Insanity and treachery afoot in the Senate

The Senate's treacherous immigration reform/amnesty proposal contained the following: total tax amnesty (no state/federal back taxes!); amnesty for absconders and gang members; the so-called temporary Z visa, which could have been renewed indefinitely (which made it permanent); illegals got to cut in line ahead of all legal applicants; English language was not required until ninth year; and illegals got IRS earned income tax credits. Not to worry, though, El Presidente Jorge Booooosh said he would secure our borders as soon as we granted amnesty. Isn't that playing Russian roulette with national security?

Why is it that Bush and Co. want to give illegal aliens/lawbreakers all these incredible benefits at our expense, that even we citizen taxpayers don't get? Could the reason be the North American Union at www.spp.gov?

Obscenely, post 9/11, Bush and Co. have intentionally allowed millions of illegals to enter our nation unchecked and unchallenged, yet foreigners coming here via boat or jet without a legal passport are turned away. Selective enforcement and anarchy are here. Why isn't this paper alerting its readers to these very important facts? Do you not see that something is terribly wrong with this picture, our elected leaders and most media?

Gary Walker

Escondido

Editorial drives stake into heart of backcountry

In regard to "Desert powerline good for coast," editorial, July 1": As you attempt to drive a stake into the hearts of the majority of the people in our beautiful backcountry, including our state park, presumably for the benefit of those who use almost all of this perceived energy requirement, you, together with SDG&E, are creating an uprising in East County that will not subside.

Come to the Ranchita Rocks Concert - www.ranchitarocks.org - and learn more. And I will be running 75 miles in the desert to raise more awareness of this ill-conceived and unnecessary project. I'm doing this to celebrate the 75th anniversary of our Anza Borrego Desert State Park, the crown jewel of our backcountry, on Anza Borrego Days weekend.

Denis Trafecanty

Santa Ysabel

U.S.' need for foreign labor

TV pundits and our government officials constantly remind us that this country needs more cheap foreign labor to bolster our economy. … They want you to believe that the U.S. must increase work visas, guest workers and amnesty for illegal immigrants in order to fill our job needs. The goal for these actions is to increase profits for big corporations, which will, in turn, decrease jobs and wages for the average American.

The thought that the use of cheap foreign labor helps Americans through lower prices is nullified by the decrease in jobs and wages and the increase in the financial burden to the taxpayers. This raises the question of whether the goal of the U.S. government should be to make more money for big business, or to provide sufficient jobs with a living wage for the middle class and the poor.

Unfortunately, fulfilling the desires of big corporations who finance the White House and Congress takes priority over the needs of the average American. What would be best for most U.S. citizens would be to discourage the use of foreign labor and work toward an increase in jobs and wages. If you are associated with big business you probably would want more foreign labor. If you are a middle class or poor worker, you probably would not.

Herbert Pairitz

Carlsbad

More of the same or something different?

Are you going to vote in 2008? Know who you are going to vote for? Is it going to be one of those guys or gals the TV tells you is so great, and that other guy is guilty of just about anything so you should vote for me? In other words, same old stuff, different election.

The ads have not started in earnest yet, but we all know exactly what they are going to be like. Whoever you vote for, make sure you vote and make sure you vote by absentee ballot.

Our county registrar had hired the people who manufactured the voting machines to help him figure out how to count the votes (or how they should be counted, or do we really need a paper trail, etc., etc., etc., oh well, whatever).

If you would really like to see a different kind of candidate, Google Ron Paul video. If you like what you see and would like to help Dr. Paul, join up with one of his Meetup groups (http://ronpaul.meetup.com/317/?gj=sj2) or call (619) 885-1378. If you like more of the same of what we have, just watch TV and do what they tell you.

Bill Hasty

Escondido

Give the man back his van

The city should step up to the plate and return the van to Mr. Ansley, after having all charges against him dropped, at no cost to him ("Drug charges dropped, man still without live-in van police impounded," June 27).

The city was in error. Having to wait while the city reviews the case, which may take another 45 days at $25 per day impound fee, is unreasonable. The fees make it more like a confiscation of vehicles that are impounded as the vehicles have to be sold in an attempt to pay the storage fees.

In all probability, they are old units and not worth the storage fee, plus the fact that the owners do not have funds to pay the storage. If the owner is guilty, then that is the way it is, but for not guilty, as Mr. Ansley appears to be, he should be given his vehicle back with no charges.

Maybe the vehicles should be taken to a parking garage near San Diego airport; it is only $12 per day to park in an enclosed, lighted garage.

Bob Shuster

Escondido

Water shortages and building

Clearly, many existing residents are outraged at being told to expect water shortages while tens of thousands of new housing units in San Diego County continue along the approval pipeline, the only pipeline that faces no cutbacks. I have no problem with cities such as Escondido replacing aging eyesore neighborhoods with new condos, it's the sprawling into raw land that irks.

How many millions of extra gallons every year will it take just for the landscaping of thousands of new upscale homes in the three proposed new neighborhoods in the Harmony Grove area? So, with so much horror and outrage, where are our politicians, the people we elected to represent us? Has anyone heard so much as a peep out of any of them? I haven't. Oops, sorry, forgot that the ones who always win get their campaigns financed by the building industry.

It's time for a citizens initiative for the next election requiring that water companies guarantee a steady supply of water for existing residents into the foreseeable future before any new construction, which is not infill or replacement, can be approved. No more sprawl without water for all! If anyone knows this process, I, and I'm sure many others, would be willing to assist with the signature collection.

Iris Siefert

Escondido

Usual naysayers are just saying no

This is what I got out of Sunday's editorial, "Desert powerline good for coast," July 1 and the news article by Dave Downey, "A different energy future envisioned," July 1.

1. San Diego County has a pretty easy decision to make. Even as we become more green, we still need more power in the future. A new transmission line will bring that power to us.

2. The usual naysayers are just saying no. And their argument is, if we build a bunch of new local power plants and install solar panels and windmills everywhere, we don't need the powerline.

Conclusion: No one likes powerlines, but it seems the best and the most realistic solution. Besides, the unconvincing alternative vision of the opponents ññ while lofty and noble ññ is not realistic or affordable for individuals by any stretch of the imagination.

Bill Kalthoff

Rancho Bernardo

What!?

On the very week their cardiac department was rated below average by a national ranking service ("North County hospitals get passing grades on heart care," June 22) and [with] their CEO being paid over half-a-million dollars annually, the Tri-City hospital board commissions a consultant another over half-a-million dollars to search for ways to further grind down their employees [employees] ("Tri-City to begin new study of facilities needs." June 30!

It is no wonder the board needs an armed guard to watch over their meetings. …

Cliff Roche

Oceanside

Behavior by some is outrageous

I agree with Anderson Coppock (Letters, June 20) that it's time to quit feeding the birds; the analogy was cleverly expressed.

We have all grown weary of hearing how hard the illegals work for low wages. In their ongoing rant, is there an implication that legal Americans don't work hard? Didn't we make this country what it is today by our hard work? I can't see that they (illegals) have contributed so very much. Their children enjoy free breakfasts and lunches in public schools; families qualify for WIC and food stamps, as well as financial assistance with utility bills. All this as they drive around in their new cars and SUVs, while blaring loudly in Spanish on their pricey cell phones.

Something is wrong with this picture. It is understandable to be proud of one's heritage, but to deliberately refuse to speak English and flaunt the Mexican flag while enjoying the freebies bestowed upon them by legal American taxpayers is outrageous!

Rusty Zeigler

Oceanside

Theft of my Stars and Stripes

This letter is addressed to the lowlife(s) who stole my U.S. flag and flagpole and the flags and flagpoles of at least three of my neighbors on my street Monday, July 2.

Please be advised that while your petty theft is a nuisance and caused me to become angry, it will not dampen the spirit and pride that I feel when displaying our nation's greatest symbol. And I can guarantee you that when we celebrated the 231st anniversary of our country's independence on July 4, there was a new flag flying proudly in front of my home. Please, feel free to come by, knock on my door and have a look. I dare you.

My one wish for the person(s) responsible for this shameful act is that they are given an abrupt lesson on Sir Isaac Newton's Laws of Motion while standing on the top rung of a ladder trying to display a stolen set of Stars and Stripes.

Matthew Tavarez

Oceanside

Experiment creates the rings of Saturn

Saturn rotates in just 10 hours and 46 minutes. This sweeps the magnetic field and the trapped plasma through space. No particles and no chunks of ice that remain impossible to explain are necessary to create the rings of Saturn.

The combined abnormal magnetic field currents of Saturn, the sun and the planets stimulate the normally invisible gases in the vicinity to a glowing, visible state of excitement. With a very simple experiment, anyone can assimilate the visible glow of these atoms of gases in any dark room. By rubbing a piece of polyethylene material with your bare hand for 10 seconds, it will generate the very same charge of magnetic field energy around the material as the magnetic field around Saturn. Then, swinging the material near a fluorescent tube with the very same gases in the vacuum tube that is equivalent to the vacuum of space around Saturn, the very same glow of the rings of Saturn can be created. The spokes, twisted rings, geysers and any other peculiar anomaly that have defied explanation for decades can easily be assimilated in precise detail with this concept. …

To continue wasting time and money trying to explain how these anomalies can possibly be created by particles reflecting sunlight when it is so simple to create them with this concept is foolish bordering on unconscionable stupidity.

Edsel Chromie

Escondido

The Decider decides

It infuriated me to learn that Mr. Libby is getting off the hook. Yes, off the hook. Two years probation and a $250,000 fine is not punishment for what he did. … Then again, the Decider himself relieved Mr. Libby of his prison sentence, and we all know the Decider is darn good at what he does. Otherwise, why would we (still) be in hopeless Iraq? I guess it's like father like son to let criminals off the hook. Weinberger got pardoned by good ol' Bush Sr. as an early Christmas gift in '92.

Now let's take a look at the men who really deserve to be excused of any wrongdoing ññ the Marines who are being accused of killing helpless people in Haditha in November of 2005. How is it that anybody can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that they were not doing as they were trained, when Haditha is an uncontrolled environment (along with the rest of the country). I myself traveled that exact road that they were on and, guess what, my convoy was ambushed as well. We were hit by two IEDs and small-arms fire, with five more IEDs waiting for us down the road. And the military wants to question their actions?

Point is, the Decider is letting a real criminal off the hook, when the very men he sent to Iraq to fight (and die) for a very questionable cause are being prosecuted for doing what it is Bush ordered them to do!

Sinuhe Montoya

Escondido

The last straw from Bush

The straw that broke the camel's back came a long time ago for me, but the Decider's commuting of jail time for Scooter Libby might be the last straw for a few of the last holdouts. How long will we sit quietly while Bush and Co. refuse subpoenas, politicize the justice system, continue to pour our tax dollars into an unwinnable war in Iraq and leave our borders wide open?

If the president is above the law, then this is no democracy. Impeach Bush and Cheney now! Go to Dennis Kucinich's Web site to sign an online petition. Bring back democracy for America.

Shauni Waterdragon

Vista

Take Bible as literature, not literally

Creationists use the Christian-Judean Bible as their basis in attacking evolution. The Bible, they claim, is infallible. It implies that God is so powerful that He created not only the laws of biology, which accounts for all life on Earth, He also created the laws of physics for the entire universe, which includes billions of solar systems.

God also knows, they say, what every single one of the 6 billion people on Earth is thinking at any time and He also knows what is going to happen in the future. There is absolutely nothing that He doesn't know or can't do.

The "great flood" story is one example of his power. The people on Earth had become so sinful that God decided to remake the human race. Out of the millions of people in the whole world, He found only eight who were pure, so He decided to drown all the rest. That includes innocent infants, children, unborn fetuses and stem cells -- all rotten to the core.

He knew in advance that He was creating imperfect people and that He would eventually exterminate everyone except the Noah family.

If you interpret the Bible literally and believe it is infallible, then you have to accept that God is imperfect and a murderer. But, if you accept the Bible in a literary sense, it becomes a mixture of history, myths and moral teachings. Therefore, the flood story is a myth, God is not a monster and there is no clash with evolution.

Gene Vitamanti

Murrieta

Transitional fossils show species changes

Paul Wanson states in his June 30 letter that evolution is false because of "the absence of any and all transitional forms, whether it be prehistoric or modern." This is absolutely false. There are, in fact, many intermediate fossils. As evolutionary biology professor Jerry Coyne has pointed out, paleontologists have uncovered many transitional forms between major groups. I'll quote him briefly:

"In large and small organisms, we can trace, through successive layers of the fossil record, evolutionary changes occurring in lineages. Diatoms get bigger, clamshells get ribbier, horses get larger and toothier, and the human lineage evolves bigger brains, smaller teeth, and increased efficiency at bipedal walking. Moreover, we now have transitional forms connecting major groups of organisms, including fish with tetrapods, dinosaurs with birds, reptiles with mammals, and land mammals with whales."

Creationists like Mr. Wanson are simply uninformed when they criticize evolution. It is people like him who should "consider all the facts," as he says, before they give an opinion.

Jack Davis

Carlsbad

Iraq-Dunkirk comparison is ludicrous

I must respond to Paul Puma's June 19 letter, "Logistics of withdrawal are daunting." I also want to thank the gentleman from Encinitas who gave Mr. Puma a zero on his geopolitical and military science (Letters, June 22). Why slander me in one paragraph? That is not of public interest.

As to equating the withdrawal of the U.S. troops out of Iraq today or in September with the evacuation of British and French troops from Dunkirk in 1940, that is ludicrous and absurd. They were trapped by the German army and the Luftwaffe; they had to cross the English Channel. It was Hitler's mistake not to use the Panzer tank corps; instead he used the Luftwaffe and failed.

The enemy is not a power as Germany was. Our troops are trapped in a civil war, killed one by one in Iraq. A phased withdrawal would be by land and air to bases we have in the Middle East, with the protection of the best air force in the world.

The enemy wants us to leave; why would they hinder our departure, how and why? They have no tanks or air force! We will not totally withdraw, there is a million-dollar embassy and U.S. civilians to protect and some intelligence -- CIA -- will remain, don't you think? Save the troops now.

Bill Wasley

Murrieta

Write letters to stop quarry from being built

Will the governator terminate Godzilla? That depends on you!

Granite Construction Co., a rich, powerful, rogue manipulator, may begin its raucous, toxic, hideous quarry in our midst sooner than expected.

Would you grieve after the catastrophic ruination of our lovely community that you could have done more to prevent it, but didn't? Respiratory illness and death from silica dust, granite crushing, asphalt plant stinking, deadly diesel particulate fumes; night sky illumination, roads clogged by 18-wheelers, dynamite blasts, rattling dishes and rock slides on I-15 (there's a long, documented history in California of mine blasting-caused rock slides recorded by earthquake instruments at 3 on the Richter scale); these are some of the bullet points to use in a letter to Gov. Schwarzenegger and/or the five Riverside County supervisors, pondering our fate as we speak.

Pick your favorite bullet point(s), now! Remember the illegal immigrant (amnesty) deal? It was a done deal until the last minute, last week. All the poohbahs in Washington, Democrat and Republican alike, knew what was best for us, they thought. Then they were run over by a huge tsunami of outrage from their masters (that's us, actually, the voters) who terrified them with the prospect of losing our vote if they didn't kill the hated Kennedy-McCain-Bush immigration bill.

See? Democracy actually works, despite Granite's efforts to undermine it at our expense, for their profit, using their undemocratic money power to buy legislation.

But you must write now! It's known that the governor and the supervisors respond to old-fashioned snail mail, not e-mail.

Nick Biddle

Temecula

Web Comments

Fourth of July sizzles, sparkles in North County

Readers respond to our July 5 story about how fireworks lit up the sky around a sunbaked North County on Wednesday night, punctuating a host of Independence Day celebrations that featured hot dogs, hamburgers, American flags, games and live music.

Rough work

it was insane in Oceanside!: "It was the most dangerous place to go for fireworks! I wouldn't go there again. It seemed like there were only a few officers for the size of the crowd. The officers did a good job considering the drunks! They have a tough job!"

Couple complaints

Voter: "The fireworks in Oceanside were embarrassing. The fights, stabbings, people being jumped by gang bangers. It's very disturbing that elected officials would put the citizens' lives at risk for fireworks. It's time to stop this mess. Carlsbad does it right. I would like to hear from anyone regarding any other problems in any other city. I would encourage everyone to contact Mayor Wood and the rest of the city council."

More help

unbelievable: "Oceanside needs more cops, lifeguards and firefighters. They looked overwhelmed. I saw two stabbing victims in the back of a lifeguard truck. If you have ever seen the 1970s movie 'The Warriors,' that's how Oceanside looked last night, a.k.a. Coney Island."

Guarding life

former OC lifeguard: "Never have I seen a busier lifeguard staff than in Oceanside. These guys were constantly making rescues in front of Tower 1. I guarded for eight years in Newport and have seen nothing like I did yesterday. Outstanding work!"

Garrick bill would halt local efforts to cap campaign spending

Readers respond to our July 5 story about how a bill written by Carlsbad Assemblyman Martin Garrick would limit cities' ability to cap campaign spending, sparking questions about the kinds of restrictions local governments can place on political funds.

Independence!

Public Interest Lawyer: "Let freedom ring! These are first amendment-protected activities - speech and association - that Assemblyman Garrick is advancing with this legislation. Those constitutionally-protected activities should be well off-limits to meddling 'reformers' who, since 1971, have so complicated our politics that one can't run for office without filling out reports and hiring a cadre of consultants and lawyers to advise each and every step."

All about the money

John: "It's not free speech if it involves money. It is costing somebody something and they are getting something out of it or they wouldn't keep buying. It's not necessarily in the public interest (unless maybe you are a lawyer or a politician)."

Salary seats

Public: "You can't run for office unless you have millions to buy the seat. Limit the amount for campaigns (from any source) to what the salary of the seat pays!"

Go figure

I've Ran and Won: " … and if you cant figure out the paper work without an attorney, you shouldn't be able to hold public office (let alone propose policy) anyway."

Pulling strings

Don't Ya Know: "This isn't about limiting free speech - only the special interest (partisan statewide) money. Funny how the mouthpiece for his party, Garrick, is their puppet on this one. To heck with the local hicks here in San Diego. Garrick is operating for his party leaders and the money. Isn't that what its about? Who cares what we peons have to say? Why do we keep electing elitists?"

Editorial: Fourth of July 'fire-perks'

Readers respond to our July 5 editorial which says the $162 daily allowance earned by state lawmakers has become an abused benefit when the per diem is granted even when they do not show up for work.

Daily robbery

Veritas: "Amen, NC Times. This will continue until the apathetic public rises up like we did on the amnesty bill and demand accountability from our elected representatives. This per diem program is outright robbery of public coffers."

What a deal

Mike in Escondido: "The best legislators that money can buy."

Blind and clueless

Ron: "Talk about the spirit of the law. You know, it would seem to me that if they are willing to do this, how can you possibly trust them? What ever happened to the idea of being 'beyond reproach'? My guess would be since most don't vote, nobody cares, and thus nobody is looking. They could rob us blind and we wouldn't know."

Readers commented on an article Wednesday about a panel's recommendation that residents in rural areas on lots of an acre or more should be required to clear brush within 100 feet of their homes:

Be safe

Alf: This is really a no-brainer. If you want your house to stand a chance, clear at least what is recommended, if not more. Removing the fuel for a "running fire" is more important than aesthetics. Certain trees are exceedingly dangerous. Be safe. …

Growth feeds fires

Nick: … If the counties would stop allowing developers to keep building and pushing into once wild areas that are known and prone to wildfires, we would not have nearly the problems that we have when combating these fires …

Not common sense

Fire Safe?: This blanket rule is one of the reasons that it is unsuccessful. Not everyone can remove brush 100 feet from their home, depending where on their property the house is located. … There is a good reason for the rule but no common sense behind it. …

Secession the answer

Weed abatement is unenforced in Southwest County: … Southwest County homeowners are getting fed up with Riverside County not providing adequate services. Now would be the time for San Diego County to step up and seek the transfer of Temecula/Murrieta back to their jurisdiction. The past 114 years under Riverside County rule have proven to be a failed experiment!

Unwanted burden

Nick: San Diego does not want or need Temecula and Murrieta. The burden they put on San Diego's freeways and roads is ridiculous enough as it is. … I, for one, am tired of our taxes and bonds paying to widen our roads so all the Temeculites can get to work.