LETTERS: NCT, July 6, 2008
By Readers of the North County Times | ∞
When will revitalization begin?
A revitalized downtown? When I was 17, the City Council was pushing a revitalized downtown area in Escondido. I am now 58 and we are still on this topic. Exactly when is this going to begin or, ummm, end ?
I am so tired of years of the same issues. The arts center: I can't afford to go there. Downtown: They have nothing I want to buy there. Hotel development: I will never be able to spend the night there and would never take a vacation to downtown Escondido. Parking: Maybe I could afford to spend the night in a parking lot, but the gang activity scares me.
It might be nice to tour the new fire stations. Maybe we could use them for winter shelters for the homeless. Well, they will have plenty of empty beds. Who will the council call for help should one of them have an emergency? Would be a sad headline: "Council member has heart attack and there is no answer at the fire department."
Jan Morrical
Escondido
Stop debating and drill now
It is now time for the idiots in the Congress to lift the oil drilling ban. While it is true this may not affect the oil prices for a few years, until enough oil is actually produced, it would be in the nation's best interest to drill for oil now instead of remaining under the mercy of OPEC. Collectively, the OPEC nations care only for themselves.
It is a great disservice for the people when these idiot politicians continue to debate the pros and cons of drilling for oil. Drill now! Of course, alternative sources of energy, including nuclear power, should also be considered.
Jesus Delfin
San Marcos
Too much shaking? Move!
This is to Richard Johnson (Letters, June 27) and all the others who have been complaining about Camp Pendleton and the training exercises.
So who was here first –– Johnson or the Marines? It was the base. He should have moved somewhere else if he didn't like what they are doing. And it must not be that bad, he's lived there for 30 years.
He complains about his dog not sleeping for three days. Why did he get a dog if the explosions were a problem? That isn't very responsible of him. These people need to realize the base was here before most of the houses and development in the area. If you don't like the sound or the ground vibrations, get out of the area. I know I love hearing the explosions –– every one I hear is like a roar of freedom, and it reminds me of all the sacrifices of the Marines and all of our military. Thank you to them all.
Jeffrey Holthus
Escondido
Vista needs a hiring hall
I have noticed that, when hiring a day laborer in Vista, you must first get a permit from the city. The permits come from City Hall. Then you must drive to another location and find a laborer to hire. This is time-consuming and an unnecessary waste of gas.
To expedite this process, why not have an approved hiring site located at the City Hall? There is shade, picnic tables, use of public restrooms and water fountains in the City Hall, and plenty of free parking.
Currently there are up to 50 laborers every day at the Vons shopping center where there are no public facilities. This plan would alleviate loitering in the shopping center and provide better conditions for the laborers. In addition, the ones not hired would have a better location to spend the rest of the day. This could provide one central location for hiring day laborers for the whole city. Result: saving gas for the citizens of Vista and improving the conditions for the laborers –– a win-win situation.
Don Pyke
Vista
Shame on him
So Councilman Rocky Chavez is resigning as chief education officer for the charter school ("Oceanside councilman resigns as leader of charter school," June 26). ... What a shame he is now letting the school down when they need him the most. But, oh, I've always (kind of) wanted to focus on politics.
Marilyn Prado
Oceanside
Rooftop solar not the solution for long-term
I would like to see more solar power in use in San Diego County, but I don't think rooftop panels will be the long-term answer. On May 8, Environment America released a report that said large-scale solar power plants could power the entire nation, combat global warming and create thousands of jobs. "If we are going to get serious about addressing our nation's energy woes, solar energy must be part of the solution," said the Director of Environment America's Washington, D.C. office. Tapping this abundant and clean energy source must be a centerpiece of the U.S. energy, environmental and economic policies.
The national renewable energy laboratory has identified the potential for more than 7,000 gigawatts of solar power generation on lands in the Southwestern U.S. alone –– more than six times current consumption. Also, these plants will be what is called CSP (concentrating solar power), so there will be 24-hour operation.
Davis Bell
Escondido
FPUD got it right, this time
Archie McPhee's recent letter to the editor ("Plant actually costs district money," June 16) again demonstrates Mr. McPhee's inability to give the Fallbrook Public Utility District staff and board of directors credit for their usual good job. Our new award-winning sludge-drying operation actually saves an estimated $72,000 per year after deducting $75,000 per year in new operating costs from the recent $150,000 per year cost of having a contractor haul the wet sludge to a Riverside County composting facility ("'Green' sludge dryer feted with engineering award," June 7).
Last year's notification that Riverside County was requiring the closure of the only such facility in Southern California left FPUD with the alternatives of paying double the cost and hauling the wet sludge to alternative sites in Arizona or central California, or utilizing this innovative high-tech drying process that will pay for itself with savings. ... The board made the obvious choice, and the staff did an excellent job of getting it purchased, installed and working; and this decision was made prior to the increase in diesel fuel costs that would have make the haul-away alternative even more expensive.
Come on, Archie, give the FPUD staff and board of directors credit for getting it right, at least in this case.
Bert Hayden
president,
FPUD Board of Directors
Fallbrook
Misinformation about the Fourth
Your online copy states: "OCEANSIDE –– It's the time of year for hot dogs, fireworks and patriotism and downtown will be the place to be this weekend to get a taste of all of them. The colorful Fourth of July weekend festivities will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday when hundreds of civic, military, dance, athletic, Scout and art groups parade down South Coast Highway in a Freedom Days Parade."
So, do the colorful Fourth of July weekend festivities start on Saturday the fifth? The day after the Fourth?
Edward Smith
Oceanside
Cell phone fine is the real story
The real story is not that you must use a hands-free device or face a $20 fine (first offense), but rather, what the actual fines are in each community; i.e., in San Diego the actual fine is to be over $100 for the first offense. What will it be in Poway, Escondido, Del Mar, Oceanside, etc.?
I only heard about San Diego as an "oh by the way." So the story is not the fine being $20, but who catches you at it and what they want from you.
Jerry Laplante
Rancho Penasquitos
Time to make room for Hamilton
I am one frustrated American with the way Rep. Issa represents my best interests and those of my country in the Congress. In the committee hearing that brought in the CEOs of the companies largely responsible for all the foreclosures to answer for their behavior, Issa's opinion was, they did nothing wrong; when it came to extending benefits to police and firefighters families who lost their loved ones on 9/11, Issa said no; and going along with Bush and the proposal to drill for oil off our pristine shores, Issa says yes –– as he always has to whatever Bush proposes, no matter the bad effect it has on our country. The oil they pump won't reduce prices until we get the dollar to be worth more, and one oil spill and the shoreline is ruined.
I've looked over his opponents in the coming election, and I like what I see. Robert Hamilton is a sensible, responsible, successful man who will be much closer to what our country stands for. Time to move Issa out and a responsible, smart replacement in.
Lee Becker
Vista
Fireworks should be a thing of the past
Fireworks are a waste of money and a fire hazard, and cause hundreds of pets to flee in terror from their homes. The Escondido Humane Society has its hands full with pets still left from the fires and now from foreclosures. Many Americans still don't understand that we have to change our wasteful ways and our old ways of thinking. Is it worth a few minutes of oohs and ahhs?
Constance Messina
Poway
Sweet and sour Supreme Court decisions
The two recent Supreme Court decisions are sweet and sour. The first one says there is no death penalty for child rapists. The two girls are 5 and 8 years old. ... Those girls are scarred for life, mentally and physically. I believe any parent would have killed him on the spot if caught in the act.
The second court decision is an answer to the first one. They said the Second Amendment protects the "right of the people to keep and bear arms" so they can defend their homes and family. There is no better feeling than knowing that if a monster or a gang of lowlifes breaks into your home, you have more power in your finger on the trigger than all of them put together. A little woman can take down the biggest, baddest dude when she takes a firearms course and learns the basics.
I love your Oliver North column. I believe the anti-North letter writers hate him so much because they ... know they could never be a patriot like Ollie.
Ronald Hutchison
Oceanside
America is about a better life
The Constitution lays out six goals for we the people in the Preamble: form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.
Many conservatives believe the only role of government is to protect citizens from invasion and to protect us from each other. Creating the conditions for better human life is not government's job, according to them. It represents a dim view of human nature, and as you can see, is at odds with our own Constitution.
They like to talk about the Constitution, but have they read it? Notice the Constitution doesn't say America is a land of greed, investors, capitalism, domination or Christianity (though people are free to practice any religion, or none). In fact, four of the goals are liberal goals: perfect union, justice, general welfare and blessings of liberty. Creating a country and a world where people can live free and safe within a society that makes the good life possible for everyone is a noble, liberal goal. It is also the stated goal of the U.S. Constitution.
Paul Cavanaugh
Ramona
A plan to restore constitutional order
June 30 may be remembered in history as the day Americans began, in earnest, the moral and solemn process of holding their (servant) government accountable to the Constitution –– under threat of withdrawal of allegiance, support and tax money.
On Monday, approximately 1,200 American citizens will begin the process of exercising a profound but little-known 800-year-old right first articulated in the Magna Carta by formally serving a legal notice and demand for redress of grievances upon the president, the attorney general and every member of Congress at their local district offices. "If money is wanted by rulers who have in any manner oppressed the people, they may retain it until their grievances are redressed, and thus peaceably procure relief, without trusting to despised petitions or disturbing the public tranquility," Journals of the Continental Congress, 1:105-113.
Demanding an official response within 40 days, the notice includes seven petitions for redress of grievances regarding substantial violations of our Constitution, including the war, money, privacy, arms and tax clauses. If liberty and constitutional order are to survive peacefully, it is imperative that the people learn about and exercise the unalienable right of redress. For details about the plan to restore constitutional order, visit: givemeliberty.org/revolution.
Bill Hasty
Escondido
Where is Osama?
After all these years, the greatest nation in the world has not been able to find Osama bin Laden. I'm wondering if anyone bothered to look in Area 51, or maybe under Dick Cheney's desk at the White House.
Stephen Storc
Escondido
Replying to liberal critics
In reply to Douglas Dunn (Letters, June 8): Just another liberal who doesn't know what he reads. I never mentioned "graduating from Harvard equals privilege." There are many more schools just as good. What I said was Michele received loans to go to Harvard, as many thousands do, but she graduated and her first job paid over $120,000 a year. Her second was $316,000, and she whines about having to repay the loan! ... She also said, "America is a mean country." Her words –– not mine. America is the most generous country in this world.
Yes, I write a lot of letters in favor of our president. I have not heard of "Daddy's bailouts." He earned his three graduations from prep school, Harvard and Yale. His dad, like many others, paid the tuition. And President Bush has proposed several beneficial laws, such as putting money into private investments as part of one's Social Security. The recipients would receive far greater retirements. For many years, he has tried to get going on drilling for oil. Congress vetoed both. ...
And to Andy Pino: We already have term limits. Elections are every two years. To impose term limits denies citizens one more freedom we have. If people are too lazy to know what's going on, it's their problem! Many good men would be eliminated.
Bettie Heldring
Escondido
Don't be fooled by global warming scam
The controversial cap-and-trade program to control carbon emissions will do nothing to improve the climate (as Europeans are now finding out), but it will make Al Gore's company that collects the taxes richer and low- and middle-class Americans much poorer as prices skyrocket. Also, it will cause a lot of unemployment because many industrial companies could be forced out of business or have to move overseas to countries that are exempt.
The global warming scheme originated in the United Nations and is now being propagated by environmentalists. ... Icebergs in the Arctic have greatly increased in recent years, and the polar bear population has quadrupled. So, where is their proof of global warming now?
Using a well-planned socialist plan to tax Americans and ruin our economy is a hoax because it is underdeveloped countries like China that are responsible for most of the carbon emissions, and they are exempt from the program. The overall plan of the global warming scheme is not only to ruin America's economy, but to subjugate our influence in the world and make us interdependent on others, so that the United Nations can achieve its ultimate goal of becoming a global government. Don't be fooled by this scam!
Marcy Young
Oceanside
Bush has ruined GOP image for Republicans
President Bush has destroyed the image of the Republican Party this year. He informed the Congress and the voters there were missiles of mass destruction [in Iraq]. This was found not to be true.
We noticed that the candidates of the Republican Party kept their distance from the Bush policies, with the exception of two, Duncan Hunter and war hero John McCain. Later McCain went against Bush's policies, and he then got the leadership for the Republican presidential race, and now he is right back with many of Bush's policies again, so no chance for McCain.
Bush's No. 1 man Colin Powell resigned, as Bush would not listen to his advice. Washington appropriations committee tells us we have already spent $1 trillion, plus a billion each month. Bush tried to destroy the Social Security and Medicare, but the voters and the AARP knocked Bush back. America needs funds to protect our American borders, repair our roads, bridges and the many needs around America. Education, schools are costing more each year, and becoming a major issue for America, so let us get out of Iraq and some of those foreign countries.
Max Mazzetti
Valley Center
Clearing up factual misstatements
I hate it when people, including myself, make factual misstatements. Such is the case of Mark Corcoran ("Separation of church and state," Letters, June 29). Mr. Corcoran states, "The only place where it (the Constitution) states anything about church or religion is in the First Amendment." If Mr. Corcoran will read Article VI he will find, "but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."
This article makes me wonder why any discussion at all of the religion or religiosity of candidates for public office even takes place. Freedom of speech allows it, but it is not in the spirit of our Constitution.
In line with this point, the oath of office, Article II, Section I omits the phrase, "So help me God," which is usually added on their own by our newly sworn presidents, who all swear on a Bible, also not a requirement for oaths of office. Because the original Constitution did not contain any guarantees of personal liberties, the state of Rhode Island would not sign it. It was only after the first 10 Amendments were added that Rhode Island joined the union.
Marshall Byer
Vista
Global warming –– helpless or hopeful
Many people love to debate whether global warming is part of a natural climate cycle or is caused wholly (or partly) by human behavior. Others believe we've got it all wrong and are making much ado about nothing.
Regardless of your position, the bigger question may be, do you think there is even a small chance that global warming may be happening? And if so, do you feel that we are helpless to do anything about it and should not waste any time or resources exploring ways to minimize its impact on our quality of life? Or do you feel hopeful that human ingenuity and cooperative action might be able to lessen (or possibly reverse) the degree of warming and its negative impact on the life of the planet?
Many of us seem more intent on proving that we are absolutely right than considering the consequences if we are only a little bit wrong. If the weatherman (woman) predicts golf ball-size hail by the afternoon, and you believe there is no chance that it will happen, it still might be prudent to park the old jalopy in the garage.
Steven Traugh
Vista
Individual accounts proving more reliable
Shirley Fletcher's letter criticizing me for advocating individual control of retirement accounts (June 29) missed the point of my KPBS debate. While I think mandatory retirement saving is not a role for government, that was not the debate topic. The issue was: Should our existing contributions into the SS pyramid program continue to go into this grossly underfunded, nonguaranteed retirement fund, or should our contributions go instead into individual, earmarked retirement accounts (under the Social Security umbrella) with individuals owning their accounts, and controlling the investments selected?
Currently SS is a doomed program, as retirees will eventually outnumber workers. Workers will refuse to pay for the seniors' unfunded retirements. There is zero guarantee that anyone today paying into SS will get their retirement –– or even get their money back. Many other countries understand this problem and are moving to earmarked accounts. Even socialist Sweden has gone to partially earmarked, individual SS accounts. ...
The sooner we reform SS, the better. And young people –– people under age 50 –– understand this.
Richard Rider
San Diego Tax Fighters
San Diego
A Model T year
When describing "A Delicious Ride," one of your Saturday Snapshots, I'm sure you meant to say "1921" Model T car and not 1912. The 1912 Model T had brass headlights and a brass radiator shell. The Model T in the picture has painted steel headlights and a painted steel radiator shell. I enjoyed seeing the picture of the car.
Tim Held
Carlsba
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Chuck wrote on Jul 6, 2008 7:31 AM:I see the annointed Hussein has proposed faith based initiatives that have the liberals swooning in praise. These are the same initiatives proposed by Bush, which the liberals bashed and failed to support. It goes right to the hypocrisy of liberals. But then again, maybe the faith based will be seeded in Husseins Koran and the gay agenda, rather than Christian leadership
Yokozuna wrote on Jul 6, 2008 7:58 AM:This letters page was posted in the Faith and Values Section
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/07/06/faith/letters/z3bbae996ff1358bd8825747b007e5470.txt
Ms M wrote on Jul 6, 2008 9:35 AM:Chuck
[-] wrote on Jul 6, 2008 7:31 AM:I see the annointed Hussein has proposed faith based initiatives that have the liberals swooning in praise. These are the same initiatives proposed by Bush...no Chuck you should have read more. HUESSEIN'S (your next president) plans are different that's why liberals are "swooning in praise". Go back and read the whole article or at least go to a liberal site to get a balanced opinion before you once again insert foot in mouth!
Bob wrote on Jul 6, 2008 9:36 AM:While I was, understandably, thrilled to see yet another "...roar of freedom..." letter (this time by Jeffrey Holthus) it would help if writers would include, for the benefit of skeptics like Chris, an explanation of which "freedom" was protected by any war since 1812. As you have almost 200 years, and a bunch of wars, to work with, this should be an easy task. Sincerely thank you in advance.
Roger wrote on Jul 6, 2008 9:37 AM:Faith and Values?
Faith and Values wrote on Jul 6, 2008 9:53 AM:In response to Marcy Young, I'm fairly certain there are more icebergs in the Atlantic because more are breaking off of the ice sheet BECAUSE of global warming.
Isn't the debate not if global warming is in fact occuring, but the cause? Man made or a recurring natural process?
Rush wrote on Jul 6, 2008 9:58 AM:Was sure happy to hear from Marcy Young that AM radio reception in Oceanside, CA is doing fine.
Stay tuned, I'll tell you what to think next.
Don't attempt to think for yourself, you obviously aren't equiped for it.
Surfer wrote on Jul 6, 2008 10:04 AM:Stop debating and drill now: If you want oil, you will always be at the mercy of OPEC regardless of the availability of domestic oil. See ya!
Right Bob wrote on Jul 6, 2008 10:05 AM:If it weren't for the heroic military( and the even bigger heroes who sent our kids to fight their wars), we'd all be speaking German, or Japanese, or Korean, or Vietnamese, or Panamanian, or Granadan, or Iraqi today. Semper fi? Look: Vietnam was a war that we entered via an administration's lies. It was a completely bogus war. And we lost it. The sooner the yahoos just accept this terrible blow to their delicate egos, the sooner they will cease playing the roles of fools and tools that any President can manipulate at will, and the sooner we as a nation will stop repeating the immoral errors of our ways. There are wars that are just, that are about actual self-defense when all else has failed. But it's been many decades since we've participated in one of those, and the desperate need of the yahoos to undo their pain suffered by the Vietnam disaster has been our Presidents' passes and filled the profiteers' coffers. Time to give it up and become really patriotic before you pass away.
A. Rose wrote on Jul 6, 2008 10:23 AM:A "hiring hall" at Vista City Hall! Absolutely brilliant! Why two places when it can be combined into one, and get the politicians and political hangers-on to more closely associate with what is going on in their otherwise isolated community.
Similarly, I have always opposed "faculty bathrooms" at public schools -- to let the teachers more closely associate with how their students behave.
We have too much “sanctuary” provided our government officials – and yes, teachers are government officials.
Oh Bettie wrote on Jul 6, 2008 11:01 AM:I hate to tell Ms Heldring, but it's the President, not Congress, that has veto power. For six years, President Bush had both Congressional houses majority Republican, and they were such a rubber stamp for his wishes (thanks to Democrats in Congress who decided to sit their terms out) that Bush used, I believe, only one veto in all that time. He had everything he ever asked for, from budgets to torture. And yet you say that he was blocked from expanding oil drilling. Seriously, how can this be? It's starting to feel like these pages are from diaries in an insane asylum to read one conservative after another blame democrats and liberals for all the things that went wrong and didn't go right during all the years Bush had, in essence, royal power. How in the world do you people come to believe these things, which are, if you think for only a half a moment, literally impossible? I know one way: from your posts, I gather that when you hear a liberal say "I don't like drilling" and Bush doesn't drill, even though he had all the power he needed to have done so, you decide it was that powerless liberal's opinion that stopped the whole government. That, in psychiatric terminology, is a psychotic delusion, and yet that's the BEST you can come up with. Good grief!
Ron wrote on Jul 6, 2008 11:37 AM:The debate is over. Consensus by a majority of Americans is: Drill Now.
76% of all Americans say drilling now is what they want.
67% of Democrats say drilling now is what they want.
Not a good sign for the No Drill candidate Barack Obama. Not good, at all.
Ron wrote on Jul 6, 2008 11:48 AM:What a concept, Davis Bell!
"...large-scale solar power plants could power the entire nation..."!!!
You mean, as in selling power to other states?
Of course, that would mean power lines, and making profit. According to enviromentalists...
we can't do that.
Old Timer wrote on Jul 6, 2008 11:57 AM:Lee Beckers letter stating frustration for Rep. Issa's representation is right on. Rep. Issa has always carefully reviewed the landscape and then fell in line with the winner in hopes of benefiting his own future. He stumbled into wealth, tagged along with SoCal conservatives to get elected and has yet to show any creativity or genius in his office. He does whatever it takes to keep his face in the media with the winning side and hopes the public does not focus on his bad temper or lack of ability. The citizens of San Diego County have alwys voted blindly when they elect Republicans, but in consideration of "The Duke" and others, Republicans should pay greater attention to those they elect. If they had, Rep. Issa would be seeking other employment.
Chuck wrote on Jul 6, 2008 12:24 PM:>>67% of Democrats say drilling now is what they want.>>>
and 92% say they don't want Islamic faith based initiatives
Chuck wrote on Jul 6, 2008 12:27 PM:Jobs are being lost by the bushel because of oil, inflation is ramapant because of oil, the market is crashing because of oil, and Hussein says "No" to drilling. Hows your 401-K performing, you Hussein Kool-Aid Drinkers?
Taxpayer wrote on Jul 6, 2008 1:07 PM:Has anyone been able to find a web site for the San Diego Tax Fighters or a membership list? If not Mr Rider change the name to San Diego Tax FIGHTER.
FF wrote on Jul 6, 2008 1:29 PM:Why are the stories on the California Fires so much different in the LA Times and the SD Union Tribune than what is printed by the NCT? Maybe the Editor would like to comment.
Focal Point wrote on Jul 6, 2008 1:36 PM:Too much shaking? Move! I agree with Jeffrey that one or his animal friends were disturbed by noises resulting from military exercise, you need to move. Perhaps, you should not have purchased property in the proximity of the Marine base. Where I disagree is what the noise from the artillery represents. It is not the sound of freedom. Its is just the sound of Marines training.
Focal Point wrote on Jul 6, 2008 1:37 PM:Chuck[-] wrote on Jul 6, 2008 12:27 PM:
So when will President Bush issue his executive order for drilling? Why does GWB hate the American people?
Surfer wrote on Jul 6, 2008 1:43 PM:Noisy Pendeleton: Dudes, I have lived in this paradise area since 1965. Noise is just noise no matter the point of origin.
It is not the sound of anything. It is just 11th Marines or reserves training. The have big guns that go boom boo. Boom boom is just boom boom. It is not the sound of freedom. See ya brahs!
Focal Point wrote on Jul 6, 2008 1:46 PM:Chuck[-] wrote on Jul 6, 2008 12:27 PM:
LOL. Inflation due to stagnation caused by the failing housing market and oil market. Most likely caused by the fact that GWB is not holding the hand of a Saudi Prince today. Or, could it be due to the corporate domestic and foreign speculators. Or, could it be that GWB reuses to issued an executive order to drill for oil? Why does GWB hate the American people?
Alf wrote on Jul 6, 2008 2:02 PM:If each and every place that can produce oil within the United States and its territorial waters is drilled to the max, valves wide so to speak, and the price of gasoline still does not significantly come down, what next? If we produce more than enough to supply our own needs and the price still does not significantly come down, what next? Do we blame the international price fixers? Do we blame "supply and demand" when the supply exceeds the demand? What will it take to convince people that the rigged game is, in point of FACT, rigged? Do we then continue to lease more public land to the oil companies so that they can rob us blind? Will the drill now, drill in the U.S., save money crowd finally get IT when we have drilled now and then and drilled locally here and we're still getting royally shafted? Will those who place impediments to solar and wind power "in their back yard" (NIMBYs) be roundly castigated by all? Regards, Alf.
Focal Point wrote on Jul 6, 2008 2:05 PM:Chuck[-] wrote on Jul 6, 2008 7:31 AM:
So far, the polls show the Independents leaning toward the anointed Obama. So now. we have the independents, liberals, leftists, and Democrats (men and women). Now per Chuck, Obama now has the gays and the Muslims. Lets just swear Obama today and have a real President for once.
Alf wrote on Jul 6, 2008 2:13 PM:Well, "Focal Point" at 1:46PM, you ask "Why does GWB hate the American people?". Simple. We are not bending over to his will as good serfs bow to their king. We are not worshipping GWB. One more reason, GWB hates the American People because they dare to criticize his stupid, insane, immoral and illegal "War For The Control Of Foreign Oil". Regards, Alf.
DD Wiz wrote on Jul 6, 2008 2:17 PM:The published letter from Jesus Delfin and the post from "Ron" show they are just more of those who think you can solve the energy problems by just drilling for more oil. Such people clearly have no concept of what the energy issues are, or how to implement either short-term or long-range solutions.
They still repeat the failed old "inside the box" thinking that the way to solve our problem is to keep
doing what got us into this problem (what was that quote from Einstein about insanity?).
They want to solve the problem of overdependence on oil by drilling for more oil!
They want to solve the problem of environmental and climate devastation from oil by by more of the same!
"Ron" ignores the real factors contributing to high gas prices:
a) Fuel diverted from general supply to war in Iraq
b) Oil production greatly reduced, contrary to pre-war predictions that it would increase and pay for the war, because we were NOT "greeted as liberators" but rather as despised occupiers with intentional disruption of production and delivery systems by those seeking to expel the occupiers.
c) Increased demand from gas guzzling SUV's and the lack of fuel efficiency standards
d) Profiteering allowed for Big Oil by lax oversight from cronies in the Bush/Cheney Oil Administration
e) Speculative investing in oil futures -- the direct result of relaxed regulatory oversight supported by Bush and McCain, led by Phil Gramm (formerly R-Tx) who is now McCain's top economic advisor.
f) Devaluation of dollar against other currencies (such as the Euro) by the Bush Treasury Dept.
g) Increased demand from China and India
All but the last are directly related to failed energy, economic or international policies of the Bush administration, though they are not complaining because as you pay those higher prices, the profits are going into their pockets and their cronies'.
In any case, there is simply no need for more drilling rights, other than to boost the controlled resources of "Ron's" beloved oil stocks.
According to Jeff Bingaman, chair Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee, Oil companies are currently "sitting on" millions of acres of Oil reserves -- Out of 41 million acres leased Bingaman reports that oil companie are "sitting on" 33 million acres of known productive resources.
Question: if public policy legislation is passed to enable access to resources on public lands, should public policy also dictate that all energy produced from such leases be limited to satisfying needs of domestic consumption?
Ron wrote on Jul 6, 2008 2:33 PM:Richard Rider today makes some great points. Individual accounts are more reliable than Social Security.
In the 70 some years Social Security has been in existence, the Congress has raised the tax rate pulled directly from your paycheck 19 times.
Now, another Democrat Congress that has raised your taxes 19 times, is proposing yet another, a 20th.
Raising taxes is the only way these guy's know how to save a failing system.
Years of wasted opportunities of making the surpluses work for the investor, the taxpayer, the Congress has used this money, your retirement, to spend on re-election gimmicks.
Currently SS is a doomed program, as retirees will eventually outnumber workers. Workers will refuse to pay for the seniors' unfunded retirements.
And now, the private retirements are in jeopardy too, because Barack Obama & liberal Democrats want a "windfall" profits tax on oil companies.
40% of oil company profits are invested pensions, 401K's, and other retirement plans. Maybe your's?
If they can reach into an individuals private retirements, no one's retirement is safe.
Chuck wrote on Jul 6, 2008 3:12 PM:The news is reporting that NBC Universal to buy The Weather Channel for $3.5 billion.
Great, thats all we need-- another outlet to blame every cloud on Al Goreleone's global warming fairy tale. Now we'll have 7/24 global warming propaganda station to deal with
Another Question wrote on Jul 6, 2008 3:16 PM:Since DD doesn’t always quote me or other bloggers right, maybe he doesn’t quote Jeff Bingaman right either. In any case, “Sitting on” is not the same thing as saying “permitted to drill on.”
jvc wrote on Jul 6, 2008 3:27 PM:Is the NCT trying to tell us something when it places the letters blogs under faith and values?
OBSEERVATION wrote on Jul 6, 2008 3:46 PM:From Market Watch:
OPEC president blames ethanol for crude-price rise
Khelil again predicts price climbs, citing biofuels, weak dollar, tensions
James wrote on Jul 6, 2008 4:02 PM:I got up this morning but couldny find my cell phone. Went to the Grocery store but had forgotten to bring my wallet with me. As I was drivng home I got a ticket for speeding. What do I do? write a letter to the editor of course. IT's all Bush and Cheney's fault, its all John Boltons Fault, it's John Ashcrofts fault. If Barack/Hillary were in office this would all have been taken care of for me and I would not have to think for myself or take resposibilty for my actions.
Apollo wrote on Jul 6, 2008 5:22 PM:Re: Another Question (3:16 p.m.)
See how the conservative work?
Throw some mud and hope it sticks.
You know, AQ, you would have a whole lot more credibility if, when you accuse someone of misquoting you "or other bloggers" if you could actually provide even one example.
Oh, I suppose you would have, if you could have.
Like I said, your post tells more about you than the person you try to slime.
Ms M wrote on Jul 6, 2008 5:47 PM:James
[-] wrote on Jul 6, 2008 4:02 PM: IT's all Bush and Cheney's fault, its all John Boltons Fault, it's John Ashcrofts fault. If Barack/Hillary were in office...we would not be in the mess we are in. So if Bush, Cheney, Bolton and Ashcroft have been in charge the past seven years then it is their fault. YOUR forgeting YOUR phone and speeding is YOUR fault, take responsibility for YOUR actions. I just wish your buddies in this administrations would have enough in them to do the same. You know something must have gone wrong with Bush and the state our country is in....seems no one wants to be associated with him - I wonder why! Maybe because Bush's fine leadership has not only driven the country over the cliff - he took the republican party with it!
Surfer wrote on Jul 6, 2008 5:50 PM:James[-] wrote on Jul 6, 2008 4:02 PM: Dude, you forgot to fortify yourself with your conservative coffee as well.
Vote for Obama and just maybe we will get that speeding ticket reduced to a warning. See Ya Brah
sdraoul wrote on Jul 6, 2008 5:51 PM:As usual, DD is his polemic self without reason, logic or pragmatism.
Drilling now is only part of the solution, DD. If we “solarize” the entire country by 2025, solar would provide only ten percent of the power we need. Saw it on NPR, must be right and peer reviewed.
As we Canada and Mexico have a 1000-years worth of coal, oil and oil shale, why don't we figure out how to utilize all this energy potential in a cleaner manner? It seems to me that scrubbing is easier to develop than other suggestions. Then, of course, there is nuclear which we can expand by simply opening up the Yucca storage facility that Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid refuses to open.
Moreover, hydrogen and electric cars will go a long way to help especially if someone develops a thousand- mile electric cord so we can drive to Dallas without a battery charge? LOL
And, let us not forget that Bill Clinton vetoed drilling in ANWAR because it would have taken ten years to bring oil to market from there. That was 13 years ago.
Liberals wrote on Jul 6, 2008 6:29 PM:Chuck[-] wrote on Jul 6, 2008 3:12 PM: LOL. Its all our fault. LMAO
Shhh dont tell McCain wrote on Jul 6, 2008 6:30 PM:I don't know if you've all noticed it, but violence in Afghanistan and Pakistan is climbing, big time. I know that you only want to talk about the surge, even though if it seems to be working TOO well, you'd have no excuse for wanting to stay in Iraq permanently. But in Afghanistan and Pakistan (psst: Pakistan HAS nukes!) (psst: Afghanistan is where al Qaeda is hiding!), the places we abandoned so Bush's pals could get their no-bid oil contract,opting for the place that was a threat to no one, we have a real problem of upmost national security. Whatever you do, don't tell McCain! He doesn't know about Afghanistan or Pakistan. He's all into winning Vietnam, I mean Iraq. The mainstream media love McCain because he was a POW, so he gets a free pass, even though the media are so, you know, liberal? But gosh, don't tell him about Pakistan/Afghanistan. As his chief advisor said, another terrorist attack on the US would be good for his campaign, so he wants it to be, you know, a surprise! For some reason, his "tough" stance, his "stay the course" stance in Iraq will be good for him in November if those we let rebuild in Afghanistan/Pakistan strike again. How dumb are Americans? Ask bin Laden, Bush, and McCain! Stay the course! (Explain something to me: the yahoos defend Bush/McCain policy by saying that we've not been attacked since 9-11. But if we ARE attacked, it's good for them. I don't get this.)
Vote Obama wrote on Jul 6, 2008 6:33 PM:OBAMA ON CARS AND FUEL:
Plan for a Clean Energy Future
“Well, I don't believe that climate change is just an issue that's convenient to bring up during a campaign. I believe it's one of the greatest moral challenges of our generation. That's why I've fought successfully in the Senate to increase our investment in renewable fuels. That's why I reached across the aisle to come up with a plan to raise our fuel standards… And I didn't just give a speech about it in front of some environmental audience in California. I went to Detroit, I stood in front of a group of automakers, and I told them that when I am president, there will be no more excuses — we will help them retool their factories, but they will have to make cars that use less oil.”
— Barack Obama, Speech in Des Moines, IA, October 14, 2007
Vote Obama wrote on Jul 6, 2008 6:35 PM:OBAMA AT A GLANCE:
At a Glance
* Reduce Carbon Emissions 80 Percent by 2050
* Invest in a Clean Energy Future
* Support Next Generation Biofuels
* Set America on Path to Oil Independence
* Improve Energy Efficiency 50 Percent by 2030
* Restore U.S. Leadership on Climate Change
Oh James wrote on Jul 6, 2008 6:37 PM:Man, are you living in la-la land. Read Chuck, Ron, esteban and all of your compadres. They know: even if Bush has been President; even if from 2000-2006 he had a Congress so passive he didn't even need to use the veto. Even if whenever Congress passed a law he didn't like, he made a signing statement that lifted him above that law (did you know that Bush has used the signing statement more than all the other Presidents PUT TOGETHER? That's true!). Even if Bush could, in fact, do whatever in the world he wanted...anything, ANYTHING that goes wrong in your life or the the nation's life is the fault of Clinton or the liberals. Yes, James, it's the past or the powerless that cause every one of your problems, even though you, like all Republicans, swear by individual responsibility! Incredible, isn't it? Despite your own free will AND the power of a Republican government, those infinitely crafty (must be Satanic!) liberals find a way to override all of it.
Apollo wrote on Jul 6, 2008 6:50 PM:Re: James (4:02 p.m.)
What a shame that James is so negative.
Obviously, he has no understanding of what Democrats like Hillary and Barack stand for, so no wonder he can ridicule, belittle and oppose them.
Greenergy wrote on Jul 6, 2008 7:11 PM:What a day for the anti-science extremists in today's letters!
No wonder they've been relegated to "Faith and Values."
How reassuring to know what Marcy Young knows more than all the scientists, and can point to a "scam" in which all the hard-working scientists, working for modest means, are taking advantage of all those poor, impoverished oil company CEO's who fall prey to their "scams." And all this with no need to provide examples or documentation. Just faith! (But no values.)
Then Jesus Delfin assures us that "all we need is more drilling" - notwithstanding that the Wiz shows, yet again, the futility of breaking free from your addiction by feeding it, when the oil companies are "sitting on" tens of millions of acres ripe for drilling.
And then there is Davis Bell, seeming to support clean, renewable solar, but only if it can be controlled by centrally-produced plants and distributed by huge energy corporations. The idea of on-site local generation! Nah! Impractical! Notwithstanding that, every day, many of us prove the opposite to be true.
Surfer wrote on Jul 6, 2008 7:56 PM:James[-] wrote on Jul 6, 2008 4:02 PM: Dude, at least you are not on the way to GITMO. See ya!
Focal Point wrote on Jul 6, 2008 8:24 PM:It seems all my play mates have all gone home for the day including the editor.
Nightie Night.
Greenergy wrote on Jul 6, 2008 10:11 PM:Submitted 7:11 p.m. - resubmitted 10:11 p.m.
What a day for the anti-science extremists in today's letters!
No wonder they've been relegated to "Faith and Values."
How reassuring to know what Marcy Young knows more than all the scientists, and can point to a "scam" in which all the hard-working scientists, working for modest means, are taking advantage of all those poor, impoverished oil company CEO's who fall prey to their "scams." And all this with no need to provide examples or documentation. Just faith! (But no values.)
Then Jesus Delfin assures us that "all we need is more drilling" - notwithstanding that the Wiz shows, yet again, the futility of breaking free from your addiction by feeding it, when the oil companies are "sitting on" tens of millions of acres ripe for drilling.
And then there is Davis Bell, seeming to support clean, renewable solar, but only if it can be controlled by centrally-produced plants and distributed by huge energy corporations. The idea of on-site local generation! Nah! Impractical! Notwithstanding that, every day, many of us prove the opposite to be true.
Apollo wrote on Jul 6, 2008 10:51 PM:Re: Another Question (3:16 p.m.)
See how the conservatives operate?
Throw some mud and hope it sticks.
You know, AQ, you would have a whole lot more credibility if, when you accuse someone of misquoting you "or other bloggers" if you could actually provide even one example.
Oh, I suppose you would have, if you could have.
Like I said, your post tells more about you than the person you try to slime.
Post 5:22 p.m. and another try at 10:51 p.m.
Maybe the editor can't find the page hidden in Faith and Values?
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