Sprinter corridor needs to be landscaped

This rail corridor is extremely important to Vista. If budget cuts and cost overruns cause the bike and pedestrian path to be shelved, and the NCTD scrimps on landscaping and lighting, this line could be an avenue of urban blight into the redevelopment district. Do we want a dark path of graffiti, drug activity and litter?

The success of Vista Village (and eventual South Santa Fe/downtown redevelopment) depends on having that corridor be a model of urban planning. It needs to be an extension of the river walk. Grass, trees, pedestrian/bike paths, security cameras, lighting and bicycle police patrols are necessary elements.

Vistans and NCTD board members need to realize that as goes this line, so goes Vista.

DUNCAN CRAIG

Vista

What's the Lowe-down?

No room for a new high school in Escondido's urban core? What's a Lowe's doing going in on the old Kmart property on Mission when there's a Home Depot two miles down the street and another Lowe's five miles away on the 78? The answer must lie in the fact that schools don't generate revenue for the city, so the city planners install revenue-generating box stores at the few good places available for a school.

This, at the cost of quality of education, quality of life and what's best for the kids and their future. Schools belong where the kids are, and there's no need to rip up Escondido's beautiful gems like Lake Dixon and Lake Hodges or displace people from their homes.

Small schools in the urban core are the answer, and we should demand it of our school board and City Council.

CLAUDIA FOSTER

Escondido

No compassion in Escondido

I see a grocery cart. I wonder was the poor lad who left that cart without a car? Perhaps he was illegal, God forbid! Oh, I know, it was one of those homeless people, the ones you hate to see. This won't do. We have rich developers and high-class people who live here. This just will not do. Get rid of that scum that makes me feel sick.

Is this what Escondido has become? I remember a town that used to care about its citizens, all of them, no matter what. Just remember, Marie, Sam, Ed, you have been blessed. Some folks aren't so lucky. Illegal immigration is wrong, but being human and poor isn't.

Show some compassion. I don't know what the answer is, but I do know one thing: Love for your fellow man, your neighbor, is what this world needs. The majority of the people who take carts are elderly who want to keep their independence with a limited income.

Also I don't get paid to be an immigration officer, so don't ask me to be one. Where will it stop? Can we sell to them? Can we allow them in the theater? Can they walk into City Hall? Will you tell the police to drive them out of the city limits? How will you enforce it? Will you go from door to door inquiring if someone is legal? Beware, readers, because the next door they break down may be yours!

RUBEN GARZA

Escondido

Price gouging from SDG&E

Just a few months ago, the kWh charge from San Diego Gas & Electric ranged around 13 cents. A kWh (kilowatt hour) is the unit charge for electricity. This month the kWh came to a whopping 20 cents, a 54 percent increase! SDG&E uses math acrobatics in an effort to hide their exorbitant charges. They do this with a tier system, and the more you use the more they charge.

Forget the tiers, simply divide the kWh total on your bill into the total charge for electricity and you get your true kWh charge. Additionally, one company should not have control over two major energy sources, electricity and gas. In other states, different companies are in charge of these two energy sources to promote competition, which helps keep rates down.

Ratepayers are urged to call the Public Utilities Commission at (800) 649-7570 or write the PUC at 505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, 94102. Ratepayers are reminded that enough good people doing nothing encourages further price gouging.

JOSEPH ANTHONY

Escondido

Preston's sour grapes cost San Marcos

In what can only be described as a personal vendetta, San Marcos Vice Mayor Mike Preston targeted the grass-roots group SaveSanMarcos.com for its efforts to defeat a second San Marcos Wal-Mart. In doing so, San Marcos residents have been forking over taxpayer dollars at $225 an hour to attorney James Lough to dig up any peccadilloes he can.

The end result? According to the July 12 North County Times, a $1,000 fine was issued against SaveSanMarcos.com for minor campaign finance irregularities and unquestionably selective enforcement of SM City Code. But at what cost to SM taxpayers? Tens of thousands of dollars, I'd imagine.

The nepotism and lopsided personal politics here are abhorrent. Preston vigorously spearheaded this effort as his wife, Luann Hulsizer, hired by Wal-Mart political consultant Jack Orr, was soundly defeated in March 2004 in her efforts to get a second Wal-Mart in SM.

Additionally, Preston mentor Lee Thibadeau was defeated in part by SaveSanMarcos.com. So SM taxpayers foot the bill for Preston's personal witch hunt. Way to go, Mike! Line up your developer buddies now because I know where my $250 will be going come your re-election time!

BILL HUTCHESON

San Marcos

Accelerating the Democrats' slide

Barbara Gail Jacobson seems to have taken a page from Al Gore's book, not the global warming book, but the "I want a recount book" ("Resident calls for recount in 50th District runoff," July 7). Of course she says it is not political, she would have done the same even if the Democrat Busby had won! Yeah, yeah, the Earth is flat. Mexico's losing candidate Lopez Obrador is demanding a recount and once-powerful PRI is now a weak third party.

The kooks now in charge of the Democratic Party are dragging the once-great party slowly but surely down to a third party status. Barbara Jacobson's actions accelerate the slide.

JUNIOUS MONTGOMERY

Carlsbad

No prayer at ceremony

I was relieved and surprised to see the July 1 article stating that there was no problem with prayer at the graduation of the Independent Study Students at Escondido Charter High School recently ("Independent Escondido Charter grads celebrate"). I applaud Mr. Snyder for complying so quickly. I must say I am happy to see he has changed his mind on this important issue.

And I want to make a couple of suggestions to Escondido residents: 1. If you see any public school breaking the laws as defined in the Constitution of both this country and this particular state, please immediately report them to the ACLU or the AU.

2. Parents of school-age children take note: If you feel your child would benefit from a smaller public school (K-12) and would do well in a more intimate academic atmosphere, then do not hesitate to enroll your child in the charter school. The students are chosen by lottery. This will create a more diverse and, by definition, better school for all who attend.

NINA HOPKINS

SUGAWARA

Escondido

Political correctness run amok

I have always been a fan of the Warner Brothers "Looney Tunes," involving Porky Pig, Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck, Sylvester, Tweety Bird, Wylie Coyote, Roadrunner, Yosemite Sam ññ to name just a few.

As a youth, they were always a part of the movies at the theaters. Later, I still enjoyed them on television. There was usually an hour of these cartoons. Then, slowly, the television stations stopped showing them.

I wondered why, until I discovered that the paranoid political correctness freaks decided that the humorous antics of these characters would adversely affect young children.

First of all, Porky Pig's "Ttttth ttthat's all folks!" would emotionally disturb stutterers. Elmer Fudd's shooting at Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck was emotionally unsettling to children. Sylvester and Wylie Coyote trying to hurt Tweety Bird and the Roadrunner was unacceptable.

With this in mind, I decided to go on the Internet to see if I could order a complete set of "Looney Tunes."

I was able to do this, but when one places the order, there is a warning box in the order area, namely: "This material may be unsuitable for younger children."

Political correctness run amok.

MERRILL BROWN

Oceanside

End this war on terror

The war on terror is a bipartisan war. Except for a handful of Democrats in the House, the Democratic Party does not want this war discussed. Seventy percent of U.S. citizens think we should get out of this war. We are destroying the people, the land and the society of a sovereign nation. Every single day Iraqi people and our troops are dying. It is costing billions of dollars. Domestic programs are shredded. More people marched and demonstrated all over the world before we made a pre-emptive invasion of Iraq. We went in on lies.

There are no weapons of mass destruction, Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, we are not nurturing democracy. The oil conglomerates are fighting for control of Middle Eastern resources with our kids' bodies. We have lost over 2,550 military personnel, and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have died. Our tax money is paying for this ññ this outrage is done in our name. I don't need a party. I need commitment to end this open-ended war on anyplace in the world that has a resource to control. This election is a referendum on this obscene war. I have been a constituent of the 50th District for 52 years. I am an anti-war candidate on the Peace and Freedom ticket.

MIRIAM CLARK

Encinitas

Catch-22

We want cheap gas and to reduce our dependency on foreign oil, but we also want to keep our beaches clean and pristine looking for the tourists (and ourselves), and we want our coastal property values high.

FRANCIS McINTOSH JR.

Vista

Thanks to Tri-City hospital staff

I was recently a patient at Tri-City hospital for surgery. Everyone who was involved with my case was extremely kind and helpful, starting with my pre-op visit. Everyone in pre-op was so encouraging.

The morning I checked in for my surgery everyone was so kind to my daughter and granddaughter who were with me. They assured my family they would keep them posted on the progress ññ which they did.

I want to express my sincere thanks to everyone at Tri-City hospital. I will never forget you.

MARY PILCHES

Vista

This land is your land

Kudos to the Democracy for America committee headed by Martha Sullivan for holding the Democracy Fest on July 14 at SDSU at the outdoor amphitheater.

It was a grand night with an enthusiastic crowd welcoming such luminaries as Al Franken, Paul Hackett and master speaker Howard Dean.

The musical entertainers outdid themselves with a variety of music pleasing to all, no matter what your musical preference.

I was especially moved by the stirring rendition of "This Land Is Your Land," and when we all joined in, the words took on special meaning, as they did in the days of the Great Depression. Now we are again facing a crisis across our land. We are at the abyss as we were then. We can continue to stand by feeling hopeless to stem the tide of the erosion of all of our rights and the dismantling of our middle class that was established with the New Deal, or we can get involved realizing that this land is truly our land and we have the power to take it back from those who would sell us out to the highest bidder.

DELORES FEICHT

Fallbrook

English lesson

English lesson for July: Remember last month? Do not put an s on anyway.

"I am going to buy me a couch at Jerome's" is incorrect. Drop the me. "Me and Nilda are going to buy a piano" is incorrect. "Nilda and I are going to buy a piano" is correct ññ always put yourself last, and use I. Don't say, "The wife and I are going to buy a piano." She is not "the wife," and you are not "the husband."

GLEN HODSON

Vista

Godless liberals upset by killings

The July 16 letter by Franklin Kliner says that my letter of July 8 makes asinine, unsupported and ridiculous statements. As is typical, Kliner doesn't point any of them out, and although he didn't call me an idiot, the person who wrote the heading of his letter did, and I resent it.

Kliner spends his Saturdays demonstrating in front of Camp Pendleton in support of the detainees accused of murdering an Iraqi. When our military rounded up Iraqis and held them without charges, tortured them and even allegedly killed some of them, where were these Pendleton demonstrators? But now that personnel in our military are incarcerated we hear all about the Constitution and due process. The Swastika was turned into a symbol of all that was to be abhorred by the Nazis, and I feel that the same thing has happened to the cross under the Christians.

After years of listening to these Christians and conservatives, it is interesting to see them denounce these values under Bush. Government spying on citizens, huge budget deficits and mass murder are perfectly acceptable. I find it ironic that the only people upset by all of this death and destruction are we godless and bleeding-heart liberals.

CHRIS PULSE

Vista

Hospital made birthday a happy time

I just couldn't wait to get home from the Tri-City hospital to write to you about the wonderful care I received from them. They are a wonderful group of people, and I love every one of them. My condition was quickly diagnosed and treated successfully. Unfortunately, I was admitted on my birthday, July 11, but the entire staff went out of their way to sing "Happy Birthday to you" and give me a happy time. They succeeded.We are so thankful that there really are a humongous number of good people in this world.

BURLEIGH HUNT

San Marcos

Senior willing to do his duty

I reject the president's allegation that those who oppose his open-ended commitment to the Iraq war are without backbone.

I oppose his war policy, but I have written him a certified letter asking to be called to duty with an air refueling squadron stationed in Iraq.

As I am 65 years old, no recruitment center will accept me, so I took the unusual step of writing to the president directly.

MILTON GALE

San Diego

Senior center management mishandled

Regarding the July 14 article, "New senior rec leader takes over," yes, Jeri Copeland is a "great gal." So is Annette Jennings. I do wonder why the hiring process wasn't completed before the senior center opened last September. Was the city of Murrieta caught by surprise? Were they so busy ordering computers and desks and chairs that they forgot all about the people who were needed to make things happen?

I didn't realize that Annette was there on a temporary basis; neither did anyone else I've talked to who uses the center. It seems the city just used her to fill a hole because they weren't prepared and then cast her aside like an old desk. But Annette isn't just a "thing," she is a person with real feelings, a loyal employee who deserved better.

Deputy City Manager Jim Holston's remarks are condescending and insulting to Annette and to all of us who benefitted from her leadership and in doing so developed a real emotional attachment to her. I love the senior center but I sure am disappointed in the way the city handled this.

PAT RUHMAN

Murrieta

Christianity offers hope for future

Regarding the ongoing debate between Christianity purporting that life originated within a seven-day week approximately 6,000 years ago; and materialistic evolutionists claiming life came as a result of a purely natural process through eons of time: Both need to be evaluated in regard to the ultimate reality. The ultimate reality is the fact that no matter which philosophy one chooses to accept, all 6 1/2 billion of us living today will be dead approximately 100 years from now. Christianity offers hope for the future, whereas materialistic evolution deals primarily and exclusively with the past and offers no hope for mankind after death, only eternal oblivion.

Christianity not only acknowledges the existence of death but also extends hope for life after death. Now you may tenaciously hold to your philosophy of evolution while I ascribe my belief in the Bible. One fact is beyond controversy: There is a day coming when both of us will die. If you are right, I have lost nothing; but if I am right, you will have lost everything.

HARRIS MULLEN

Wildomar

Big-spending Republicans must go

For the ninth year in a row congressional Republicans have killed an increase in the $5.15 federal minimum wage. They did this in a procedural maneuver that left no record of their veto.

At the same time, Congress increased its salary without a vote through automatic annual pay raises. They now make roughly 10 times what a worker earning minimum wage makes.

While the federal minimum wage has lost 40 percent of its purchase power, the nation's lawmakers saw a 61 percent increase in actual income.

America has the most productive work force in the world, but they receive lower incomes than Western competitors.

Republicans made it easier for business to jettison pensions and made it harder for middle-class victims of Katrina to discharge their debts.

Republican tax cuts have the top 1 percent's incomes soaring while the bottom 80 percent of Americans see their incomes stagnant for the fifth year in a row.

Soaring deficits will increase the national debt to $10.1 trillion by 2010.

Time to get rid of these big-spending, corporate-purchased Republicans. Let's start with criminal convictions for Duke Cunningham, Tom De Lay and the others.

Time for the Democrats and moderate Republicans to restore fiscal sanity and government to the people who work for a living.

WILLIAM D. HIDALGO

Temecula

Web Comments:

Lobbyist uses recommendations to attract clients

Readers respond to our July 20 story about registered Oceanside lobbyist Keith Battle using letters of recommendation from Mayor Jim Wood and Councilwoman Shari Mackin to try to drum up clients.

Change of vote

Oceanside is not San Diego: "I am distressed. San Diego is in trouble and lost three council members for being too close to crooks. Now we have a mayor and a council member advertising for a lobbyist. As a long time resident (and previous voter for Mackin and Wood), I am sadden by the direction Wood, Sanchez and Mackin are taking our wonderful city. I will not make the same mistake and vote for Mackin in November!"

New ballot choice

Sick of it: "I thought it was a joke when they say we have the best representatives money can buy. Is there a 'none of the above' on the ballot."

Not buying it

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire: "'I hope no one insinuates that because I support someone for an issue they worked hard on it means my vote is for sale, because it is not,' Mackin said. Oh, please! It was sold the day you took office, the day you voted increases in POLICE salaries, the day you voted against city union leaders being registered lobbyists, the day you lied and said you would be impartial. Play it again Sam - because no one believes you!"

OK to support OPD

Politics as usual: "People, there is no conspiracy here. By the way, the police are our friends and so is the union. You people are nuts. We don't want to end up like San Diego police. Get off the back of the police or we will suffer the same problems. We are fortunate that the police work as hard as they do. We should do more for them, but it seems some out there don't care about the risk these guy and gals are taking for us. Thanks OPD!"

Three for one?

Oceanside Voter: "Council Majority: One being recalled, two in bed with a lobbyist. Maybe we could get a package deal if we recalled all three."

Buy votes

"Z": "What did Jim and Shari think battle was going to do with the letters? Frame them and put them on his wall, maybe? In today's political climate, why would anyone put in writing that he/she can deliver a 'yes' vote from a city council and attach letters attesting to that fact? What a scandalous situation for all three of them."

Vista says lawsuit won't deter regulation

Readers respond to our July 20 story about city officials saying they won't be deterred by a lawsuit seeking to quash Vista's attempt to regulate the hiring of day laborers, and that employers can begin registering as early as Monday, before the law takes effect next week.

Time for change

Jefe: "Hiring Illegals is Illegal (the vast majority of day workers are illegal). Hiring day workers in Vista without a permit? Ouch! Big fine! Guess that cheap slave illegal labor ain't so cheap anymore…. Employers, start hiring Americans, legal workers. Hire your manual labor from Labor Ready on Main St. Illegal Aliens, go home! You've worn out your welcome here!"

First and third

El Guero: "Thanks to Vista officials for applying a First World solution to a Third World problem. Viva regulacion!"

For the neighbors

To all: "Oceanside, San Marcos, Escondido and Encinitas are you listening? Why don't you follow in Vista's footsteps and do the right thing for your city? Step up and take your streets back, it's the right thing to do."

More info

Dan (Temecula): "I haven't read anything that says the employers will be taxed. Is there anyone out there that knows more details to the guide lines of this ordinance?"

Bush to veto stem cell bill

Readers respond to our July 19 story about President Bush casting the first veto of his presidency, saying legislation easing limits on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research "crosses a moral boundary."

Hint of sarcasm

Life Long Republican: "Using the veto on this stem cell research bill when 70% of the public supports it - WOW - now that is a President who represents his constituents! I really feel like our President hears the voice of Americans and shows he does with action!"

What a waste

Harry: "As it stands now, it is legal to discard excess frozen embryos, but against the law to use them in potentially life saving research. A couple who had invetro fertilization can authorize the lab to discard the extra embryos that they won't need. The deleterious irrationality of fundamentalism is appalling!"

Support our troops

Steverino: "And he supports the troops, too. Think of those guys with spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries that could be helped through this research. Oh wait, he wants them to stay that way? Wait till citizens start seeing the bill for their treatment and rehabilitation. Research is cheap by comparison."

Bush is asleep

Okay, I checked: "I checked it out and I found no riders to the bill! I usually stand behind Bush's reasoning, (besides, far too much is wrongly attributed to him) but this one has me mystified! Mr President! Sir! Wake up!"

In the dark

John: "If Bush does veto the stem cell research bill, he will prove that he is a Luddite who is out of touch with the American electorate. He is working to exclude the U.S. from the humanitarian, economic, and scientific opportunities of this exciting new medical frontier."

Readers lodged numerous responses to an article Thursday about a judge's decision to reduce the two-year prison sentence of a Lake Elsinore woman whose drunken-driving accident resulted in the death of a motorcyclist and injuries maiming his wife:

Remove judge

Outrageous!: Is it really that hard for a grown woman to exercise enough self-control to refrain from driving while intoxicated. Are we supposed to feel sorry for her or the person she killed? This idiot judge needs to be removed from the bench!

Judgment criminal

RWC: This judge should get a honest job picking fruits or washing cars. This judgment is criminal. The blood of the victim will cry from his grave!

Judge knows

Sick of It: I think a year less in jail and five years of probation added will still have this woman thinking before she ever drinks and drives again. The judge knows a lot more about this case that can fit into the article, and I'll accept his decision since I think it works toward the ideals that we should work to improve people, not destroy them.

Shame on judge

Heather: How can you reduce an already lenient sentence? Talk about beating up the victims all over again! Shame on this judge. He needs to be banned from court!

Two years not enough

In disbelief: I can't believe she is only getting one year, I don't think two years is enough for what she did. This coming from someone who has two DUIs. I have learned my lesson. But you can guarantee that was not her first time driving drunk. I know that if it were me, then I would have expected a lot more time in jail than that.

Chump change

I agree!: The two-year sentence was a light sentence. To reduce it even further is outrageous. I agree with the prosecutor. "What has changed" since the original sentencing? Two lives were destroyed by this drunken driver and the price she pays is mere chump change.

Judge prayers legal?

Church & State: Is it legal for a judge to be turning to prayer for sentencing guidance? Holy crap!

Throw away the keys

CR: I agree -- get rid of the judge. This woman will probably be a repeat offender -- who will she kill the next time? These DUI murderers should spend the rest of their lives in prison for taking a life.

No accident

Hm: Is she remorseful enough to not drink anymore? I doubt it. She got off easy. Drinking and driving ISN'T an accident. It's a CHOICE.

How about forgiveness

Larry: The situation where a person's sentence was reduced is sad. The tragic death and severe injury are terrible. However, the victims' feelings that vengeance is necessary for them to feel better is also sad. More and more we see victims that feel their loss will somehow be compensated more by larger punishment. So much for forgiveness.

Lenience for soccer mom

Jon: This judge might as well let first-time child molesters and sex offenders free because they show remorse! I strongly believed that if this were a man, he would have done six years! But since she looks like a soccer mom, the judge had to pray, so he can set her free?

Judge has courage

JON B: Congratulations to Judge Warren to have the courage to admit he screwed up (caved to the PC police pressure). He has corrected the decision, as he is allowed UNDER THE LAW to do. The prosecutor and victim fail to understand how the system works. END OF STORY.

Nationwide news

Murrieta resident: Remove him from the bench! My gosh … two years was a slap on the wrist and she killed somebody? This story is far from over. Does anyone have connections to FOX News or ABC 7? This is a story that should make NATIONWIDE NEWS and perhaps the judge would retire. …

A slap in the face

To Jon B: I'm wondering if you would feel the same way if it were your spouse that was killed and it was your leg that was amputated. Also, it isn't the END OF STORY. There is a family who will forever miss their loved one and a woman who will forever be reminded by this tragedy because she lost her leg. What this judge has done is a slap in the face to the victims. Let's hope the removal of this judge from the bench is the final chapter.

Easy on criminals

Mars: This is outrageous! That woman should be put in jail for a very long time. I feel terrible for the family and their loss. Once again, the criminal gets off easy!

Just wrong

PG: A loss of a leg and the loss of a life of a loved one. I don't think ANY amount of time in jail would be enough to compensate for that. This is just wrong! I think the judge is a fool!

Word is recall

Outraged in MV: Where to begin? Ah yes , one word … RECALL. ENOUGH SAID!

Stealing vs. killing

PMC: I don't understand this justice system! Last week, this same judge sentenced a man who embezzled from a casino to feed a gambling addiction to four years in a state prison. How is stealing a worse crime than killing a person and maiming another?