Realist wrote on Jul 4, 2007 11:30 PM:Despite what many bloggers believe, I believe in freedom also. I believe in protecting our way of life, which is in danger even as we speak. I believe in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights just as any other American. I believe in our good president, who has helped the economy out of a slump, who has stepped up to the plate to defend our Country from terrorists. However, I do not agree with all his decisions. But I am glad that some one has the guts to go to the terrorists homeland and fight the war there instead of having dead Americans lying in our beloved streets. Keep that in mind when going to the polls in 15 months.

Escondeeter wrote on Jul 5, 2007 12:18 AM:Michele Erwin has an easy solution. Take the car that she's been storing on the street for long periods and put it in the driveway. Park the cars that come and go to work every day on the street. The law is intended to keep people from using the streets to store unused or infrequently used vehicles, because by doing so they deny everyone else the right to park. No one has the exclusive right to use the parking space in front of their home, it belongs to everyone. Bottom line: if it's not going to be moved for more than three days, don't leave your car on the street. The law in question has been in the vehicle code for over fifty years, in fact, if memory serves, it used to be a more stringent 48 hour limit instead of 72.

LYING UNDER OATH .. wrote on Jul 5, 2007 12:52 AM:... Lewis Libby lied under oath. Wrote Robert Bork and James Rosen, in the National Review: "Lying under oath strikes at the heart of our system of justice and the rule of law. It does not matter in the least what the perjury is about ..." Virtues paragon Bill Bennett, speaking to the WSJ: "And we know that when a person testifies under oath that he doesn't remember something when in fact he does, he has committed perjury." OF COURSE, these Republican hypocrites were speaking about Bill Clinton, not Scooter Libby. Such hypocrisy! The truth became inconvenient for the GOP.

Mary wrote on Jul 5, 2007 1:02 AM:To Mr. Vargo and Mr. Forbing.... YAWN! What a boring life you must have that you are so consumed with proving your religious views are the only correct ones.

SameOlStory wrote on Jul 5, 2007 1:18 AM:As usual, Michel, one guy screws it up for everyone. The location you mentioned is one of several areas in the city where the public right-of-way is being used by the operators of unlicensed 'curb-side used car dealers' to conduct their nefarious activities. That's probably why long-term parkers are attracting the attention of enforcement personnel.

To Michele Erwin wrote on Jul 5, 2007 3:24 AM:You omit an important fact. What does the driveway lead to? Could it be a garage? Who lives in the garage? You have a house in the Grand/Rose area and only have room to park one car off street? Your story does not ring true. Two people, three cars, none in the garage, about time the City cracked down on the on-street parking abusers. They got your neighbor too, that's good.

Ralphs wrote on Jul 5, 2007 4:47 AM:To Eric Parish, were you there in Haditha? I think not. Then I say that you do not know of what you speak. Lets listen to all sides before we condemn some for protecting your freedom to wrtie to a newspaper. Also, to those who now want the airport at Carlsbad closed as a danger to the public. Baloney! How many people are killed on the highways on a yearly basis? Do you want them shut down as a danger also? There are more good people killed every year on the roads in the U.S. than have been killed in Iraq. That makes our highways the largest danger you will face on a day to day basis.

FOCAL POINT wrote on Jul 5, 2007 6:48 AM:Realist wrote on Jul 4, 2007 11:30 PM:Iraq is not the home country of the terrorists. The majority of them did not show up there until after we had invaded and remained as occupiers. Quit playing the "follow us home card." The terrorists can strike anywhere in anyplace in the world right now. This includes the United States. Terrorists do not have to wait until we leave Iraq. In fact, even if we win in Iraq, terrorists still could strike in the good ole USA. The American people will be considering the election in 15 months. It will not be a Republican victory of the GWB ilk. What concerns me is that 1,000 to 3,000 more American fighting men will not be able to vote. They will be dead.

FOCAL POINT wrote on Jul 5, 2007 6:51 AM:TO THE EDITOR: Several blog members have requested that you follow your own policy by putting religious based letters in the faith and value section of the newspaper. Are you going to do it?

Editor: wrote on Jul 5, 2007 6:59 AM:Faith and values letters appear at www.nctimes.com/faith/

To Michele Erwin wrote on Jul 5, 2007 7:28 AM:Michele, yes I do think the City of Escondido has stopped harassing the homeless, but they are far from finished harassing the immigrants in the community! This parking measure is ill-fated and ill-advised way of stopping over crowding. You will not get much support or good suggestions from anyone on this forum as most of them agree with parking ordinance as one has already accused you of having someone living in your garage. Unfortunately, Michele you and others are what is now being called "collateral" damage. You are not the intended target but you still get shot! I would suggest that you attend the City Council meetings and make your protest to those who are in control of these decisions. Yes, I agree with the fact that no one has the right to say you can not park your car in your front yard. Well, except for Gallo, Waldron, Abed! I have three cars and only two people live in my home so what? Also I wonder what the people with teenagers who live at home are going to do, you know 4 cars, 4 drivers, where to park and what to do to avoid getting tickets? I am sure Waldron, Abed, and Gallo will not be seeing any tickets on their cars no matter where they park!!!

FOCAL POINT wrote on Jul 5, 2007 7:30 AM:Editor: wrote on Jul 5, 2007 6:59 AM: Then why are the letters from Stephen Harris in Irvin Forbing in that location instead of the letters to the editor section?

Alf wrote on Jul 5, 2007 7:40 AM:Well, "FOCAL POINT", while I agree that religious letters belong in the "Faith and Values" section and even though we have "separation of church and state", many issues intertwine "news" and "religion". The issue of teaching evolution at public schools versus creationism, the issues of "gay" anything, the issue of the Soledad Cross, and on and on. Where can one draw the line? It would be optimal to have hard and fast rules, but who sets them? Where do you think the line should be drawn? Still an unabashed Libertarian, Alf.

FOCAL POINT wrote on Jul 5, 2007 8:27 AM:Alf wrote on Jul 5, 2007 7:40 AM: Hi Alf. I used to think that the Supreme Court should decided these issues. But, it seems to change its' mind every other generation. I do not know where to draw the line. It could be debated or discussed ad infinitum. In my opinion, those two letters belong in the faith and value section as they seem to preach rather than to inform.

Vista Granny wrote on Jul 5, 2007 8:40 AM:Hello! This is for Ron. Please see my comment made to you after yesterday's letters. Just as Alf is an unabashed Libaertarian, I am an unabashed Liberal! Everyone in an HMO, and everyone who has an income under $100,000 per year should go see Sicko. Although Medicare is getting shorted by the Republicans and GWB, it is still a great program, except for that awful prescription drug plan. Straight, unadulterated Medicare gives you a choice of doctors, hospitals and treatment. No permission from a bean counter needed. Fortunately, I can still afford to buy prescriptions if I need them, and don't have to go generic route every time the way HMO patients do. Think about it Ron. You'll be old some day -- if you don't die first.(Maybe from something that could have been cured in Cuba, who knows?)

TO: the editor wrote on Jul 5, 2007 8:56 AM:Several bloggers have requested that you not print Eric Parish's same ol anti-American, ant-military trash 26 times a year; will you stop?

Ron wrote on Jul 5, 2007 9:01 AM:Do you have a garage, Michele Erwin?Ssee, that wasn't so hard.

Ron wrote on Jul 5, 2007 9:20 AM:I know it's like beating your head against a wall, Frank Wilkes. But... you must understand the type mass hysteria, and is leaning towards border-line psychosis, in some cases. People who are "hysterical" often lose self-control due to the overwhelming fear, while truly psychotic types are experiencing a "loss of contact with reality." No doubt, BDS began shortly after the 2000 election, and has spread like wild fire. This outbreak was not caused by the war in Iraq, it was caused with his "suspect" election, even though 7 newspapers have done a complete recount (including hanging, pregnant, and voter intended chad's), it still was not enough evidence. Then you had the Ted Kennedy-Bush Medi-Care drug program. Most libs would have been happy, a brand new gov't program, expanding the size of gov't... but No, it's was deemed a big give-away to Big Pharma, even though it was co-written by Ted Kennedy. I could go on, and on.. but you get the drift. Nothing Bush does, or will ever do will be right, or can be right. Despite any evidence to the contrary, Bush Derangement Syndrone does not allow them to see accept any other than, King George, he's running all branches of the government, and taking away our civil rights.

Alf wrote on Jul 5, 2007 9:32 AM:A good question, "Realist", is - By what means did GWB help the economy out of a slump? I'll clue you in. He started a war by invading Iraq. All that industry building all those bombs, bullets and vehicles. Yup, there sure is more work making more uniforms AND BODY-BAGS to put those dead American soldiers who are wearing the uniforms. Two of the "down-sides" of the GWB way are over 3,589 dead American soldiers and enough spending money that we don't have to bring our economy to complete collapse in the near future. How many millions and billions and hundreds of billions of dollars are we spending along with how many soldiers die each day in order to "help(ed) the economy out of a slump"? Your "logic" in this is not logical - "But I am glad that some one has the guts to go to the terrorists homeland and fight the war there instead of having dead Americans lying in our beloved streets." The terrorists didn't come FROM Iraq, some of them came TO Iraq, and some of them we "pushed over the edge" INTO terrorism by an invading U.S. military that had and has no business in Iraq. Still an ubabashed Libertarian, Alf.

Ron wrote on Jul 5, 2007 9:37 AM:Liberals do want even higher gas prices, Charles Bondy. Only they want the government to be collecting the profits, and not Big Oil. Their really no different than Hugo Chavez and his notion of nationalized resources. You see, they actually do believe in "trickle down" economics, some have termed "Voodoo economics." They absolutely believe the Saviours of the Left when they tell them, they will steal from corporations, and give the money to them, in the form of government programs. Of course, it never seems to work out that way, but you must understand, this is their faith. They have exchanged their believe in God, for a belief in Big Government, and in men. (or women, if you vote for Hillary) I always find it funny, whenever I hear them quoting Ben Franklin's wonderful notion that those who favor exchanging liberty for security are getting neither. Their blind spot, it seems to me, is in the fact that they don't seem to see exchanging their economic freedom for security, is one in the same. Entanglements were a dangerous thing to our founders, whether your talking about domestic security or economic security.

Laughing at Creationists wrote on Jul 5, 2007 9:42 AM:The theory of evolution doesn't have much to say about biogenesis, which is a separate topic. Evolution is a fact, the theory is in the details, which are constantly being refined. You may go stick your head in the sand and bleat about evolution, but that won't change the science one bit.

Laughing at Forbing wrote on Jul 5, 2007 9:47 AM:You need to read a little deeper than your Xian propaganda. There are far more documents supporting the other side.

bonddi wrote on Jul 5, 2007 9:50 AM:I am tired of reading opinions about creationism -- these letters do belong elsewhere. I personally believe that life started from evolved little men from Mars who created humans. Will I get my letter printed by the Editor?

Suggestion wrote on Jul 5, 2007 10:25 AM:If any of you who complain about the health care industry (and there seems to be a lot of you) want to know how it got to be the way it is, you must read “Prostitution Insurance” ... a short, brilliant parody on health insurance by economist Arnold Kling. You can still find it at Tech Central Station (google that name) ... select TCS Daily: Technology - Commerce - Society ... from TCSDaily home page, under the “Authors Articles” tab, click on “More Articles by this Author” ... scroll down to “Prostitution Insurance,” May 15, 2007. It is an entertaining, perceptive and worthwhile read. Before we implore government to fix the health care industry, we should first understand how it got to be the way it is.

Ron wrote on Jul 5, 2007 10:25 AM:"Freedom comes from within?", No Richard Crews, we are endowed by our Creator with "certain" unalienable rights. They are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. And that Creator also gave us some rules, some laws that are absolute, and they apply to all, even if you reject them personally. Jefferson spoke often about the God of Nature, I think he personally would be appalled by what many think today is "normal." We, as individuals, work within a community, a collective, to provide liberty to all, but.. as you say, "within societal limits." We all have differing opinions about freedom, and liberty, but what matters is how we come together to decide what should be allowed, and what shouldn't be. Limiting one's liberty is not always a bad thing, we limit freedom all the time. Pushing the envelope helps to refine us, distill, and concentrate our points of view. Over the many years of human history, culturals around the world have refined things that work, and things that don't. I think we know, what works, and what is a new experiment, or a re-play of an old one. As King Solomon (970-928 BCE) learned from his years on the earth: "There is nothing new under the Sun." To say that we are limiting people's liberty and freedom because they want to pursue failed, or even foolish ideas, might be restricting them. But, I tend to think of small child and open fires.

Daren wrote on Jul 5, 2007 10:28 AM:Here's where the line should be drawn: any letters that contain religious quotes should only be printed in the 'faith & values' section.

Ron wrote on Jul 5, 2007 10:35 AM:Well, I am amazed... Eric Parish has learned something! That Armies are made to do "kill people and blow things up." Now, maybe if he can convince the rest of the lib crowd, that their not a "Meals on Wheels", we could make some progress in our discussion about their use. But, I would like to remind all of you, Eric did not want to go into Afganistan either. No oil to speak of there, guess there's no lib mantra's to go with that one?

2 the realist wrote on Jul 5, 2007 10:40 AM:You have a separate reality. Vote your hopes, not your fears.

Georgia wrote on Jul 5, 2007 10:44 AM:Mr. Vargo If you really believe that a winged celestial being is watching over you and your every move and created the earth is seven days, rather than true and tested science I have some swampland to sell you.

Free speech guy to several bloggers wrote on Jul 5, 2007 10:47 AM:What's wrong. Did you break your pinkies? Can't muster a good response on the old keyboard so you're asking the editor to intervene? Eric Parish's letters are just fine. If you don't like 'em, write your own.

Weasels wrote on Jul 5, 2007 10:48 AM:Was Ms Faulk's letter refering to Marc Rich's former attorney Sccoter Libby or was there some other recent weasel that she had in mind?

Darrell wrote on Jul 5, 2007 10:51 AM:To: "TO: the editor wrote on Jul 5, 2007 8:56 AM": I agree! Let's hear from ultra-conservatives only and fix ALL radio stations permanently to Fox! Long live the John Birch Society!

Are they joking? wrote on Jul 5, 2007 10:54 AM:I absolutely love it when Irvin Forbing and guys like Ed Vargo write the kinds of letters they do. They don't even realize the damage they do to themselves and people who think like they do. The more light they shine on their ignorance the faster that ignorance will disappear. Keep up the good work fellas! And Ed, I have some land in Florida you might be interested in. And we still have some pieces of the Brooklyn Bridge for sale as well. God Bless you guys!

Ron wrote on Jul 5, 2007 10:58 AM:Can you really.. "Take the "industry" out of health care.. when you subscribe to allowing the government industry to replace it? I don't see the difference, unless your a pure socialist, or a believer in "trickle down economics", in which the government is the one doing the trickling. SB 840 is the brain child of Democrat State Senator Sheila Kuehl, who wants the California health system to mimic the Canadian medical system. Under her plan, no private health insurance whatsoever will be allowed, only the State program. Ms. Kuehl, if you don't know, also introduced a bill to require California's textbooks to include the contributions of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people to the state and nation's history. I can envision a State run healthcare system in which, every possible group, sect, or ethnicity will be given the right to advocate for their "fair share" of medical funding, once the shift has been made to the political meat-grinder of government. Cry's of discrimmination will incite many to declare we are not providing this group, or that sect with enough funding, and we are allowing them to suffer and die. This will reach up to the career politicians, and as always, trying to retain their elective seats, they will slip in earmarks, and make votes not in the best interests of Californians, but to certain political groups that provide them with campaign funds, or it is the politically correct vote to make.

to Alf & Focal Point wrote on Jul 5, 2007 11:20 AM:I've complained about the Forbing letters too. I couldn't presume to draw the line but I believe that the editor seems to be drawing different lines for different people. I just cannot tell the difference between the Forbing letters and some that appear in F&V. More broadly, I never understood the "values" aspect of F&V either...the letters to the editor are almost all about values. The other section should just be called "Faith". The NCT has fallen for the conservative ploy of linking values with religion, which is absurd (especially for a paper with liberal bias ;-)

Laughing at Darwinists wrote on Jul 5, 2007 11:24 AM:Evolution is a fact? Funny, even in our public schools where they push evolution, it is still referred to as theory. I wonder when it will be fact. It's been 150 years already since this theory was proposed. Yet, more questions than ever remain unanswered. But, to you it's still a "fact". Okay.

So Ron... wrote on Jul 5, 2007 11:25 AM:as Michael Moore might say, "How much did it cost you to send your kids through High School? What? You don't PAY for education here? You're kidding! The teachers are government employees? EVERYONE gets a free education if they want it here? Universal free education? Socialized education? Why do you pay for others' education? Because an educated society is better for everyone? Really? Because Americans treasure the idea that all our citizens should have the basics of life? (You can rerun this conversation about Police, Fire Depts, the Military, the roads, etc etc etc). So why not health care?

I saw Sicko too wrote on Jul 5, 2007 11:28 AM:I never realized we already had socialized institutions in our country. The fire department, the police department and the post office are socialized but we don't even think of them that way. Hopefully soon we will have socialized medicine which will be just thought of as goin' to the doctor, instead of that old boogey man socialism. P. S. The movie was great and I'm a conservative.

Ron wrote on Jul 5, 2007 11:30 AM:I would have to agree with the 8:56 AM comment & Darrell. I guess since Air America gone bankrupt, and Al Franken has left, Eric Parish decided to fill the vacuum. Remember he backs the Fairness Doctrine. No Sir, removing the central control from freedom of speech is what Reagan did, it was the Democrats during their 40 reign that installed the Fairness Doctrine, which is in fact, is akin to socialism. You take a look at Fox and they have more viewers in one program, than most others (ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, et. all) have across the board. It's the same with radio, as I mentioned above. Air America going bye-bye, Rush soaring. They just can't compete, and their mad. So, now with a new socialist Democrat majority, they can seek parity, by re-regulating content. You know how I stay informed? I read, everything. And Yes, I listen to both sides--Rush, and then Big Eddie Schultz. I like having both sides, I just don't think the Congress needs to impose affirmative action for liberals so they can make some money. Get a Job!

To Daren wrote on Jul 5, 2007 11:40 AM:What is a religious quote? Is it "religious" to speak of moral obligations? ... such as: "Everyone who wins at life's lottery had a moral obligation to help those less fortunate." Should we be able to paraphrase from the Bible but, God forbid, not quote it directly?

Alf wrote on Jul 5, 2007 11:40 AM:In my 9:32AM post I did not phrase the sentence "Two of the "down-sides" of the GWB way are over 3,589 dead American soldiers and enough spending money that we don't have to bring our economy to complete collapse in the near future.". IT SHOULD BE - Two of the "down-sides" of the GWB way of fixing our economic slump are 1) over 3,589 dead American soldiers and 2) enough spending of money, money that we don't have and have to borrow from China, to bring our economy to complete collapse in the near future. My apologies. Still an unabashed Libertarian, Alf.

Ron wrote on Jul 5, 2007 11:48 AM:My dearest Granny, First of all, you misunderstand me. I don't deny the fact that we need to change the ways we are delivering healthcare in this country. 15% of Americans without health insurance is an unacceptable number to me. But, I totally disagree that government run, is the way to go. You don't tear down the house, to fix a leak in the bathroom, you first try to fix the leak in the bathroom. Right? And of the 15%, how many of those simply choose not to have health insurance? I can tell you, as a father of three young men, it was like pulling teeth to get them to cover themselves. They simply didn't see the need, over and about, say... a newer model cell phone. Many Americans simply don't choose to insure themselves, they choose other lifestyle items instead. As to those who really want it, but can't afford it, I would first ask about their use of money, i.e. the size of their mortgage payment, car payments, etc. Have they over bought? Are they exceeding their monthly incomes? Many, many are. We see that in rises in credit card balances. I personally know of many people, who took money out of the equity of their home to buy a new car. It's stupid. Maybe remodeling the home, or your kid's colege, if you haven't saved for it, then I could see it. I wholly believe most have not planned well for their lives, and simply let things happen to them. We like to believe we have planned out, but.. we all know better, don't we? But, back to the one's who really want health insurance and really can't afford it. Are you aware that State's restrict insurance companies to those inside the State? This is why you see terms like Blue Cross of California, and Kaiser Northern California, and Kaiser Southern California. Or whenever you go to Las Vegas your in a out-of-network situation? Do you really think this is an invention of the insurance companies? Or is it a compromise they have had to make in regards to State-to-State regulations? Why do you think most States have an insurance commisioner? And how does that work to his or her advantage during their election? What if we eliminated the restrictions, and allowed insurance pools to be nation wide, instead of only State wide? Think the rates would go down? And while you make some good points about Medi-Care, I would inform you the current financial track of Medi-Care is unsustainable. We have added to the mix, many, many more people to that program than was originally designed. Sure, you could say, let's just throw some more money at it, let's go after the rich. Roll back the 4% Bush tax cut's on the top 1% and that will gain you about $50 billion a year. Hardly a complete fix. And how do you keep in the black, a program with terms like this: From the Dept. of health & Human Services; Center of Medicare & Medicaid services: "...the highest premium rates only paid by less than 1 percent of beneficiaries whose incomes are over $200,000 (or $400,000 for a married couple). A beneficiary who pays the highest income-related premium in 2007 would pay $1,936.80 per year in Part B premiums, but is estimated to receive an average of $4,363.00 in Medicare Part B benefits." So, unless you turn this program into a totally welfate type program, meaning you eliminate the rich from participating, your going broke. Do some more reading, and get back to me.

John wrote on Jul 5, 2007 11:53 AM:I'm getting tired of the Frank W*****- Thomas C**** feud over what Senator Reid said. The problem is that Reid has said many things, including both of their quotes. I thought I had put it to rest: see What Sen. Reid actually said," Letters, 5/27. There's a link to Fox News that shows the quotes in context.

It doesn't matter wrote on Jul 5, 2007 12:01 PM:Evolutionary biology is a part, a big part, of modern science. Scientists at work do not debate whether evolution of species has occurred, only how it has occurred. No one cares what John Doe thinks about it, any more than they do about what John Doe thinks about string theory, the big bang, heliocentrism, the periodic table, or anything else in these fields. Some years ago, people who believed in Biblical accounts of the world strongly opposed each of these. Now it's about biology. The one and only place it matters at all is in education. If we insist on presenting supernatural ideas as having equal status in science classes, we'll just leave science and progress to the rest of the world and America will continue to be correctly seen as getting dumber and dumber. If that's what we want, so be it, but the world of science will be cruising forward, full speed, regardless. We will be a society with as much credibility in places where it matters as other primitive tribal cultures. In other words, irrelevent.

Unsocialize the military wrote on Jul 5, 2007 12:17 PM:You know, I get pretty tired of liberals always wanting to take from the rich to pay for government programs. The military is one such program that has long grown way out of control. The bureaucrats and the industries that feed off them have worked out a pretty cozy deal. Preposterous costs of bolts. Now rediculous salaries going to "contractors" (aka merceneries) at taxpayer expense. "Oh!", the liberal shout, "but we must have a government-run military to protect our freedom" I agree that we need to have a military, but nothing like what we're being bled to pay for. The military hasn't been in the business of defending my freedoms in over 50 years. Let those who want such military protection voluntarily donate as much of their salaries as they wish. It's up to each person, in the USA, to keep his hard-earned money and not let the State dictate how we spend it.

John from USC wrote on Jul 5, 2007 12:49 PM:Unsocialized military: The military has plenty to answer for. They have lifer-free-loaders in EVERY branch of the military sucking our tax dollars from our pockets. The top brass makes promises of protection not unlike the Mafia promising protection. Go figure!

FOCAL POINT wrote on Jul 5, 2007 12:52 PM:Unsocialize the military wrote on Jul 5, 2007 12:17 PM: You need to address your concerns,observations and complaints concerning the condition and use of the military to the,"Decider" who is administering,"My Government." Liberals are not the bogyman that you portray them to be. You mentioned 50 years. How many Democratic administrations? How many Republican administrations? How many liberal or conservative administrations? Liberals do not shoot that we have to have a government run military. The Constitution state who and what is raise and maintain the military. No political party or philosophy is mentioned.

LaLa wrote on Jul 5, 2007 1:17 PM:Re: Evolution's pillars are crumbling: the following quote is absolutely the reverse of actuality: "Yes, the pillars supporting the Darwinian theory are collapsing as we learn more about the complexity of the cell, DNA chemistry and examine the fossil record over the last 150 years." Regarding DNA chemistry, did you know the director of the Human Genome Project is a Christian Evolutionst? What "new" information speaks against evolution?

evolution wrote on Jul 5, 2007 1:19 PM:If there was ever a better demonstration of why we must never allow religion in government it's the two letters today from the religious fanatics. One wants to somehow prove that all our Founders wanted this to be a nation that is only Christian, and the other wants to replace science with his take on his religion. I can see it now, a Christian theocracy that prevents any science that disagrees with the Bible. Scientists arrested for proving the earth revolves around the sun or that animals and plants evolve from simpler forms to more complex forms. Luckily our Founders were smart enough to say to future generations believe anything you want just don't try to make your beliefs the National Religion.

OBSRVATION wrote on Jul 5, 2007 1:21 PM:Unsocialize the military wrote on Jul 5, 2007 12:17 PM: The Internal Revenue Service will probably take pleasure in seizing your assets. Taxes are not voluntary.

Laughing at Creationists wrote on Jul 5, 2007 1:37 PM:You need to learn to read something besides the buy-bull. Evolution as a process is a fact, in the same way that gravity is a fact. The theories about each are refinements of detail about each, NOT about the whether or not the principle is true. Evolution isn't going away in science, it is getting steadily refined. So sorry.

Socialized medicine wrote on Jul 5, 2007 1:39 PM:is coming to the US. The only detail is how much the rich and neocons are going to whine about it before it gets here.

el_patron wrote on Jul 5, 2007 1:52 PM:Well Ron, I don't believe that rconomic freedom is equally spread anymore. It's over. All the ideas you have were true 50 years ago, but the modern corporate America has killed it. And, it's getting worse. The privatization and buy-back by the super wealthy are cutting off economis successes by the small guys. It's a proven fact that USA economic mobility is more restricted now than ever before. It's a fact that economic mobility is less here than in Europe. Europe! There's plenty of money to run a national health care plan. All we need to do is tax the people who can afford it. I challenge any American making 5 million a year to pack up and leave if we tax him at 35%. I dare him. It's a rare privilege to be wealthy in America, what with the safe streets and safe banking, and I say we bill them for it.

What a relief wrote on Jul 5, 2007 2:17 PM:It must be SUCH a relief to federal judges that federal sentencing guidelines can be ignored. Seems the judge in the Libby case gave a typical sentence (actually, it was on the light side: similar cases average 70 months' jail time), but W decided this was excessive. In other words, the guidelines must be wrong.

Suggestion wrote on Jul 5, 2007 2:24 PM:Good idea, Unsocialize. But lets first unsocialize healthcare, welfare, education, and then defense ... in that order.

Ron, Ron, Ron wrote on Jul 5, 2007 2:26 PM:I once heard that "figures don't lie, but liars can figure". I think you are leaving out the 2.8% of all income (if you are salaried, of course)which is paid into Medicare each year when you figure your rather odd premiums. Those on Social Security currently pay approximately $100 per month in premiums. (more if you want prescription insurance -- maybe a lot more)plus 20% of doctor bills, surgery, high end tests like full body bone scans, etc.after a initial deductible. It's not welfare. (Don't forget they also paid that 1.4% of their earnings before they reached 65.) And you forget, or ignore, the fact that no insurance company in the USA will insure someone over 65. All expect Medicare to be first payee, and they might pick up that 20% God forbid if you've had any disease or major surgery in your life -- then no one will insure you at any age. If you believe, as you seem to, that people should just pay their own medical bills if they can't get insurance, try this: A routine surgery for any type of cancer may cost $100,000 and up. Much of that charge is due to the fact that insurance companies (including Medyicare) pay a greatly reduced rate. Pity the poor uninsured fella or gal -- they get to pay the difference, making someone like you the beneficiary of their hard work, and sometimes their life time savings. You really should go see Sicko. it just might enlighten you. Oh, by the way, I've lived in a European country and used their "horrid socialist" medical care As far as I know, it was not too bad. Had a good friend who had a baby there. She was very pleased with her care.

Vista Granny wrote on Jul 5, 2007 2:30 PM:OOps, forgot to sign the above. And, Ron, don't call me "my dearest grannie". First of all, I don't like that kind of condescending talk, second I'm not your dearest, and third -- I'm too young to be called your grannie. Jeez, you must be a hundred, the way you ramble on, and on, and on, and on, and------------zzzzzzzz

PBS/NPR wrote on Jul 5, 2007 2:31 PM:One of the really amazing things about public radio/tv is that even though they are set up by the government, they most certainly are not arms of the government. They were set up under the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the members of which had explicit orders not to interfere in program content in any way but to leave the stations independent. Until, of course, this administration appointed a Bush crony to head the CPB. Once on the job, he immediately began investigating and attacking PBS for being liberally biased. Since it was patently obvious from any of a hundred studies that this was not true, he narrowed down his search to just Bill Moyers. Studies of Moyers' programs such as NOW have also shown that guests have been at least half Republicans and Conservatives, but the crony insisted that Moyers still was too liberal. Now of course Moyers is liberal, no one argues with that. But is this what is meant by "fair and balanced"? That even if overall the news shows are fair, if you can find any little part that is liberal you can focus only on that part? I don't think so. And that crony is gone, thanks to public pressure. But it is interesting that for the first time a President attempted to use PBS/NPR as an ideological organ. For those moments, under Bush, we moved towards being Soviets with Pravda.

To the Eric Parish haters!!! wrote on Jul 5, 2007 2:35 PM:FREEDOM OF SPEECH, BABY, FREEDOM OF SPEECH. KEEP ON WRITING ERIC, YOU SEEM TO REALLY GET TO THOSE SUPPOSED PATRIOTIC AMERICANS WHO CALL YOU ANTI-AMERICAN. You Rock, Man.

Linda W, wrote on Jul 5, 2007 2:36 PM:It appears that a bunch of flat earth neocons got together to write letters to the editor.

Public Broadcasting PS wrote on Jul 5, 2007 2:39 PM:From the NY Times QUOTE Investigators at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting said on Tuesday that they had uncovered evidence that its former chairman had repeatedly broken federal law and the organization's own regulations in a campaign to combat what he saw as liberal bias. A scathing report by the corporation's inspector general, submitted to Congress on Tuesday, described a dysfunctional organization that appeared to have violated the Public Broadcasting Act, which created the corporation and was written to insulate programming decisions from politics. ENDQUOTE (from 11/05). If we sat back and calmly and objectively went through accounts such as this for the Bush years, we would be shocked, I believe, at the sheer amount of illegal activity Bush's henchmen carried out or attempted all over the government. And this example comes from a time when the Republicans controlled Congress. I believe as history unfolds and the academics get into the details that become unclassified, future Americans will look on this time with enormous shame, and with a sense of disbelief at what we, the people, allowed.

I think, wrote on Jul 5, 2007 2:41 PM:Someone is confusing immigrants with illegal aliens, what an insult to immigrants. Illegals aliens should go home where they won't be harassed.

Deconstructing Ron wrote on Jul 5, 2007 2:53 PM:Rons complete and total paranoia concerning our Government should be alarming to any and all citizens. He uses divisive language to incite fear and anger at those he deems either unworthy or a threat to his agendas. There is no debate with him. There is no dialogue with him. Only fear mongering, constant whining, blame shifting, and no acountability. He is a contradiction to himself-he hates our government, except when it fits his dogmatic worldview. He acts as if our government is a bumbling circus of idiots. It is not. It may not be perfect, but that is why informed citizens have the ability to change it. It is the mentality of don't trust it that leads it to not function properly. Ron wants you to not trust your government. He wants you to be afraid. He wants you to disengage. That is why he is constantly telling you that you are wrong. He is the parnet that chides and points out all your short comings. It is his way of maintaining control. This is what people who are insecure do. His pattern is text book. He makes things up and passes them off as facts and why he blogs here endlessly; he can not be held accountable for anything here. His presence is a distraction and is intended to drive out dissent. He blames everyone for his problems.

Cindy wrote on Jul 5, 2007 3:01 PM:Eric can write 52 letters a year for all I care. What "patriot" out there is trying to stifle free speech? Talk about flat earth people.

What do you think? wrote on Jul 5, 2007 3:03 PM:About the economy when President Clinton was President? It was pretty good for us middle class people. Under Bush it has done great for the wealthy. We were not in a slump under President Clinton.

Rose D wrote on Jul 5, 2007 3:13 PM:Although I agree religious letters belong in the faith column, I can just skip over them, so they don't bother me. I don't like anyone preaching to me about Buddha, Islam, Christianity, the Sun God, Baal or any one's God. That belongs in church for those who want to hear it.

I think wrote on Jul 5, 2007 3:29 PM:The economy under Clinton was great from 1995-2000, and the economy under Bush has been great from 2003 up through today.

Iraq and oil wrote on Jul 5, 2007 3:30 PM:</