No Light in the Tower wrote on Jun 1, 2007 11:13 PM:Once again Edward Towers has provided us his opinion unencumbered by any factual information. It is a wonder Oceanside survived before he moved here!

Rice a crony, the Alabama treat .. wrote on Jun 2, 2007 12:32 AM:… Lois Richmond (letter today) insults the intelligence of our Marines by stating that they were uplifted and inspired by the speech of Condoleeza Rice, a deceptive and devious double-speak artist. I suspect most of them listened because they were commanded to attend. Tell me one single thing that Rice has ever said that was uplifting and inspirational. People who have been around Rice for a long time, such as 87 year old Helen Thomas, dean of White House reporters, has utter contempt for Rice. http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/11/22/34310.shtml ) Rice blew into Pendleton to preach and pontificate, not to answer questions or communicate with either the Marines or the press. Like the NCT Times editorial of May 24 stated: “… in her quick visit, Rice chose not to speak with the media. We suspect there may be some questions the Marines, ever the gracious hosts, didn't get around to asking.” But she did not have any time or desire for their hard questions. What if one of the Marines had asked her “What are we dying for?”

Good Riddence Fallwell wrote on Jun 2, 2007 6:32 AM:This man did more to divide this nation than any one I can think of. Good Riddence Fallwell.

Karl wrote on Jun 2, 2007 6:42 AM:In Larry Falick's letter today he states that "While Mr. Carter wasn't the ideal president, at least no troops died while he was in office!" Did he forget about the botched attempt to rescue the hostages and the helicopter crashes in the desert?

Ron wrote on Jun 2, 2007 8:12 AM:Barbara Vickroy, they've run out of logic and facts, so they revert to name calling. It's all they got left. Consider the source.

GFN wrote on Jun 2, 2007 8:19 AM:Edgar Towers, I hope you are wrong. This type of undercover financing cannot be tolerated and must be disclosed if it is true. To "No light in the tower"; are you saying what Mr. Towers wrote is untrue?

Ron wrote on Jun 2, 2007 8:22 AM:That's why, whenever someone like Richard Crews's offers his solutions of socialism, communism, etc. I just laugh. Clearly, they don't know what their asking for. Socialism is a lot closer to Communism, but yet, they will bicker over shades of gray. They eventually all get corrupted, go bankrupt, and leave the peasant class comrades holding the bag, while the oligrachy retires in wealth to a little villa. And it also seems to me, that in the case of universal healthcare and other movements toward government run anything, one thing remains clear. They are simply changing one slave master, the insurance companies, for another, the government. Tryanny begins with a monopoly, and if the government is given control over your retirement, your safety, and now your health, isn't that kind of a bad thing? Diversity seems to be a better way of protecting one's self.

GFN wrote on Jun 2, 2007 8:28 AM:Harriett Bledsoe, please keep the fire to the feet of these people. As we have seen in the City of San Diego, emotions trump common sense when it comes to sport franchises, especially when the city will have its own private box for council member's use, they will be allowed to hob-nob with the athletes. One needs only to review the history of Susan Golding when she was mayor of San Diego.

Nor wrote on Jun 2, 2007 8:46 AM:I tend to agree with Lois Richmond. Ms. Richmond laments that the cartoon depicting "Condi Rice with a devil's tail speaking to Camp Pendleton Marines is in poor taste." My hunch is the devil would agree. I imagine Satan would be offended being compared to Ms. Rice.

GFN wrote on Jun 2, 2007 8:49 AM:Cecilia Lenard, they DON'T plan on funding the already stressed health, education and social programs and related infrastructure if the immigration package passes, and nothing will significantly change. The plan as now proposed will be enforced for a short period of time and then the Congress will realize that it will be impossible to administer as written and things will be as they are now. And, you are correct...millions more family members will migrate here to join those who are illegally here now. How will this be justified?...the trickle down theory...having millions of minimum wage earners will help American business and that will be good for all. Of course, it will take decades for the benefit to get to you and me, but not for our federal government.

Nor wrote on Jun 2, 2007 8:50 AM:Cecilia Leonard has a point, there are laws that are not being enforced, and even GW's new law will, in most part, be ignored. The GOP will arrogantly pass the amnesty bill, because they know that the typical GOP voter will continue to cast their votes for the usual suspects rather than vote Democratic. Conservatives made a deal with the devil, and now its time to pay their dues.

Nor wrote on Jun 2, 2007 8:53 AM:Barbara Vickroy is not fooling me. She may be correct in saying its not a matter or race or color, but she will never convince me its not a matter of class. The immigration debate is little more than NIMBYism on a grander scale. It is indeed, "I have mine, and to hell with everyone else."

Nor wrote on Jun 2, 2007 8:58 AM:Add another chapter (and another culprit) to the demise of "Father Knows Best" Family Values that Pat McDonald writes about. Many never realized, or perhaps just chose to recall that Conservative icon Ronal Reagan was the first U.S. Governor to sign a "No-Fault" Divorce Bill into law. So much for Conservative Family Values!

Nor wrote on Jun 2, 2007 9:02 AM:I'll offer one answer to Rob Edwards question of naming one good thing to come out of socialism...how about a health care system that is available to more than just a few, instead of creating a untouchable, rich, and protected industry available at a high price to only a few?

Nor wrote on Jun 2, 2007 9:05 AM:Greg Howard has me wondering. With all the talk about Rosie Odonnel from conservatives, do lots of them watch The View and mainstream media for their news? I always thought that conservatives would better serve their cause by voting with their remote controls instead of their mouths.

anonymous wrote on Jun 2, 2007 9:08 AM:Hey, I was that "anonymous" that Barbara Vickroy was writing about. Seems I hit a nerve. So Barb, is educating an "offspring of an illegal" as bad as educating an "illegal"? What if that "offspring" is a bona fide American citizen? Of course race matters to people like you. You don't like the culture or the language, you think Mexicans are somehow less human than European immigrants, and your whole viewpoint is to discriminate against Hispanics as a way to curb illegal immigration. Look around at all your Hispanic American citizens/neighbors and tell them that "that is enough thank you go to Mexico now".

yada yada wrote on Jun 2, 2007 9:22 AM:"..Marx, Engels, Castro, Chavez and their filthy religion are dead. May they rot in the dustbin of history." "Yada, yada. Just more squealing and whining." What a reasoned intelligent letter Rob Edwards wrote today. heheh.. Actually Richard Crews is a very sweet man who cares for everyone. When you can't dispute facts, just make personal attacks, Rob.

god bless Mexico wrote on Jun 2, 2007 9:49 AM:These guys like Neil Turner always crack me up when they end their hateful missives with a hearty "God Bless America!" as if that makes their xenophobic tirades against outsiders somehow "holy". Actually, it makes one wonder why God in his infinite mercy would think America deserves anything but the "dust bin of history".

"Despicable" wrote on Jun 2, 2007 10:23 AM:Uplifting and inspirational? Are you speaking about Condi, mushroom cloud over our head, Rice?

OBSERVATION wrote on Jun 2, 2007 10:37 AM:LOIS RICHMOND LETTER: I researched what Ms Rice said to the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267.\, 30 Marines and sailors. She thanked them for their service and sacrifice etc. She did not really say anything uplifting and inspiritual. I did not find any quotes form the limited amount of Marines and sailors which would support Ms Richmond statement. Lois Richmond has a bad habit of imagining what other people are thinking and saying as well as putting words in other people's mouth. I did not see the cartoon.It really does not matter. What is matter is the it can be printed due to freedom of press and freedom of speech.

yes!!! wrote on Jun 2, 2007 10:48 AM:The Clinton record was very good. Unfortunately Bush has managed to grind us down. The middle class is weakening, the poor are poorer, people are loosing their health benefits, their good jobs, and our school children are having a tougher time. But don't despair, Bush is helping the Mexican Government get rid of their poor, uneducated people. So he has done good for a Country, Just not our Country. Bush is really digging in his heels on his amnesty bill, just as he has done in Iraq. But then again he is the "Decider."

to Rice 12:32am wrote on Jun 2, 2007 11:10 AM:Hilarious! Helen Thomas has utter contempt for Rice. Helen Thomas is an unabashed far left hack, who has contempt for anyone to right of Fidel Castro. Who else do you have for us who may have contempt for Rice? Al Franken? Howard Dean? Noam Chomsky? Face it already. You guys hate Condi Rice because she never bought your line of victim mentality that has been forced on the black community for decades. Many blacks have bought into your new age plantation, but not all. My hat is off to Condi Rice. She is an amazing woman. It's too bad some can't admire all that she has done. You consider Rice politically disobedient. I call it bald faced racism.

gordon wrote on Jun 2, 2007 11:34 AM:No new immigration laws should be allowed by We, the People, until an independent economic impact study is done and an ACTUAL count of the more than 12 million illegals here already. Also, demand an investigation into the conspiracy by the Bureau of Labor Statistics(BLS), where they are fabricating employment growth,which mutes the case against amnesty. According to Bloomberg yesterday, the ACTUAL PAYROLL EMPLOYMENT DATA shows only 19,000 jobs created in the 3rd quarter of 2006, compared to 490,000 jobs claimed by the BLS. The BLS has claimed we created more jobs in '07 with the GDP running .6% than last yr during a GDP growth of over 6%! My guess is the Bush cronies/appointees infest the agency and are inflating job numbers, also by using their birth-death model, they added 250,000 phantom jobs in April, 317,000 in March, even as GDP slashed.

ACE wrote on Jun 2, 2007 11:41 AM:Yes, Rob Edwards...."Other than to quote Karl Marx, when has Richard or his "crew" ever offered viable solutions?"....To answer your question: Never! They suffer from Bush Derangement Syndrome, a mental disorder which renders the afflicted unable to offer solutions. After spewing hateful and empty invectives, either in letters or at the local cafe amongst friends, the afflicted eventually reach a nirvana where he or she feels superior, satisfied, and typically uninterested in offering solutions or any kind of realistic policy alternatives. Kind of like smoking a bong or taking LSD. If you think that his letters were bad, imagine the fit he is throwing today after being reminded once again that his beloved religion of Marxism rots in the dustbin of history.

for Lois Richmond wrote on Jun 2, 2007 12:03 PM:I thought Condi's tail in the cartoon looked quite hot actually.

Father Knows Best wrote on Jun 2, 2007 12:27 PM:So, why is it that we have an employment pool vacuum which results in the Bush adminstration turning a blind eye to undocumented/illegal workers? Here's one place we could have legally filled the employment rosters with US citizens... Our celebration of a women's "right" to terminate pregnancies has resulted in an annualized abortion rate of 1.25 million deaths each year (USA) . I find it tragically ironic that now we must turn a blind eye to illegal immigration to supplement an aging work force. We need more able and willing employees to fill employment ranks and Big Business is all too happy that the pool of employees is coming from a disenfranchised and manipulatable subservient illegal population. It is estimated that we have over 15 million illegal immigrants in the USA and get this; we estimate successful illegal border crossings a a rate of 1.25 million per year (where did I see that 1.25 million number before?). Perhaps, back when Roe v. Wade was decided, had we not opted to unleash the unmitigated abortion genie, maybe we would have enough young workers today. If these workers were American Citizens as opposed to the less politically empowered illegal aliens, we may have entry-level wages that don't subjugate an entire class of people to impoverishment. The consequence of the current dynamic is the largest rift between the haves from the have nots since the roaring twenties...and we know how that movie ended (The Great Depression). Oh, by the way, don't look now but that Social Security Check that you are counting on in about 2022,..may not be there. The work force v. retiree ratio has been turned upside down by rising average ages and lower birth rates reduced further by abortion on demand. God does have a sense of humor,..he just delivers the punch line on a different timetable. The sins of the father/mother are visited upon the son/daughter...or so it seems!

Larry's right wrote on Jun 2, 2007 12:45 PM:I just wanted to help rewrite history regarding Jimmy Carter's presidency. Of course, there were no troops that died during his presidency. There was no helocopter crashes in the desert from an ill planned mission to save hostages from Iran. Jimmy also did the right thing by eliminating human intelligence gathering during his presidency. Who needed those people in the Middle East to gather intelligence anyway. We needed electronic methods to do that. OK, tongue in cheek comments aside...Many troops have died in the Middle East because of the decisions Carter made during his presidency. The lack of human intelligence makes it extremely difficult to perform our missions today. Another note, Jimmy's contributions (bad mouthing our country) just adds to the bitterness much of the world feels about us. But in the spirit of friendship, let's not blame him. It must have been all the dust in those peanut silos that gave him dementia.

To 12:32 poster wrote on Jun 2, 2007 12:49 PM:Helen Thomas is not a person to be using as an example for credibility. Thomas has long ago given up her ability to be an impartial reporter. She puts her personal views up above those journalistic ideals that should be displayed. She is not the dean of White House reporters. She is just a bitter person whose usefulness as a reporter has long ended. She is not an impartial reporter anymore...she is a mouthpiece of those who hate Bush. You can hate Bush all you want, but when you are in a position where you are supposed to be impartial, just report the information you are supposed to without using your personal beliefs to try to persuade others.

So much for that theory... wrote on Jun 2, 2007 1:19 PM:NY police have reported foiling a plot to blow up parts of JFK airport. One might say, "there goes the theory that fighting them in Iraq is so we don't fight them here". But of course not. Bush defenders can say, "Oh, but there would've been MORE domestic attacks if we weren't in Iraq" This is, obviously, unprovable (just like the other side can say "there would've been LESS if we weren't in Iraq"). This shows how utterly empty the theory is, and why no one should bother saying it. It sounds like it has meaning, but it doesn't.

Socialism wrote on Jun 2, 2007 2:11 PM:Let's see, the government builds the roads, provides a safety net for people, ensures that everyone has a chance to be educated, creates and enforces regulations to ensure that children are not forced into labor, that meat is not contaminated, that drugs are tested before doctors can prescribe them, that people of color are not discriminated against systematically...well, we could go on indefinitely. Almost every one of us would be up at least a creek without socialistic elements in our society, and many would be drowning in much deeper waters. Without the socialistic impulse, our society would be purely based on unchecked social darwinism, which for some reason is the favorite kind of society of conservatives, who often detest actual Darwinism. Irony there.

Conservatism wrote on Jun 2, 2007 3:00 PM:Conservatives are capitalists and believe that entrepreneurs who amass great wealth through their own efforts are good for the country and shouldn't be punished for being successful. Liberals are socialists who view successful business owners as people who cheated the system somehow or got lucky. That's why they don't respect high achievers and see them as little more than piggy banks for their programs.

Conservatism wrote on Jun 2, 2007 3:00 PM:Conservatives believe in confronting and defeating enemies of the United States before they can harm American citizens. Liberals believe in using law enforcement measures to deal with terrorism, which means that they feel we should allow terrorists to train, plan, and actually attempt to kill Americans before we try to arrest them -- as if you can just send the police around to pick up a terrorist mastermind hiding in Iran or the wilds of Pakistan.

Conservatism wrote on Jun 2, 2007 3:01 PM:Conservatives believe that government, by its very nature, tends to be inefficient, incompetent, wasteful, and power hungry. That's why we believe that the government that governs least, governs best. Liberals think that the solution to every problem is another government program. Even when those new programs create new problems, often worse than the ones that were being fixed in the first place, the solution is always....you guessed it, another government program.

Conservatism wrote on Jun 2, 2007 3:03 PM:Conservatives are patriotic, believe that America is a great nation, and are primarily interested in looking out for the good of the country. That's why we believe in "American exceptionalism" and "America first." Liberals are internationalists who are more concerned about what Europeans think of us and staying in the good graces of the corrupt bureaucrats who control the UN than looking out for the best interests of this nation.

to So much for that theory wrote on Jun 2, 2007 3:49 PM:Your 1:19pm post looks at the theory in black and white, not in a "generally speaking" context. Consider those of us who support our mission in Iraq. Using your logic, any periodic decrease in casualties and homicide bombings, we could also say: "there goes the theory that our presence in Iraq has only created more terrorists. The theory is utterly empty and no one should bother saying it."

to conservative wrote on Jun 2, 2007 4:10 PM:That's a really simplistic overview of both liberals and conservatives. I could argue each of the points but how about just this. WWI fought by Wilson a liberal. WWII fought by FDR a liberal. Vietnam fought by LBJ a liberal, retreat by Nixon a conservative. Actually all of these are way more complicated than blogs allow. May I suggest you try reading a college level general history of the United States. It will broaden your mind and allow you to see the complexities of all the points you tried to make.

to Ron wrote on Jun 2, 2007 4:14 PM:Come on fella' you've got to quit comparing socialism and communism, especially the communism you're thinking of which is Marxist-Leninist. They are two entirely different philosophies. The fact that you always refer to anyone who disagrees with you as a communist just makes you sound like one of those old John Birchers, kinda dumb and kinda out of touch and kinda old. And it makes less cogent any point you are trying to make.

Wolf wrote on Jun 2, 2007 4:18 PM:To Pat McDonald, was America a better placebetter when it more closely resembled Father Knows Best households and families? To Thelma Dunn, apparently you missed the universal Hillary care episode- i.e. socialism

Rice ?? wrote on Jun 2, 2007 4:19 PM:I suppose any woman who has risen as far as Condi has is to be admired, but when you say you admire all she has done without citing some examples, I don't know. She really doesn't seem to have actually done anything. Maybe you could enlighten me?

to Ace/Ron wrote on Jun 2, 2007 4:21 PM:You seem very knowledgeable about bongs and LSD. Now I understand why your blogs rarely make sense.

Mike America to yada yada wrote on Jun 2, 2007 5:04 PM:Hey Mr. yada yada yada, we know Richard Crews is a real sweety, and you're a genious; so why don't YOU answer Mr. Edwards's question; name one good thing that's come from communism. We're waiting, commie.

Here's a strange one wrote on Jun 2, 2007 5:17 PM:What do French, German, or British conservatives believe? What military action should the US have taken against Tim McVeigh? For that matter, have the police or military actions in the "war on terror" been more effective so far? I'm thoroughly liberal, and I think our Constitution makes the US a truly great nation, so I distrust fear-mongers and "exceptionalists" who always find a way to say something is more important than that Constitution. I believe in government programs, but only as a last resort. This includes any kind of welfare program, but also includes going to war. Conservatives seem to think that government should be huge, and funded infinitely (though with other peoples' taxes) as long as the money goes for the military and for programs that dictate morality. As a liberal, I have no grudge whatsoever against anyone that has "made it" financially. If they actually HAVE cheated, of course, they should be dealt with like any other criminal. But otherwise, here's to them! I hope they have a sense of gratitude to the country that made their success possible and give a little back, and they are not deluded by the fantasy that "I did it on my own". I could care less what people in other nations think of us, except that in the complicated world, I sure do like having allies. That we can't do it alone (just like those merry entrepreneurs) should by now (see Iraq) be obvious.

OBSERVATION wrote on Jun 2, 2007 5:39 PM:to So much for that theory wrote on Jun 2, 2007 3:49 PM: The problem with your statement is that there is a decrease in casualties and homicide bombings. The bottom line is that the coffins keep filling up.

So much for that theory wrote on Jun 2, 2007 5:47 PM:Both bloggers who addressed my earlier post seem to have misread something. I believe I said that, yes, both sides of that argument are empty. I must say, however, that there are independent ways to judge whether Iraq has been a recruiting bonanza for radical Islam. From what I've read, the experts all across the political spectrum, left to right, tend to agree that this is so. Personally, I have no way to know. But when left and right agree on something like this, I tend to be persuaded.

to Mike America wrote on Jun 2, 2007 5:52 PM:You make the same mistake Ron does, equating communism and socialism. They are two completely different philosophies on government. Just go to Wikipedia and read up on each and you'll see what I mean. It is entirely possible for someone to advocate for something to be done socialistically and still be anti-communist. You and Ron are older folks who grew up during the communist scare in America, and have never gotten over it. Does anyone even know or care about communism today? I don't think so. Socialism may still be a relevant way to solve some of our problems. p.s. Why do you guys who have lived your entire lives including your retirement drawing a government paycheck, you know, living off the good graces of the tax payers...why are you always so oppossed to the actual government that pays you?

you know wrote on Jun 2, 2007 5:55 PM:I think over half of the blogs here are just Ron under different names arguing with himself. There really doesn't seem to be much from anyone else.

To No Light and GFN wrote on Jun 2, 2007 5:57 PM:Mr. Towers speaks the truth regarding the use of Certificates of Participation (COPS) as a way of school districts raising money without the approval of the taxpayers. Unfortunately our local media has dropped the ball in reporting this method and it takes someone like Mr. Towers to bring attention to it. Check with your local school district and get their take on it. Better yet google Certificates of Participation and you will find 1.3 million references such as [Web site] You can form your own opinion.

Conservatism wrote on Jun 2, 2007 8:09 PM:Conservatives believe in pursuing policies because they're pragmatic and because they work. Liberals believe in pursuing policies because they're "nice" and make them feel good. Whether the policies they're advocating actually work or not is of secondary importance to them.

Conservatism wrote on Jun 2, 2007 8:11 PM:Conservatives believe that marriage is one of the most crucial building blocks of a healthy society, and that anything that weakens the institution has the potential to do enormous harm to our country over the long haul. That's why we believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman. Liberals support gay marriage, and appear completely unconcerned about the long-term damage that glibly toying with something as important as marriage could do to our country

Conservatism wrote on Jun 2, 2007 8:14 PM:Conservatives believe that encouraging poor people to be dependent on the government is counterproductive. Instead, we believe that by keeping taxes low, the economy strong, and by supporting churches and charities, we can create an environment that allows the poor to help themselves. Liberals believe in keeping poor people as dependent on the government as possible because people who are reliant on the government for their sustenance tend to vote for the political party that will give them the biggest handout.

No Light in the Tower wrote on Jun 2, 2007 9:46 PM:Certificates of Participation (COP's) are time purchases and are considered as debt the same as bonds. They have State rules for their use which are provided for by law. Almost all Cities, Counties and School Districts use this financing mechanism. Like all debt COP's must be repaid, only with existing tax revenues. This is not bond financing and it does not result in changing anyone taxes. Mr. Towers has not discovered some undisclosed flaw in the tax system, as usual, he is just uniformed.

If wrote on Jun 2, 2007 10:15 PM:Conservatism believes that marriage makes a healthy society then tell me why so many of them are divorced. Many have been married two or three times and have cheated on their wives? Most of the Liberal candidates are still with their first wife. Liberals support equal rights for all our Citizens. President Bill Clinton moved more people off welfare by increasing the employment rate so they wouldn't be dependent on the Government. Bush is taking us backwards, as well as spending our treasure in Iraq.

Conservatism wrote on Jun 3, 2007 10:29 AM:Conservatives believe in "do as I say, not as I do". Today's posts gush with evidence for this. Conservatives say democrats and liberals are defeatists for being opposed to the war, but I've yet to hear a Republican politician say that the 70+% of Americans who are opposed to the war are defeatists. That's because conservatives are practical and do what works...what works for their political aims, including spinning, lying, pandering, or anything else "that works".

I can't wait wrote on Jun 3, 2007 12:26 PM:When this administration is done and after some time goes by, I suppose Condi will write her autobiography. The burning question is, of course, how such a brilliant woman makes the decision to become subservient to the likes of George W. Bush. Even if her politics are genuinely conservative, and even if W is much brighter than he pretends to be, still it is clear that Condi, who has obviously valued the life of the mind above all else in her life, has chosen to be the poodle of a man who is inferior to her in every way but family wealth and power. Is that it? Will she think it was worth it as history's verdict on Bush comes in decade after decade? Time will tell.

conservatism wrote on Jun 3, 2007 7:28 PM:conservatism isn't a belief, it's an absence of belief. An absence of belief in almost everything that has worked for our country.

well, wrote on Jun 4, 2007 10:00 AM:I guess Condi isn't so brilliant after all.