Letters to the Editor - 1/31/2007

By: Readers of the North County Times and The Californian - | Tuesday, January 30, 2007 10:21 PM PST ∞

Proud of peace students

Regarding "North County students support creation of U.S. Department of Peace," Jan. 25: I am so grateful and proud of our students who are working toward peace in their future and ours.

Thank you, North County Times, for featuring this article on the front page of the Local section. The only thing better would be to feature it on the front page of the newspaper.

Elizabeth Burmeister

Carlsbad

Shoddy treatment of wounded officer

I am writing to express how appalled I am by the treatment of Officer Dennis Thornton, a former Oceanside police officer who was shot in the face, and recently in the news following Officer Dan Bessant's death.

Indeed, as Officer Thornton has pointed out, the irony of living through a life-altering event, as he did, only to have to deal with bureaucrats who question his motivation and disability is disgusting, especially when you see the community rightfully honor the fallen Officer Bessant. His dedication and motivation need never be questioned, but he died.

Officer Thornton has to live with the indignities of doctors and paperwork, insurers and pencil pushers. It's not right.

Donald Vaughn

San Diego

Where were the parents?

There is a longtime joke that states that there are more Samoans in Oceanside than on the Islands of American Samoa. Samoans have almost all rights as Americans, except to vote for a U.S. president and a few other things.

A few facts about the territory of America Samoa, according to the CIA World Fact Book, are that the population is about 58,000, there is 30 percent unemployment and the average income is $6,000 per year. Oh yeah, and they use U.S. currency. Seventy percent of the people work for the tuna fish industry, almost all working, until now, below the minimum wage. The islands have few resources, with annual rainfall of 120 inches and several harsh hurricanes each year. Do you have to ask why large numbers of Samoans come to Oceanside?

A Samoan friend of mine told me his family and extended family came to get jobs and education for their kids. He also said the historical culture and family structure in many families are stressed. With drugs, alcohol and the lure of fast money, crime has taken its toll. It is not uncommon for [some] grandparents and aunts/uncles to be raising family members because the child's parents are in jail or unfit.

A lot of people are asking, where are the parents of the kids who [allegedly] murdered an Oceanside police officer. I think we will soon find out.

Larry Barry

Oceanside

Move carefully on Chargers deal

No one can foresee if an Oceanside stadium would be an economic success or an eventual financial and environmental disaster. It is certain to greatly increase our population with homes, condos, office buildings, shops, etc., planned by an ambitious developer.

Along with expected year-round crowds and dense development will come traffic gridlock, increased air pollution and noise, depleted open space parkland and perhaps the taking of private property through eminent domain because of the location in an established neighborhood. Is this really what some want for our city?

According to the Alex Spanos entry on the Wikipedia Web site for the Week of Jan. 22, in 1997 San Diego taxpayers agreed to spend $78 million to renovate the Chargers' Qualcomm Stadium with the understanding they would stay there until 2020. We will be asked to give this same developer free rein and free real estate to develop our city to the hilt with questionable benefits to us and perhaps be discarded like a squeezed lemon when the stadium soon becomes outdated.

San Diego and other cities have dealt with such franchises, some to their regret, and could educate us on this matter. Before calling those of us who won't march in lock step on this "spoilers," check them out.

Harriett Bledsoe

Oceanside

North County kangaroo court

I had the opportunity to visit a North County courtroom to show support for a friend (the victim of a crime) and to my dismay spent the entire afternoon watching the circus of defendant after defendant come before the judge and answer to the charges through an interpreter at the cost to the taxpayer. Along with the interpreter (every time for Spanish-only speakers), the defendant asked for a court-appointed attorney, also at taxpayer's expense.

There were four clerks doing paperwork for the caseload and three deputies shuttling the defendants in and out as fast as the door could swing. ... It's no wonder there isn't any money to fix potholes or for school books or any of the many other things our society longs for, because we are spending it all in the courtrooms catering to people who don't deserve our special attention. ...

Every single American, be they red or yellow, black or white, needs to write, call, e-mail or attend any of the meetings to control our borders or to build new prisons and hold the people responsible for crime accountable. We also need to hold our elected officials responsible for their inaction at the polls in the next election. Together we can stand, so let's not be divided and fall. ...

J.C. Wynne

Vista

Taggers mark their territory like dogs

I have lived in North Escondido for seven years now, and I have stood back and watched as my neighborhood has been vandalized time and time again. ... The graffiti has gotten so bad in my neighborhood that the city crews have to make it a frequent stop. They cover it up with paint and a week later it looks the same.

I currently have my home on the market and, depending on when people come to see it, there is either gang-type graffiti or nice beautiful square or rectangular paint patches all over up and down the street that stick out just as much. I am really starting to get angry and I am very concerned about how I may react when I catch someone and confront them.

I made up a bunch of signs that read "Dogs mark their territory" to try to discourage this vandalism, but everyone is afraid of some sort of retaliation from these no-better-than-dogs punks who are doing this. ...

If you have not taught your children to have more integrity and sense than a dog, please do so soon. And to all you dollar store owners, please lock up your markers and paint. To the lawmakers of my city, please set up some kind of task force for this graffiti. Maybe if you catch some of them and make examples out of them, this will slow way down.

Carl Wilson

Escondido

No public aid for children of immigrants

In my opinion, it is a slap in the face to low-income Americans to be subsidizing mass production of Hispanic-Americans born to parents who are in this country without the authorization of our government! How do the offspring of any person become the responsibility of the American taxpayer? We did not create these children, and we should not have to carry the cost of raising them.

I raised three children for many years as a single mother, without benefit of government subsidies of any kind, not even the earned income credit because I earned too much money, and their father provided the support that was expected of him. I survived and did the best I could with what I had. Why can't everyone else?

... No illegal offspring should receive support from the American taxpayer, not for 18 years, nor five, nor even a single month. These people want their big families, let them learn how to support them. If they can't do it here, perhaps it would be better to take them home and enjoy their culture, without us infringing on them in any way.

Lora Wainscott

Oceanside

It's a business, after all

So, ratepayers won't save that much on their electric bills if SDG&E's huge, destructive power line project gets built ("Power line benefits downsized," Jan. 25)? Surprise, surprise. Even under their old scheme, SDG&E VP Jim Avery told SANDAG's Energy Working Group last fall that savings for an average bill would be something like $25 a year or less ññ and that's not factoring in future rate increases.

The line is not proposed for ratepayers to save money, but for SDG&E to make money. It's a business, after all. And we will all pay for the project, as well as the profit.

Diane Conklin

Ramona

Stay home and you won't be jailed

I read with interest your article regarding the ACLU's intervention on behalf of the illegal aliens incarcerated in the border prison and their complaints about hygiene, overcrowding and other issues ("ACLU seeks wider lawsuit over San Diego immigration jail conditions," Jan. 25).

I have a simple solution. If the illegals would stay in their home country until they can immigrate legally and not break our laws by breaking into the United States or otherwise, they would not be housed there.

I don't understand why we listen to complaints from illegal lawbreakers because they are the problem. If they don't like our jails, stay out of them! This, of course, is good advice for all criminals. Commit the crime, do the time. Don't complain but learn from your experience. I believe the mission of the ACLU is to destroy the U.S. Constitution and our country. They also should be outlawed.

William Karbosky

Poway

Family thanks honest young man

On Jan. 18, my 80-year-old mother was having some difficulty getting her ATM card out of the machine in front of Washington Mutual Bank on El Norte Parkway. While she went to the door of the bank to ask for help, two men who had been watching her took her card and headed for their car. A nice young man who happened to be walking by saw this happening, confronted them and got my mom's card back for her.

A huge thank-you to this gentleman from her family! Hopefully, there are more like him out there than there are the type who feel that stealing is the right thing to do.

Joan Docherty

Hayden, Idaho

Sound familiar?

There continues to be much discussion among Iraq war supporters ... comparing U.S. involvement in Iraq to the events of WWII Europe. ... Consider the following: Germany, without provocation, invaded the sovereign nation-state of Poland on Sept. 1, 1939. Sound familiar? The following year they crushed the Maginot line like a Tinker Toy, occupying France from 1940-44 as the Vichy regime. Sound familiar? The Germans established their own so-called green zone in the City of Light, along present-day Boulevard Hausmann. Sound familiar?

... Many within the French military had collaborated with the German occupying force. Sound familiar? And yes, there were even perceived terrorists, among those my own family, shot and taken prisoner of war while operating as the Free French. Sound familiar?

So, although the intention may differ in these two wars, the result remains the same. That is, on one hand you have the intent of state-sponsored fascism and the other of democratizing the Middle East. How can [war supporters] justify both [their] intent and result without respect to the present conditions no less? America has repeated the barbarism of the past disguised as a benevolent intent. How pathetic and demeaning of our beloved America. Sound familiar?

Daniel Smiechowski

San Diego

Inaccurate quotes were accurate

Regarding John George (Letters, Jan. 25): Everyone should support Mr. George's plea for accurate citing: Let's start by correcting his misquote of my letter and misspelling my name. He says "... Deforest (sic) is correct in saying the word 'God' doesn't appear in the Declaration of Independence..." But I wrote, "... 'God' appears once in a different context in the first paragraph of the Declaration..." This was in response to Mr. Thurlow's interpolating the same word in a different context.

Later I wrote, as Mr. George agrees, the word does not appear in our Constitution. The exact phrase in the Declaration is "Nature's God." Neither usage ("Nature's God" nor "Creator") implies exclusive reference to a theistic deity. This phrasing allows both theists and nontheistic Deists to be comfortable. Even followers of Spinoza could accept this wording. I believe this was done deliberately.

The Declaration is a remarkable example of the benefit of not allowing diverse beliefs to impede primary goals. Compromise on secondary issues is key. We could use more of that type of wisdom in present-day government.

Sherman DeForest

Carlsbad

Pessimism and negativity of the left

Reading letters over the past few years, I have come to see what a negative and pessimistic world the liberal, secular, anti-war, anti-Bush writers of these gloom-filled missives are.

Being a basically optimistic and upbeat person, I view things with a realistic and reasoned set-point. I believe in the possibilities of accomplishing the difficult challenges that face this country. The left/liberal, un-American, anti-war groups who frequent this paper stand out in various topics, but especially in a constant barrage of negativity.

Here is what you can always, and I do mean always, count on: They look at the worst side of a situation. They will always see defeat rather than victory. They always lack a vision of positive outcomes.

The constant complaining, griping and bitching fills every letter. They never offer alternative ideas of their own and they never take any personal risk but dismiss those who risk all.

They [write] angry [letters] full of self-hate, self-doubt and self-loathing because they lack moral courage. ... They [seem to] despise us who believe and trust in a personal God while putting their faith in a secular, sick, cultlike worship of liberalism.

God bless America.

Ben Bennett

Oceanside

Thank your lucky stars

It appears there are more and more Letters to the Editor from bleeding-heart liberals, with most being written by ... hate-Bush-and-the-Escondido-City-Council [types]. To name a few: Rott, Kaskurs, Leopard, LaCorte, Stinson, Klein, Sloan and Ballerino. Are these ... letter writers organized by possibly the North County Forum? They all seem to have short memories and are afflicted by myopia.

[Their letters] vilify the Escondido City Council for trying to do the right thing for their city. They [seem to] hate George W. Bush, but would [probably] be the first to blame the government for not protecting them when we are attacked. These ... [people] need to count their blessings and thank God they were lucky enough to have been born and raised in this great country!

Junious Montgomery

Carlsbad

Say no to 'Frankenfoods'

Ask your readers to tell Congress/FDA to just say no to "Frankenfoods" (cloned, irradiated, genetically modified) and food harvested/processed under unsanitary conditions.

The FDA appears to forget its origin mission, which is to protect the food of people (who pay taxes to support the FDA). The FDA seems to care more about industry lobbyists than our health and safety. ... More research is needed before the FDA uses humans as guinea pigs. The FDA will not let us vote with our pocketbooks since it refuses to require labeling of cloned, irradiated and GM foods. The rest of the world may be more intelligent and less corrupt, because they often refuse to buy U.S. agribusiness' GM products. This hurts our economy, including the balance of payments, and further erodes respect and support from other countries.

A documented guest worker program requiring sanitary housing (including toilets and hand-washing facilities near crops) could prevent much suffering and save millions of tax dollars in health care costs from food poisoning.

More inspectors are needed in food processing plants to correct the filthy conditions and avoid the contamination that irradiation is supposed to destroy. What could be more important for homeland security than protecting our food supply? ...

Dr. Nora LaCorte

Carlsbad

Water board rushing new runoff rules

The Regional Water Quality Control Board has done great damage to the San Diego economy, and almost no one knows about it. This obscure, state-appointed board has rushed into adopting new stormwater runoff rules that could slap millions of dollars in new costs on taxpayers, businesses, government agencies and consumers. ... The new rules are of questionable effectiveness, and could even do more harm than good to water quality. But instead of working with the business community and the public to come up with workable, proven and cost-effective methods, the board has developed its new regulatory scheme under a cloak of anonymity.

That's bad news for everyone in San Diego County who feels that both clean water and a healthy economy are essential to our quality of life.

At the very least, the board should have waited until its state counterpart in Sacramento ññ which is also working on new stormwater rules ññ issues its new regulations. Now, we could end up with two sets of conflicting stormwater rules.

For the good of our local economy and our waterways ... write to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and ask him to intervene, since he appoints the board members.

Dan Lopez

project manager

Barratt American

Carlsbad

What's it all about, Georgie?

What's it all about, Georgie? Could it all be about oil contracts? Are Prime Minister al-Maliki and/or President Jalal Talibani holding out? Are U.S. taxpayers to reimburse oil companies? Will there be 30-year oil contracts with Iraq?

Are U.S. taxpayers to rebuild Iraq oil fields? Are they to guarantee 20 percent profits to oil companies? Are there to be more no-bid contracts for Halliburton? Will the surge make it all come true? Say it isn't so, Georgie!

Joseph Eichstaedt

Escondido

Awards night honors best, worst letters

We want all your readers to know that North County Forum will hold its 10th Annual Letters to the Editor Awards Night this Saturday, Feb. 3, in Vista. We will celebrate the best and worst of about 7,000 letters printed in the North County Times in 2006. We appreciate your open letters policy.

We monitor the Letters section all year for the best and most entertaining letters and sound bites, and give awards in several categories. There is great power in many of the letters.

This event is aimed at liberals and progressives, and is a yearly celebration of our voice in the cacophony of democracy. We are proud of our history. In 2003 and 2004, we gave awards to writers who said the war in Iraq was based on lies, that U.S. troops would not be greeted as liberators and that a U.S. invasion and occupation would trigger instability, greater violence, maybe civil war. How did we know more than White House intelligence?

For more information, contact me at NCForum@sbcglobal.net or call (760) 758-2410.

Dick Eiden

director,

North County Forum

Vista

Minimum wage hurts poor it tries to help

Contrary to the rhetoric by the Democrats, the people harmed the most by a minimum wage are precisely those it is intended to help -- the poor. The idea legislators can help low-income workers simply by mandating a pay raise is stupid.

While it might sound good, the reality is quite different. Forcing employers to pay low-skilled workers a higher-than-market wage, in the absence of any changes in productivity, will decrease the number of workers hired (the law of demand). It would be much wiser to let workers and employees freely negotiate wages than to enact a minimum wage law that interferes with freedom of contract and prevents low-skilled workers from gaining experience and the work ethic necessary to achieve higher living standards.

This issue doesn't address how to achieve economic growth and thus reduce poverty, but this Legislature will probably get the Democrats' votes and that's all they really care about.

Michael Beiter

Murrieta

Environmentalism bigger threat than warming

We were told during the 1970s that the world would undergo a state of "global cooling" due to carbon emissions. They told us that oil would run out by 1990.

People believed this thoughtlessness like they would believe the world is flat. It was a religious experience for them.

"Global warming" is the new hype. I have good and bad news for you, however. Global warming is self-limiting. We will run out of cheap fuel before too long and we'll need cheaper alternative energies to replace it. If global warming is as devastating as foretold by Al Gore, then please compare that to the effects that a tumbling U.S. economy due to overzealous environmentalism would have on us and a world that is starving without the food and support we give them.

Besides, if we stop manufacturing, China and India will take our place and produce more pollution than we could ever think of.

The reality is that there are more reasons than human-made carbon emissions that are causing a rise in global temperatures. Volcanic activity (especially in Siberia) and solar activity have increased over the last 10 years; this adds to global heating.

Come and find out all about this subject at the Murrieta/Temecula Republican Assembly's (www.MT-RA.com) next meeting, titled "The Truth versus The Politics of the Greenhouse Effect" on Friday night at Temecula's Pat and Oscar's restaurant. Our Speaker, Dr. Harry Kloor, holds doctorate degrees in both physics and chemistry from Purdue.

Bob Kowell

Murrieta

Let Iraq settle own civil war

It is good that Chaparral High student Jeanette Washburn (Letters, Jan. 21) is into the Iraq issue and the high school government class. However, about her tirade on Nancy Pelosi and the power granted to Congress in the U.S. Constitution -- please everyone read Article II, Section 8, about appropriation of funds.

As to the Pentagon on Iraq, they just received a manual on street fighting in Iraq, which was not in their plans. They don't do street fighting! Who in the West Wing has been in a street fight? Or in wartime combat? What plan dealt with street fighting? Or had enough troops? For stopping the looting, guarding the borders, etc.

Read the history of the Sunnis and Shiites. The Middle East will not accept a Shiite leader, and there always has been turmoil and chaos in the Middle East. Iraq is in a civil war. And you do know the Kurds are not Arab and do not speak Arabic? Please read the Associated Press article in The Californian, Jan. 22, "Historians and analysts offer dismal forecast for the future in Iraq."

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is a Shia who has praised Hezbollah and has ties with Iran, and is backed by Moqtada al-Sadr. This government is suspect. No more targets for this civil war. Bring the troops home!

Bill Wasley

Murrieta

Gay marriage opens doors best left closed

The letter from Kayla Smith (Jan. 21) criticized my outlining the dangers of changing our definition of marriage. Any subject I included was a subject that the opposition of such change has put forth and was germane to the discussion opened by Ms. Rebecca Kuhl's letter Jan. 13.

It is agreed that the homosexual pair should have equal protections with the heterosexual couples. That is why "civil unions" are beginning to be the law of the land. However, as opposition parties and students of the law have stated, changing of the definition of marriage from one man and one woman opens the door for all sorts of minority groups to plead the same wish, to be married to their loving partner, no matter sex, number or gender. This is real cause for concern. The unintended result of the change in definition of marriage, that has been the same for thousands of years is fraught with danger.

We already have cases of people suing now for the legitimizing of polygamy, marriage of 10- and 12-year-olds and other minority sects based on the homosexual argument. And religion certainly was the basis of most of our laws, including marriage. Remember the ancient story of Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve...?

Paul Puma

Murrieta

Presidential field growing

It appears that everybody Time Magazine selected for "Person of the Year 2006" has decided to parlay that award into a presidential bid.

Perhaps, we should require each "POTY" to complete a form stating his/her intentions regarding the presidential race for 2008. We could then free up newspaper space for important events.

Randall Freeman

Menifee

Web Comments:



Team officials: Partnered cities may keep Bolts

Readers respond to our Jan. 30 story about a San Diego Chargers official saying that it could take several regional cities working together to keep the football team in the county.

New Charger home

Floyd: "Let me get this straight -- you want to build a football stadium with increased home taxes? Are you planning on letting the homeowners in for free at all events held in the stadium? If not, don't use taxes to build the stadium!"

Never happen

Randy: "Mark Fabiani, the team's lead negotiator for a new stadium, shows his ignorance of the relationship between North County cities. Oceanside and Carlsbad disagree over the opening to the public of streets that have been completed for years, such as College Blvd. Oceanside and Carlsbad would disagree over virtually every aspect of a joint agreement to bring the Chargers to North County!"

Football flu

Sick of it: "Isn't anyone getting sick of hearing how much the Chargers want to stay in San Diego? If that's true, they'd stay in Mission Valley where they have access to four freeways, the trolley that goes right into the stadium and a site that's only a few minutes from a big airport. Also, note the costs associated with that stadium -- $400K for one year. Who in Oceanside wants to take on that obligation? Not me."

Not you

james: "Easy there North County Folk. No one's talking about you. The deal is obviously between National and Chula. He didn't exclude North County for political reasons, but a seaside deal between National and Chula would make the most sense and benefit both cities -- so don't get your panties in a bunch there North County."

Charger chant

We want Chargers: "We want Chargers, we want Chargers, we want Chargers. Oceanside loves the Chargers!"

Escondido checkpoint nets 28 drivers

Readers respond to our Jan. 30 story about Escondido police citing 28 drivers out of 721 vehicles that passed through a driver's license checkpoint Monday afternoon on West Valley Parkway.

Good start

Ken: "Great work and I do hope that the police will enable a member of the ICE to assist and check status of drivers as well. I am sure that having no license or no insurance is how the illegal aliens drive. I hope that other North County cities will do the same."

Go for it

Concerned: "I'd like to thank all the illegal aliens and their supporters for helping to turn So Cal into a police state. That said, I'm all for it. Enforce the laws!"

Own detriment

Support Our Oops: "Escondido may be the only place in the world where its most vocal citizens automatically assume that if 23 drivers are cited for driving without a license they must all be Mexican, or in their lexicon, "illegal aliens". These must be the same upstanding citizens who raid undocumented worker camps during the day while the workers are out in the fields working, and slash and destroy all of their personal belongings. What will it take for these to realize what a black eye they're giving their own city?"

FAA: No shops at the Oceanside airport

Readers respond to our Jan. 30 story about the Federal Aviation Administration telling the Oceanside City Council in a letter that it can't allow a commercial development on 14.7 acres at the city's airport, saying a federal grant the city used to purchase the site locks it in as an airport.

Pricey playground

City Council, bought and paid for: "So now a few hobbyists have a place to play. They can build high rises next to Lindbergh and Montgomery fields but no building at all in Oceanside? Why, the ten planes a week that take off there might be in jeopardy? The pilots bought the last election, bragged about it in their press releases, and now own the city council. Maybe they think they'll expand the airport to serve the new stadium? It's business as usual in Oceanside, the backwater of San Diego."

Cleared for take off

Here's an idea: "Instead of letting the airport go because no one likes it, clean it up and make it less of an eyesore and maybe more pilots will start to use it. I know of several pilots that moved to Fallbrook and Ramona because of issues with the city."

Bags of money check

Ed: "Well hats off to the FAA. The airport is far more important that having another Costco in the area. It's hard to believe that the city council brought this up. How much money was wasted by this ship of fools?"

Free hugs movement reaches Temecula

Some readers responded to an article Tuesday about a 19-year-old Temecula man's participation in a widespread campaign promoting free hugs, which he advertises by wearing a sign on street corners:

Nothing's free

Jay: Free hugs? That's un-American. Someone should franchise this and make a few bucks. Watch out though, the pervert police will be monitoring. At what point does a hug become "inappropriate touching?" Lawyers, get your briefs out!

Enforcement needed

Honking?: Were the cops out writing tickets to the honkers? If not, why not? ... And just where were the cops when these people were honking? That's illegal and they should have been cited.

Beware of Border Patrol

Pete Nice: I would try this, but I'm Mexican and the Border Patrol would be all over me & would probably try to blame me for the high taxes this country pays.

Not in Texas

Eddie: I lived in San Diego two years ago & had to move back to Dallas. I think the free hugs that Jacob Rede is offering is a terrific gesture! I'm just glad that he is out there, though, because if he were anywhere here in Texas doing that, someone would assault or try to kill him!

Get a real job

Suspicious in Temecula: Free hugs? From 19-year-old Jacob Rede? No way. Never. No thanks. Not now and not ever. No, period. Now, please go find yourself a real job, Jacob, and become a productive citizen.

Hugs needed here

Mike from Chicago: Keep it up, Jacob! People like you inspire others. I'm glad there are young people like you out there. Seems like people who post here need hugs the most.

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Pre-Registration Comments[-]Go to Top

Alf wrote on Jan 31, 2007 12:01 AM:Paul Puma does not want to understand that it is a simple thing to redefine marriage. All it takes is to state that marriage is "between one human adult and another human adult" or "between 2 human adults". Voila! All the necessary definitions are right there in plain English. Shazam!But, then again, who am I to try to take all the "ifs, ands and buts" out with a little common sense?

Ricardo wrote on Jan 31, 2007 12:34 AM:Ben Bennett amd Junious Montgomery hit the nail squarely on the head. Another common denominator of the looney left contributors is their apparent lack of military service. They are the first to criticize the United States and the last to defend it. The mere thought of defending to the death their right to freely express their point of view is enough to make them soil their linen. Hanoi Jane, Hanoi John and draft dodger Bill: It is the Vietnam antiwar protester syndrome déjà vu. Some things never change.

Randy wrote on Jan 31, 2007 2:22 AM:The national minimum wage has not increased in a decade. During that time, inflation has decreased the purchasing power of the dollar. But worse, the spread between the lowest-paid corporate employees and the bosses has grown astronomically. Golden parachutes are routinely awarded to CEOs for substandard performances, while we sit idly by, watching the systematic destruction of the middle class!

To J.C. Wynne wrote on Jan 31, 2007 5:11 AM:I agree totally with you. In my experience with the courts I was interviewed for jury selection. I flat out told the court it was wrong to have interpreters in Spanish as we are in American and we speak English. I was removed from the jury. Interestingly, so were two Hispanics for saying they would only believe the testamony of the accused when spoken in Spanish and not the English interpretation. All of us were happy to be off the case. In the jury selection room they also show a hoky "do your part for justice" movie. What they leave out of the movie is the fact that justice isn't served until the Judge sentences the accused. Of late, many Judges (Vermont for example) don't sentence, but legislate from the bench. Example the two child molestation cases where the "perp" is basically given a get out of jail free card. I call that Monopoly justice.

Hiccup wrote on Jan 31, 2007 6:22 AM:Words of wisdom (hiccup) from Larry Barry-NOT! Go home and take care of your own problems. Beware of sobriety checks Mr. Barry...

confused wrote on Jan 31, 2007 6:33 AM:So exactly what is Larry Barry trying to say about Samoans and their culture in his letter? That the parents of the alleged murdering kids are in jail or unfit because they are Samoan? Is this just an idea that popped into Mr. Barry's head or does he actually know something about these boys' parents? What does the poverty in Samoa have to do with anything? Or the fact that many work for the tuna industry at less than minimum wage? Don't people realize how racist they sound when talking about things they know nothing about?

no J.C. wrote on Jan 31, 2007 6:43 AM:After reading Mr. Wynne's opinion that everyone in Vista that does crimes is an illegal immigrant from Mexico, I think it is fair to say that the "J.C." doesn't stand for Jesus Christ.

14th Amendment wrote on Jan 31, 2007 6:48 AM:I got a news flash for Lora Wainscott. Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

don't lose it, Ben wrote on Jan 31, 2007 7:32 AM:Ben Bennett got so furious with us "liberal, secular, anti-war, anti-Bush writers of these gloom-filled missives" that he sputtered out in the last paragraph of his "realistic and reasoned set-point", causing the letters editor to bracket all those words he left out. Don't have a stroke, Ben. We aren't really as "secular, sick"..and "cultlike" as you think.

Harold wrote on Jan 31, 2007 8:11 AM:Ben Bennett is quick with the labels. Disagree with the president’s mismanagement and political failings and he (Ben) produces an avalanche of name-calling. He validates his rant with “God bless America”, like President Bush, he has the approval of a higher power. What a guy.

An Upbeat Liberal wrote on Jan 31, 2007 8:45 AM:Ben Bennett's letter is confusing. It's nothing but a negative screed of complaining. But nevertheless, he has a point. So let me share some happy thoughts from a liberal dude. In less than two years, W will be nestled in retirement in Paraguay. The Congress has been won by the Democratic Party. The minimum wage is about to be increased. Arnold is moving lefter by the day. The Congress just passed strong ethics reforms. The Congress will soon pass a strong critique of the President and may even start holding the reins in Iraq. The ACLU continues its great work applying the Constitution to the underdog. And when we need even more chuckles, we have Stewart and Colbert. I have to admit, it's getting better! A little better all the time!

Global Warming wrote on Jan 31, 2007 10:14 AM:The Christian Science Monitor reported today that 120 scientists who work for the federal government have complained that they were pressured to squelch and alter reports to make them look less supportive of global warming. Now I know that bloggers here have debated about whether, or how, scientists might be "bought off" by one or another special interest group. But this is a group of scientists that are government employees, not employees of "big oil" or "alternative fuel" interests. This is our government, the agency that we are supposed to rely on for ethical and honest practice. Why are their bosses acting like they are a special interest group?

Tick-tock wrote on Jan 31, 2007 10:15 AM:10:14 and no comments. Curiouser and curiouser

Tick-tock wrote on Jan 31, 2007 10:15 AM:10:11 a.m. and not one single comment. Curiouser and curiouser.

to Ricardo wrote on Jan 31, 2007 10:16 AM:Your 12:34 post is tongue-in-cheek, I take it. We all know the military records of the Bush administration and the neocons, and lined up against the Democrats...well, the contrast is rather large. Good one, Ricardo. Thanks for starting our day with a laugh.

Harold wrote on Jan 31, 2007 10:17 AM:Ditto for Richardo

To Lora Wainscott wrote on Jan 31, 2007 10:23 AM:You silly wabbitt their offspring if born here in the great USA are American Citizens. They are just as American as you and I are!!! You can blame our Founding Fathers for adding that little Amendment called the 14th. So I think they rather enjoy their culture right here in America the land of the Free and the home of the Brave. God Bless the U.S. Consitution and God Bless America.

gimmeabreak wrote on Jan 31, 2007 10:32 AM:Really, Ricardo? What Vietnam unit did President Bush serve in again? How about Cheney? What service branch was Rove in? Limbaugh? Hannity? O'Reilly? Michael Savage-Weiner? Was Coulter a WAC, or just a Whack-job? Ben Bennett sees the world as rosy - but is just isn't looking at the whole thing. He's reinforcing the perspective that conservatives simplify everything to black and white, and miss a whole lot of the gray that dominates any scenario. Junious has been Lunious for a good long time, and reinforces the point every two weeks or so, with his latest penned ramblimg.

Earth to wrote on Jan 31, 2007 10:36 AM:Junious Montgomery. Earth to Junious Montgomery. Can you hear me? You do not have to be a "bleeding heart liberal" to call un-human, inhumane, grand-standing, unrealistic, amoral actions for what they are. The politicians you mentioned did their best to earn each and every criticism. But then to you, it's "my way or you are a illegal alien supporting, bottom-feeding, bleeding-heart liberal." Your vitriol-spewing, hate-filled, right-hand foul-ball, over the top, continual dose of babbling bull is good for nothing except as examples of the most illogical, least rational, least effective letter-writing known to Mankind.

Ron wrote on Jan 31, 2007 10:58 AM:One question: What would a U.S. Department of Peace actually do, Elizabeth Burmeister? Isn't that what the State Department does now?

Alf wrote on Jan 31, 2007 11:00 AM:"Ricardo", "Vietnam antiwar protester syndrome déjà vu.", during Viet Nam, the nightly news became "we killed XXX of them and they killed YYY of us". What, sir, is an acceptable "kill-ratio"? By extrapolation, therefore, What is a daily acceptable loss? More precisely, How many sons and daughters is it OK to let get killed today? What about it Ricardo, how many? How many killed, not so that we can speak freely, but so GWB can ???

to Randy wrote on Jan 31, 2007 11:09 AM:Hasn't the spread between the lowest paid actors and the highest paid actors increased astronomically? Are you envious of Clooney and Tom Hanks as well? Or only CEO's?

Ron wrote on Jan 31, 2007 11:10 AM:Ah, the old comparing the U.S. to the Nazi's old trick, Sound familiar? As i recall my reading of history regarding World War II, the French totally folded, and were over run by Nazi's Panzer divisions, with the aid of French Nazi sympathizers. Why did you leave that out, Mr. Smiechowski? And again, as i recall my reading of history, the United States was an unwilling participant of that war, until we were brutally attacked by a memeber of the Axis powers, the Japanese. And again, as i recall, we had many, many, many ships sunk by Nazi U-Boats attempting to bring aid to our allies, and still we did not strike back until we were hit. Our isolationist nation wanted nothing to do with the 2nd World War until we knew we could no longer stay out of it. The enemy brought us in by their actions. Sound familiar?

i gotta say wrote on Jan 31, 2007 11:38 AM:I really hope Hillary is the next president so I can slam all the negative, pessimistic, anti american, blame america first, un patriotic, terrorist coddeling, self doubt, self loathing, lacking moral courage conservatives like Ben Bennet. If she wins, Ben, let me be the first to say it: Love it or Leave it. God Bless America.

don't lose it Junious wrote on Jan 31, 2007 11:42 AM: Junious seems to have the same problem as Ben Bennett - getting so upset that he starts sputtering in print. Must be rough thinking people who don't think like you must be evil. By the way, I am a member of the North County Forum and you Mr. Montgomery are definitely invited to our yearly bash this next Saturday night. I don't think you would much enjoy yourself but hey, you might learn something :)

Blake wrote on Jan 31, 2007 11:54 AM:10:14 AM; Global Warming. Read about the scientists that Exxon has been buying off since the Kyoto Protocol of 1997, to publish favorably toward the oil industry. Exxon has used vast political contributions to guide the Bush administration's posturing on climate change. Also, ExxonMobil successfully arranged the ousting of the world's top climate scientist Robert Watson as chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

gordon wrote on Jan 31, 2007 11:56 AM: States that raised their minimum wage have stronger economies, like Mass. or California. It raises the standard of living. That's a concept some of you can't fathom! Countries such as the UK or Ireland with around $9.00/hr min wages have strong economies. Republicans like McCain want it abolished. It's called the race to the bottom, but some of you just don't get it.Wait til we are a Third World country and it hits you over the head.

BAF award wrote on Jan 31, 2007 12:02 PM:Congratulations Daniel Smiechowski, you are today's winner of the Blame America First award! (Audience applause). You have won a round trip ticket to the West Bank, where you will be welcomed by radical Palestinians who will treat you to a full fun-packed day of American flag burning. Kerosene will be provided, so no need to bring your own. Great job, Daniel. You've earned it!

Blake wrote on Jan 31, 2007 12:13 PM:Daniel Smiechowski’s comparison of the Iraq occupation fits better than your going off subject again with U-Boat attacks and the Japanese. Better luck next time around.

Blake wrote on Jan 31, 2007 12:17 PM:Raaaaahn! Daniel Smiechowski’s comparison of the Iraq occupation fits better than your going off subject again with U-Boat attacks and the Japanese. Better luck next time around.

For Ron wrote on Jan 31, 2007 12:36 PM:The United States Department of Peace (or DoP) is a proposed cabinet-level department of the executive branch of the U.S. government. The original idea of a Peace Department in the United States dates back to the administration of George Washington, but has been most recently proposed by Rep. Dennis Kucinich in 2001 and formed a part of Kucinich's presidential campaign platform in 2004. A bill for this purpose, HR 3760, was introduced in the House of Representatives on September 14, 2005, and the legislation currently enjoys the support of 75 co-sponsors. On September 22, 2005 Minnesota Senator Mark Dayton introduced a senate version of the Department of Peace legislation, bill number S.1756. This bill has one co-sponsor, Senator Jim Jeffords of Vermont. Both Dayton and Jeffords have retired and will not return to the Senate for the 110th Congress. The US Department of Peace is also an independent grassroots political movement that operates autonomously and that has continued to gain momentum after Kucinich's bid in the 2004 presidential election. The ongoing movement is co-led by Kucinich and the author and popular motivational speaker Marianne Williamson. This movement actively lobbies for the endorsements of congressional leaders. It has local grassroot chapters in over 200 congressional districts.

Earth to wrote on Jan 31, 2007 12:37 PM:"i gotta say". How many hyphenated insults are there? Surely we can do better. On to serious matters, if all the possible Presidential candidates including, as someone mentioned, a dead Pat Paulsen, disappeared and there was no one except Hillary Clinton or Junious Montgomery, I would break out my hara-kiri (or seppuku) sword and prepare my final meal.

And while we're at it... wrote on Jan 31, 2007 12:58 PM:we should change the name of the Department/Secretary of Defense back to Department/Secretary of War. More accurate. The military hasn't been in the defense business in many decades.

Bennet reminds me... wrote on Jan 31, 2007 1:02 PM:of the quote, "When facism comes to America, it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross."

to BAF award wrote on Jan 31, 2007 1:25 PM:Why don't you just knock it off with your sarcastic garbage?

Mike the Marine wrote on Jan 31, 2007 1:59 PM:For Daniel Smiechowskito compare the US Forces in Iraq as Nazi invaders is ludicrous. The American forces are forced to battle the insurgents using civilized rules when the other side is not hindered with a conscience, much less any morality. Whatever the political will of the leadership this country, to compare it to the Nazi invasions, is not only incorrect, but shows an overabundance of ignorance.

Concerned wrote on Jan 31, 2007 2:27 PM:Department of Peace? Is there a Department of War? No. There is the DoD and D is for Defense. A DoP is a ridiculous idea. What more could we do for the world? The UN is here. We grant all kinds of villins diplomatic immunity to visit. We give food and money away like there's no tomorrow. We give, give, give and the world hates us. Department of Peace? Forget it!

Ron wrote on Jan 31, 2007 2:51 PM:OK, For Ron {12:36 PM}, You gave me a lot of numbers and people who support "another" Government office (with more costs) But nothing in the way of "What They Would DO?" It's not as if we don't have a Department already slated for that particular task, i.e. The State Dept. Tell me what they would do differently. Something totally new, never been tried, and outside of any other current Dept's task's and issues.

Still shocking wrote on Jan 31, 2007 2:57 PM:In all the debate about Iraq (and now Iran), two related things seem almost never to be talked about. First, the idea of the US establishing military bases in Iraq. Maybe I've just missed it, but shouldn't this be a front and center topic of conversation? Do the people of Iraq want "permanent" foreign bases in their sovereign land? Have we made removing the bases part of the deal in our exit, even if it's on Bush's schedule? Second, what's up with Saudi Arabia? Why isn't more said about the relationship between Bush/US with the Saudis? What role is seen for them in the middle east? Whose side are they on in Iraq? How do the Saudi leaders feel about Iran? About Israel, for that matter? It's odd, because they are obviously the big power in the area, are a far cry from being a democracy, and yet...almost nothing about them. Does this make anyone else but me wonder? I know we have a few bloggers that are good researchers in current events. Maybe Blake, gordon, or good old Giuseppi can assist in these two (related, I think) areas. Much thanks.

Ron wrote on Jan 31, 2007 3:09 PM:Yes, Global Warming, let's talk about federal government, "...the agency(s) that we are supposed to rely on for ethical and honest practice." OK, let's start with William Jefferson-D, LA, you remember him, Mr. Cold Hard Cash. And then there's ol' Harry "Windfall Profit" Reid, the new Senate Majority leader. And then let's talk about Nancy's promise for the most honest and ethical Congress in history. Yes, let's start with her first choice of House Majority leader John "Abscam" Murtha. And then let's talk about House Ethics panel member Alan B. Mollohan, D-W.Va. Mr. Mollohan's congressional earmarks take it to give to his friends. Like his purchase of a 300-acre property with the CEO of a company that was given a $2.1 million defense contract with Mollohan's support. (Can you say "War Profiteering?") Are these the people your refering to when you say "We must rely upon their honest and ethical work?" And you say these people "work for us?" Are you sure about that? "Why are their new Democratic bosses acting like they are a special interest group?" Because they know, play ball, or here's the door. It's the ol' Potomac two-step.

to Gordon wrote on Jan 31, 2007 3:13 PM:But gordon, many conservatives in their hearts, whether they admit it or not, think the third world society is near-ideal. The wealthy and the poor (aka cheap labor). Minimal taxation. What taxes there are go to police to guard the rich and maintain civil order, no questions asked. Corruption galore, but corruption that serves the interest of the wealthy. What's the problem with that?

to Concerned wrote on Jan 31, 2007 3:24 PM:There is no question that the US has done an enormous amount of giving to needy people and governments the world over. But I think that often, we do adopt an attitude of great superiority as well as one of being more or less perfect. We talk about how much we give, but almost never acknowledge what we take in return. We talk about standing for democracy and freedom, but deny our support for dictators that serve our interests. So one reason many "hate us" is for our holier-than-thou hypocrisy. Another thing is that the US, if anything, stands for self-indulgent individualism. Even many Americans find moral fault with Hollywood, pop-culture, the sexualization of childhood, the world seen as a vast territory to seduce buyers. In many places, this is what the US exports, so they might hate us for that as well. But I don't think many in the world hate our ideals of democracy and individual freedom from tyrrany.

Oh, Ron (from Global Warming) wrote on Jan 31, 2007 3:28 PM:My post was about the Bush administration squelching scientists. I don't disagree at all with your charges against such as Jefferson of Louisiana. But, sheesh, that's off topic. The corruption and dishonesty in the case at hand is in the Administration. So for the sake of this discussion, about governmental scientists and climate work, can't we stick to the topic and not take your habitual left turn? no one said the Dems were pure. Sheesh.

Blake wrote on Jan 31, 2007 3:29 PM:Do ANY bad guys have an “R” in front of their name Ron? Just wondering?

to Ron (from Global Warming, con'd) wrote on Jan 31, 2007 3:33 PM:Sorry, forgot to finish. So, to go back to topic. These 120 scientists say that the administration has pressured them to spin, squelch, and otherwise misrepresent their findings in their reports. Ron (and others, please), a simple question that has nothing to do with Democrats or other times in history: are you ok with this practice? Is this the way government science should work, or is it a violation of the public trust? (OK, folks, place your bets: can Ron answer this simple question? Can he do it?)

to Ron wrote on Jan 31, 2007 3:50 PM:But Ron, Democrats are for the people. The little guy. They would never do those things that have been written about them in the newspapers. Their scandals just aren't true I say. And if there is a shred of proof, it's all Bush's fault anyway.

Two things please wrote on Jan 31, 2007 4:09 PM:Does Larry Barry ever say anything that isn't negative about other people? And thank goodness for Harriet Bledsoe..she points out the obvious. Chargers are going back on the deal they made with San Diego. For us to take them on is like marrying a guy who already cheated on his wife and expecting him to be 'honest' with us. Chargers go away.

Ron wrote on Jan 31, 2007 4:10 PM:As to bad guys with an R's behind their names: Sure, Cunningham, Ney, off the top of my head. Pervert Foley. But again, my dear friend, their all gone bye-bye. Where is the fall out with these members I've just named? YOU TOTALLY DON'T GET IT, DO YOU? It's not abour the Letter behind their names, it's about their actions. When they get caught, they should be treated as guests, in our House, and thrown out. I'm waiting, but not holding my breath for the Democrat house cleaning, as promised by Pelosi. She didn't mean it, otherwise she would not have selected Murtha of Abscam fame, nor would she would have selected Alcee Hastings, an impeached former Federal judge to chair the House intellegence committee. Clearly a bad sign, of things to come. I believe in forgiveness as much as the next guy, but to offer Top Secret's to a felon is just beyond stupid. But politically, and in judgement. She had a "Cat Fight" with Jane Harmon, who was next in line for the chairmanship, but she skipped over her, selecting Hastings. Then, when that blew up in her face, she went to the 3rd chair? Over a personal beef with Harmon? Where is her professionalism?

To Mike the Marine wrote on Jan 31, 2007 4:23 PM:I agree that the comparison to Nazi Germany is not fair. But the US did invade a country without being threatened or attacked, and then occupied that country. I invite you (or others) to think of a good historical analogy. I know we have some good historians here. Seems like a good topic to discuss.

Picky, Picky, Picky to Ron wrote on Jan 31, 2007 4:44 PM:Your use of their, as in "my dear friend, their all gone bye-bye" may be spelled wrong. I think that you mean "they're", as in the contracted form of "they are". You are gonna like this, talking about people at a barber shop - "They're there with their hair to be cut." Anyway, if it was on purpose, I'm glad that you're having fun. Imagine whirled peas.

Ken wrote on Jan 31, 2007 4:55 PM:"To Mike the Marine", the term that springs to mind for to "invade a country without being threatened or attacked, and then occupied that country" is conquering. Otherwise known as stealing, may be for nothing other than stealing the resourses of that country, like crude oil.

Floyd wrote on Jan 31, 2007 5:59 PM:The top-5 highest paid congressmen are Democrats and you seriously think they represent the "little guy"? Try again, please.

to Ron regarding crooked Dems wrote on Jan 31, 2007 6:47 PM:Ron, you point to a number of Democrats who have, to say the least, questionable records. Until a few weeks ago, Republicans ran both houses of Congress. How do you explain that none of these people were called on it or punished? Escpecially when some prominent Republicans were punished. Honestly, I don't understand this. Do you? Can anyone explain this in a sensible manner? Thank you in advance.

Go Chargers wrote on Jan 31, 2007 8:49 PM:I hope th city does gt the Chargers to come but I think it is unlikely. The Chargers want cooperation and Oceanside can never see an opportunity through to make a deal because the nay sayers in the city always find a hundred reasons it won't work. No one wants the city to make a bad deal but we could at least try to hang in long enough to see if there is a possibiity of a deal. Lets trust the council and give them space to see if there is any deal possible. Oceanside is its own worst enemy because we listen to every griper who wants a minute to bad mouth anything good fo Oceanside.

Joe B to Randy wrote on Feb 5, 2007 6:53 PM:Do you have to know the CEO before you agree with their salary? Randy, Randy, Randy, I feel so bad for you. You are confused. At least he is for Tri-City CEO's golden parachute, in fact, as a board member he helped creat it.

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