Hornet. He was in the South Pacific when war was declared. The men were never told why they were sworn to secrecy, and this always puzzled my father, especially since war wasn't declared until 1941 - and it was with Japan - not Germany.

Jean Carroll

Carlsbad

McNeil will help Oceanside


I have known George McNeil for five years. If I were stuck on an island in the Pacific, my phone call would be to George McNeil.

I know George could get me off the island. Big bonus: Most politicians kiss babies in order to get elected. George knows how to kiss all the baby boomers.

Richard Hayes

Oceanside

War on the cheap is expensive


During the Gulf War, I fought under the Powell Doctrine: Use overwhelming force. Have clear objectives. Have an exit strategy. Gulf War II is being fought under the Rumsfeld Doctrine: Use underwhelming force. Have shifting objectives. Hope for the best.

In both human and financial terms, Rumsfeld's invasion on the cheap program has turned out to be extremely expensive. The bad news is that many brave men and women have lost their lives and limbs. Their families have lost the lives of loved ones, some have to deal with returning maimed veterans.

The good news is that future generations will have to bear the financial burden. You really have to wonder if the arrogant incompetents who got us into this mess were psychologically evaluated before they were hired. Are they routinely subjected to random drug testing?

According to Bob Woodward's latest book, former House Majority Leader Dick Armey told the president that invading Iraq would result in a quagmire and would ruin his presidency. So far, it appears that he may have been onto something.

Gene Jaque

Poway

Remove the problems in Oceanside


Jim Wood, Esther Sanchez and Shari Mackin at Oceanside City Hall never cease to amaze me. So the transportation manager (Watanabe) violated city rules and regulations that cost the city almost $.5 million and the best solution we citizens get from that impossible trio is - don't sweat it, we're working full time on crashing the airport and scuttling several major road improvements.

Watanabe and Watson's alleged crimes are certainly worthy of a hefty fine and extensive jail time, but our illustrious city attorney can't be bothered with such minor infractions.

The Sept. 28 editorial nailed that rampant crime 100 percent ("Traffic scandal demands reform"). That editorial should be mandatory reading for all hands. Just remember, folks, it's your money being squandered. For the folks on Corey Road: I know where many useless, needless, unnecessary stop signs are.

All you have to do is convince the Three Musketeers to relocate them and your problem will be solved.

G. Charles Evans

Oceanside

What are your children eating?


I have been a dental hygienist for 22 years. I have seen thousands of adults and children, and continue to do so full time in a family dental practice. In an age where fluoridated water, fluoride applications in the dental office and over-the-counter fluoride rinses have made significant improvements in the prevention of dental decay (cavities), we are now facing a new problem with a particularly destructive type of candy available.

The candy I am referring to has a very sour citric acid coating, and the center of the candy is loaded with sugar. This citric acid can literally strip the enamel, or outercovering of each tooth, and then the resultant cavity-prone surface is immediately exposed to sugar.

The effects I've witnessed are dramatic.I have noted a dramatic increase in the number of cavities and loss of shine in children who consume this candy. It doesn't take a lot of this type of candy to cause very destructive problems.

My warning to parents is: Check the type of candy your child is putting in their mouth - if it has a whitish crystalline coating and tastes very, very sour, keep it away! Please check your children's trick-or-treat bags for this garbage candy and throw it away.

Erika Feltham

Fallbrook

They are working to protect us


Re: the Oct. 6 letter from Carl Chipp Jr. He is being a typical liberal when he smears the reputations of Vice President Cheney, Mr. Rove and Mr. Libby. Valerie Plame was working at Langley - CIA headquarters. No covert agent works there. She had been out of the program for about seven years.

After five years, an agent is no longer secret. So when her name came out, it did not "treacherously compromise" our national security. I suggest Chipp know the truth before writing lies about decent people, people who are working very hard to protect this country - and that includes him. Be grateful!

Bettie Heldring

Escondido

Voters are disgusted with both parties


The world faces many problems. Nuclear proliferation, global warming, diminishing resources, poverty, religious fundamentalism and overpopulation are major ones.

Our nation has all of these problems, plus an unneeded, bungled Iraq war, uncontrolled immigration, world hatred and a huge growing debt. Our politicians seem to ignore these problems and focus their attention on homosexuality, the Terri Schiavo case and whether Speaker Dennis Hastert should be removed for not outing Rep. Mark Foley. On TV, Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi seems to advocate the removal of Dennis Hastert.

I believe, from previous statements, that she is a Roman Catholic. I can't recall her asking for the removal of Pope John Paul. He did nothing about priestly pedophilia, and elevated a bishop who ignored these acts to a cardinal and a permanent home in the Vatican.

Voters are disgusted with both parties, and reluctant to support either in November.

Herbert Young

Fallbrook

An unfair headline


"U.S. ground forces meet annual recruiting goals." This was a headline I read on the World Net Daily Internet site last week. Then I open the North County Times to read on Page 3: "Lower standards helps Army meet recruiting goals." How we use language, and how we frame headlines, has a definite effect on our perceptions. In a time of war, especially for families here in North County with loved ones in harm's way, I found your approach to be much more negative than it needed to be.

A full reading of the entire article printed in The New York Times, from which you got your story, would reveal that World Net Daily took the high ground on this one.

Diane Peske

Vista

New VUSD high school at risk


Parents of kids in the Vista Unified School District should be very concerned about this November's school board elections. If you do not pay attention to who you vote for, your kids will suffer the problem of overcrowded high schools.

As you may know, a third, dual-magnet theme high school is scheduled to be built, which will relieve the current overcrowded conditions at the existing two high schools. What you may not know is that there are candidates running for the school board who will cancel the plan to build that new high school facility.

Having served as co-chair of Proposition O, the ballot measure that was passed in 2002 to build new schools, and having served as the chairperson of the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee for four years, I am well informed of what is at risk in these November elections.

Please join me in voting for Carol Herrera this November. She is committed to immediately building the new high school, as well as all the other building projects that need to be finished in the VUSD.

Don Petros

Vista

Vote quality, vote Herrera


Fortunately, Carol Herrera is running for a second term on the Vista Unified School District board. Not only is she highly qualified - 42 years as a successful teacher and administrator - she has consistently demonstrated a meaningful and positive concern for education.

She has the skill, the knowledge and the enthusiasm to improve academic standards and reduce the dropout rate. Vote quality! Vote for Carol Herrera.

Rich Ramage

Vista

Happy to take cops off hands


I just read the column by Leslie Renouf Montano ("Cops going overboard on tickets," Oct. 11), and have a proposal to help her with her problem. I live east of Vista Murrieta High School and would be more than willing to trade her a half dozen of these darling maniacs and will even throw in a half dozen of their idiot parents for just one of her dirty, rotten, no good motorcycle cops. I'll even buy coffee and doughnuts for the cop.

Aaron Nelson

Murrieta

Oil companies control market at our expense


I got a kick out of Julie Gilbart's letter of gratitude to President Bush for lowering our gas prices in California (Oct. 10). She is right when she says that the president has no control over the gas prices, but the reason is simply that he has done nothing to stop them from buying up all the competition and ending up with five major oil companies.

They have controlled the market, making billions at the expense of all the lame-brained rest of us who believed our illustrious president might have stepped up to the plate for the good of the majority. Our Congress has been less than helpful, but then what can you expect when you have no balance of power in our government? One-party rule is a dictatorship.

We travel a lot with our motor home. We just came back from a trip through Nevada, Arizona and Utah, where the gas was more expensive than California. Why? Oh! Now I figured it out. On our November ballot there is a proposition calling for taxing the oil companies. So they are dropping the prices and running millions of dollars worth of commercials to scare us into believing if we vote for it, the prices will go up. Read the proposition and vote based on the truth. It's time to get even!

Anita Baysinger/Craycraft

Canyon Lake

Don't let big companies ruin the lake


I am anti-Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District and Nevada Hydro Co.

The big question is, why do the above-named companies want to send power to San Diego and Mexico? The answer is, big, big money in the tight pockets of these companies' big shots. Ho, ho, ho!

This useless project is going to cost local taxpayers millions of dollars if it is completed. So the best thing the local citizens can do is to all join together and have it defeated. If this project is allowed to be completed, it will ruin the National Forest wildlife habitat.

Not many of the wild animals will be able to survive, including a wild foraging rat. Our next big problem is the ruination of lake use in the very nice Lakeland Village. The destruction of boat docks and launch ramps when water is pumped out is called pillage.

Lake frontage land will be eroded daily when water is pumped up the mountain and flows back in. This lake is the only natural one in this beautiful area and to ruin it for money will be big, bad sin!

Let's not allow the big shots to ruin our lake. It was created by God, so let's keep it in shape.

Kenneth N. Howard

Lake Elsinore

War news is depressing


I am very depressed each day as Marines and soldiers die in this endless war. I find each day the death notice of our loyal troops giving their life and their brothers being prosecuted by the death of the enemy. It makes no difference who plants bombs along the highways. They are the enemy.

James C. Dimitriadis

Murrieta

Insurgents teaching us good lesson


America has the largest military in the world, equal to all other nations combined. Yet, as a people, we seem afraid that our homeland will be attacked. The evidence for this fear is in our willingness, as a people, to so quickly sacrifice constitutional freedoms and to withdraw into the very darkness of our hearts to condone torture, becoming more like our enemies in our fight against them, destroying exactly what it is we portend to defend.

If we choose security before freedom, we will have neither. I have never been afraid of our enemies abroad, but I am afraid of our own government today.

Now, 70 percent of the Iraqi people want America to withdraw. The Iraqi insurgency has a lesson that we can learn backward. America is spending $9 billion a month to fight these insurgents, yet despite winning every face-to-face battle, we have already lost the war.

The inside-out lesson is this: If a people are unwilling to be occupied, unwilling to be ruled, even the most powerful military in the world cannot long stay in place and will eventually withdraw.

So why are you afraid? You have soldiers to protect you within your borders; isn't that comfort enough? Must you rule the world to feel safe? Perhaps the world would hate us less if we gave up all this nonsense of empire and were more concerned with securing our Constitution than our own personal safety.

Allen Kugi

Temecula

Iraq peace not likely in our lifetime


Mostly unnoticed, the code words "sectarian violence" have emerged in the media regarding the ongoing interfaith murders in Iraq. This new name for the violence, formerly known as "suicide bombers," "regime holdovers" and "insurgents" recognizes the reality that peace in Iraq is not to be seen in our lifetimes.

To see the history of sectarian violence one only need look at Ireland. Once a free nation, Ireland was invaded and ruled by Britain for 800 years. True independence for Ireland only came about in 1949. Even then there remained a six-county enclave occupied by Britain in the misnamed "Northern Ireland."

This decades-long occupation of the "north of Ireland" by Britain has only prolonged the sectarian violence between the Protestant "unionists" and the Catholic "republicans." The so-called "Troubles" in Ireland are a match for the sectarian violence in Iraq between the Shia and Sunni sects.

The relative peace in the Republic of Ireland and the Kurdish area of Iraq highlights the truth that foreign troops inflame the sectarian differences in contested sections of the same country. The former "insurgents" of Iraq are causing the same havoc that the IRA has caused in the north of Ireland and in England for decades.

Withdrawal of coalition forces from Iraq and British forces from the north of Ireland will no doubt result in a short-term increase in sectarian violence followed by stability when power is invested in the dominant sect.

Jim Tierney

Murrieta

Web Comments:

Citizens rally for off-duty officer guidelines


Readers respond to our Oct. 17 story about a group of citizens and civil rights advocates urging law-enforcement agencies to develop uniform guidelines on how officers should approach citizens, in light of the recent shooting involving Charger Steve Foley and an off-duty Coronado officer.

Watch out


Randy: "Be careful what you ask for. The guidelines may be: Shoot first, ask questions later!"

No badge, no way


So Cal Native: "How many times have we heard of people, women especially, getting pulled over by 'plain-clothes cops' and then being assaulted and raped. I wouldn't want my wife pulled over by an unmarked car with some wacko claiming he is a police officer. "

Cite the source


To So Cal Native: "How many times have you heard of people being pulled over by people posing as cops? Please cite your sources. I haven't heard of any in San Diego. Plus, law enforcement in San Diego doesn't pull over people in unmarked cars or in plain clothes. Lets not get all paranoid and cause panic about cops out there in plain clothes pulling people over."

Waldron often sits in the middle of controversy


Readers respond to our Oct. 17 story about how Escondido Councilwoman Marie Waldron, a supporter of the proposed ban on renting to illegal immigrants, is no stranger to controversial issues and is often at the center of them.

Her personal battle


That's a Problem: "Ed Gallo hit the nail on the head. Marie Waldron is 'going to do what she what she thinks is right.' That's a problem. Council members are here to do what the citizens of Escondido want. Council members are here to represent the people and listen to the voices of the people. No one was screaming about illegal immigration until she opened up the conversation because what she believes. She didn't agree with the Mexican Consulate at the Civic Faire, so Waldron started screaming. And now, we have a huge mess! Personally, I think she is full of herself. Thanks but NO thanks!"

One for Waldron


Gramma: "I've already voted my absentee ballot and Marie has my vote. I believe she is standing brave and firm on what is good and right for our city. Too few politicians have the political will to make a stand against illegal immigration. Mostly, she represents what the majority of legal voters in our city want."

Behind Marie


CR: "I'm glad Escondido has someone like Marie to stand up and fight when things are wrong. Escondido is in the position it is today because too many politicians looked the other way instead of taking on tough issues. Marie does not back down -- if she did she would not be running for re-election. She certainly has my vote!"

Right direction


Go Marie Waldron!:" Marie has the understanding and courage to keep Escondido moving forward. She has my vote come November!"

Oceanside purses railroad quiet zones


Readers respond to our Oct. 17 story about city public works director Peter Weiss saying that Irvine-based Railpros Inc. will conduct a diagnostic review of five public railroad crossings in Oceanside to determine what it will take to create a railroad "quiet zone" through the city.

For noise's sake


Osider: "All you people that live inland who don't have to listen to the horn have NO say in this. I live on Oceanside Blvd. right at the train tracks. We are not against the horn blowing at all but against the late night freight horn blowers who over-blow their horns at the hours three to four in the morning on purpose. THIS is what we are against! I plan to document this for the city council with a video to show them how this train engineers over blow on purpose when no one is even around!"

What came first?


Roger: "Let me get this straight. Buy home next to railroad. Complain about train noise. Buy home next to airport. Complain about airplane noise. Where do these people come from? Furthermore, why should we tolerate and finance their whining? HELLO, you bought a house next to a railroad. Sell it or be quiet."

Why not safer?


not just for you: "Hey, don't buy a home by the tracks if you don't like it. Haven't enough people been hurt on the tracks even with the horns? Get a grip or move. The tracks were there when you moved in."

Losing sleep


How About the Sprinter Line: "How about the Sprinter line? We all lived in our homes for years and years before this train line was dreamed up. Now we are supposed to endure diesel trains blowing their horns from 4 in the morning until 10 or 11 at night? Please Council, include our crossings! All of us on the Sprinter line already hear all the traffic from the freeway, the Coaster/Amtrak. We deserve quiet zones too!"

Judge rules on Murrieta's ban on signs


Readers responded to an article Tuesday about a judge's ruling supporting Murrieta's ban on political as well as commercial signs in public rights of way.

Already illegal


Who Cares: They don't enforce the ordinance anyways! It's a misdemeanor under the California Penal Code to put signs in the right of way! See section 556.1!

Just wondering


Ed: Great decision. I for one am darn tired of having to view all of this visual pollution. The property that these "want to be" politicians place their tacky signs upon does not belong to them and I doubt that they are paying rent for the use of it. If you want to put up your little signs, put them in your own front yard. I have to wonder just how attorney (Richard) Ackerman would feel if he woke up to find 10 or 15 campaign signs on his private property. I would be willing to bet that he would be crying a different tune.

Fair and equal


Concerned Riverside County Voter: I applaud Mr. Ackerman for what he does. He is a true, selfless American fighting for Freedom of Speech. I'm sorry the judge can't see the big picture and importance that all candidates need to have fair and equal voices. Those that don't see this probably don't vote ---- and should never complain about things such as traffic. Those of us that do and pay lots of taxes find it important to hear from all candidates. I support Mr. Ackerman's decision to take this to the next level.

Sign language


Mary: Most cities handle temporary signage as follows: Political signs should be allowed. Opponents should not be allowed to remove their rival's signs. And then they should be removed within two days after the election or else face a fine. Commercial signs should be banned; there are other avenues for promoting business such as direct mail. ...

Welcome to Reaganville


Democracy fighter: Conservatives (Robert) Kowell and Ackerman are only fighting to be able to display more signs for their 20-year-old college boy running for City Council. They want someone they can manipulate. Sorry, Bob, why don't you try to rename Murrieta Reaganville?