Fed up

Let's just call it what it is. It's not amnesty, it is more like immunity. Immunity from the laws that you and I must follow. Fed up, yet? I am.

Beth Winchel

San Marcos

Time to take down the bird feeder

I bought a bird feeder. I hung it and filled it with seed. Soon we had hundreds of birds taking advantage of free and accessible food. They started building nests on the patio, making a mess everywhere. Some of them turned mean, dive bombing and attacking me even though I had fed them out of my own pocket. They were boisterous and loud: They sat on the feeder and squawked and demanded that I fill it when it got low.

Eventually, I couldn't sit on my own patio anymore. I took down the feeder and in three days the birds were gone. I cleaned up their mess and took down the nests they had built. Soon, the backyard was like it used to be ññ quiet, serene and no one demanding a free meal.

Our government gives out free food, housing and medical care, free education and amnesty. The illegals come by the millions. Our taxes go up to pay for free services, apartments house five families, you have to wait six hours to be seen by an ER doctor, your child's class is behind other schools because half the class doesn't speak English, I have to press "one" to hear English, and people waving foreign flags are screaming in the streets, demanding more rights and free liberties. Maybe it's time we took down the bird feeder.

Anderson Coppock

Vista

VUSD, wake up!

I thought our school board was voted in because they had the best interest of the students and their families in mind. The new start and dismissal times at Roosevelt Middle School are a joke. The late time we had to put up with this year was hard enough, and now they are making it even later; 8:55 a.m. to 3:33 p.m. will make it next to impossible to participate in after-school sports, music, dance and church activities.

If some people want zero period so badly, they should meet after school so that the rest of us have the opportunity to participate in sports or other worthwhile activities. You are asking working mothers who already have extremely tight schedules to drop off their students way before school to sit unsupervised on a bench and wait. Is this really putting kids and families first?

It's time to wake up, school board, and get a grip on reality.

Maria Hudson

Vista

Put an end to this insanity

It's Tommy time. No amnesty! This must be stopped at all costs. Let me ask you why in God's name would Mexico change a thing when they can just send their people up here to the Bank of America, drop a kid or two, get on welfare and food stamps, live in almost-free housing and bring the rest of their family and friends along? Look around. Nowhere else in the U.S.A. do you see hundreds of mothers who are invading the U.S.A. daily pushing baby strollers. No, this is not illegal immigration, this is an invasion force of Mexican women hiding behind all their kids.

You had a guy in your paper a week or two ago in Mexico, holding a picture of his three boys and wife up here. I would think his wife could go to the Catholic Church and get fare to go down to Mexico to be with her husband.

And to Victor Landa ("Americans need not fear Spanish," June 10), I don't fear Spanish or Mexico or Mexicans, I want a stop put to this insanity. Start inland enforcement and deportation of all illegals and their kids. The Bank of America is closed.

Tommy Chanick

Oceanside

The five worst elements of the immigration bill

1. There is no provision to enforce our borders before amnesty is granted to 12 million to 20 million illegals who have defied our laws. The borders were to have been secured as part of the 1986 immigration bill, yet this never happened. 2. Only 24 hours are allowed to screen a person for criminal behavior, and no health check is required. Right this minute millions of Americans are trying to get passports so that they can travel out of the U.S. and return, yet the system is so overloaded that the government is extending the deadline for months. Yet Bush thinks he can process an illegal in 24 hours? 3. The cost to American taxpayers to cover retirement benefits for 12 million illegals is estimated by the Heritage Foundation to be $2.6 trillion. … Yet the true number of illegals is closer to 20 million, which would make the bill over $4 trillion! 4. American taxpayers will pay for lawyers for illegals if they work in agriculture. 5. All gang members have to do to gain a visa is renounce their membership.

If these conditions sound unacceptable, call Bush at (202) 456-1111 or fax him at (202) 456-2461. Then call the 100 senators at the D.C. switchboard (202) 224-3121. … This is a national issue and their vote affects us all, not just their state.

Tisha Bennett

Escondido

Do Democrats have buyer's remorse yet?

It took four years for the Republican revolution of 1994 to run off the tracks. After 1998, disgruntled Republicans went to the polls every election cycle, held their nose and voted Republican for no other reason than to keep the other guys out of office. By 2006, we had enough.

In looking at what has happened since January, it took only four months for the Democratic revolution to run off the tracks. Will their base be as patient? Democrats promised lower gas prices, ethics/earmark reform and, most importantly, an end to the Iraq war. Four months later gas prices have skyrocketed 40 percent, Jack Murtha has apologized and was almost censured for threatening reprisals against legislators who challenged his earmarks, and Democrats are pumping more money and more troops into Iraq.

One would think that when Pelosi was confronted on the failure of her campaign promises, and the lowest congressional approval rating ever, she would suggest patience. Instead, she appears in a press conference on the day she betrays her base and proclaims it a great day. Then, she proclaims her Congress has been successful. Her voters are probably wondering how much more success they can take.

Frank Wilkes

Escondido

Let's surrender and they'll be good terrorists

In the past few weeks, terrorist attacks have been foiled at Fort Dix and at the JFK Airport. The liberal candidates have responded by upping the volume on their gum-flapping, that if we'd only surrender to and appease the terrorists, they'll turn into good little Islamists. If there's any sane person on the planet who really believes that, please let me know.

And also, why did it take a foiled plot at the JFK airport for the government to inform us that Trinidad is a terrorist hotbed? The Constitution tasks the government with providing for the common defense, and if they know terrorists are crossing our borders, and landing on our shores from Venezuela, Trinidad, etc., and refuse to do anything about it, should they all be fired and jailed as traitors?

Charles Bondy

Encinitas

Address reimbursement rates

Few people realize that off-base medical benefits for military spouses, children and retirees are provided at lower reimbursement rates than those for the Medicare program. These medical benefits are provided for military dependents via a program known as Tricare.

On June 6, the North County Times ran a front-page article that provided details of a lawsuit by doctors and hospitals against the Medicare program ("County sues feds over Medicare payments; lawsuit alleges agency underpaid by $155 million"). Medicare has designated the San Diego area to be rural and, therefore, provides reimbursement at rates typical for rural settings. Before this rural designation, Medicare allowed 54 percent of my fee. Now, they allow only 45 percent. Fees allowed under the Tricare program are tied to Medicare but are much lower. …

Many doctors and hospitals may decrease or discontinue services completely, as they have done with Medicare patients. I am hopeful that congressional action will be taken to address both the Medicare as well as the Tricare reimbursement rates. Both of these federally funded programs need to seriously consider the impact they have on patients, as well as medical service providers and hospitals.

Donald Bentley,

licensed clinical social worker

Oceanside

VP Cheney is a menace

Dick Cheney has been, and continues to be, a true menace to our democracy. He should be behind bars for the crimes he has committed against our country, our soldiers, our Constitution, the people of Iraq, Valerie Plame and her family, every single CIA agent and every single United States citizen.

Barbara Amador

Oceanside

Don't bet your life on 911

Recently, I attempted to call 911 after observing a dangerous situation on the roadway. After 10 to 11 rings, I received a California Highway Patrol 911 recording. Then I was placed on hold. After five minutes on hold, I hung up.

Many citizens believe that, in an emergency, help is just a phone call away. However, people should know that in San Diego County, including Camp Pendleton, if you are in a wreck, your house is on fire, or a family member has a medical emergency, you may not be able to reach emergency services in time when minutes can mean the difference between life and death.

According to the Highway Patrol, they are critically short of dispatchers with no relief in sight. Their advice: Talk to the governor. Citizens, beware! If you encounter a dangerous situation in the future, don't bet your life on 911.

Hank Donigan

Fallbrook

What proof they are illegal?

So Jeff Schwilk and his gang of marauders (Minutemen) raided a gas station in Bonsall ("Bonsall day labor site attracts protests," June 14). This was because, according to the NCT, "they heard that the day laborers there were causing problems, such as public drinking and urination." How did they hear it, from a little voice in their heads?

Mr. Schwilk also is reported to say that he and his group also believe that "most of the laborers are illegal immigrants." Does he also believe in the tooth fairy? He probably has more tangible evidence for the tooth fairy than the other. As a boy, he probably put a tooth under his pillow and then found money there in the morning. Good evidence for the existence of the tooth fairy (I believe, too). But what evidence does he have that most of the laborers at a Bonsall gas station are illegal immigrants? Hopefully more than just the fact that they may have brown skin.

Bill Homann

San Marcos

Intent of letter bothersome

I felt compelled to write for a couple reasons. First, someone named Mike Campbell mentioned me in his letter (Letters, June 9). Well, I was terribly offended. I assumed it was something about my criticism of our president, aka, Barney Fife. Why, the man even assailed my teaching skills. And here I won Teacher of the Year in 1996. I'm so mad I'm not going to even tell him what state awarded me the honor.

I will say what bothered me the most was the intent of his letter. It was to tell us all what a puny war this is compared to other wars. We have only lost about 3,500 men and women. I don't think he mentioned the over 8,000 who are forever maimed and forgotten. … If Bush has his way, he'll get those numbers up for you, Mike.

My second reason for writing is to say how privileged I feel to live in North County with such brilliant scientific minds. The most prestigious men and women in the field of environmental science say that we are facing a catastrophe with global warming. … Yet Mr. Corcoran (Letters, June 14) from Fallbrook knows the real deal. Who knew we had such formidable people living right here among us? We all know this is nothing more than a liberal fiasco.

I am going to personally write to the people giving out those Nobel Prize awards, and let them know the truth about Al Gore and all those liberals!

Peggy Sloan

Escondido

Will we really have an election in 2008?

On May 9, President Bush signed a presidential directive granting extraordinary powers to the office of the president in event of declared national or catastrophic emergency, apparently without congressional approval. … The president can assume the power to direct any and all government and business activities until the emergency is declared over. It certainly wasn't front-page news.

The National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive was signed May 9 with the dual designation of NSPD-51, as a National Security Presidential Directive, and HSPD-20, as a Homeland Security Presidential Directive. Look it up on the Internet to see the exact wording. "Catastrophic emergency" is loosely defined as "any incident, regardless of location, that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the U.S. population, infrastructure, environment, economy, or government functions." This includes anything.

With Bush declaring himself the war president it would hardly be surprising to see this state of affairs become reality. He has a private army of storm troopers of hundreds of thousands of troops at his disposal (paid for by taxpayer money) ññ Blackwater ññ to control any opposition ññ even from our own military. Remind anyone else of 1933 Germany?

William Eade

San Marcos

More jobs for color consultants

In his breezy defense of NAFTA, Raoul Lowery Contreras says that "each job lost to Mexico or Canada is accounted for, and special training funds are available to retrain those involved." (Letters, June 3). I don't know what statistics exist to show how many displaced workers have been retrained, and for what kinds of jobs, but I'm sure Raoul could make something up to impress me.

In Michael Moore's "Roger and Me," displaced autoworkers in Flint, Michigan, became personal color consultants and sold lint brushes. Maybe these are among the "30 or more jobs created in the United States" for every job lost under NAFTA that Raoul applauds.

But, there's even more good news for Raoul and his fellow free-marketers. Princeton economist and former Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Alan Blinder predicts that 37.7 million jobs, or 29 percent of the current U.S. workforce, could be outsourced to other countries over the next 10 to 20 years. That should create a little over 1 billion new jobs for color consultants and lint brush salesmen here in the U.S.

Doug Bell

Rancho Penasquitos

Chicken roundup

I have a perfect solution to our Iraqi problem: Take about a million live chickens to Iraq and let them loose in all the crowded trouble areas. While the Iraqis are chasing and catching them, our soldiers begin to leave. I figure just about the time they drop them into the pot to cook them, they'll look around and discover we're gone!

Robert Knoll

Oceanside

Stroke article should have informed better

Your article on Joey Vitulli ("School rallies behind stroke victim," June 12) was nothing but a fluff piece pinned to a romantic headline. - Did anyone even ask why a healthy, athletic, drug-free 16-year-old who lettered in track, wrestles, plays football and whose academics are comparable to his athletic ability could even suffer a stroke?

Help people to know that not only are strokes the third-leading cause of death in America, but that anyone can suffer a stroke. Arm people with the knowledge to recognize stroke symptoms and with the urgency needed to get the proper diagnosis and treatment. If Joey had gotten any of the "clotbuster" drugs (www.StrokeAssociation.org) in the first three hours at the emergency room, he wouldn't be going through the agonizing recovery he is now.

Speaking of recovery, your writer could have asked his mom who has been at his bedside day and night since they brought him to the emergency room. She could tell you that he's doing in days what some take weeks to accomplish, if at all.

That kind of comment coming from the source is much more meaningful than, "He's a good kid and good student who gets good grades and is a good football player," from a volunteer at school who has never even been to the hospital to see him.

Joey has touched so many people. The kids at Lakeside High School, out of love and grief, initiated the fundraisers and are continuing through the summer. That's the kind of information that moves a community.

Michele Poulsen

Corona

Dissenters to evolution theory are minimal

Edward Vargo is mistaken when he denigrates evolution as "only" a theory (Letters, June 15). In science, the word "theory" is not a synonym for "guess" or "conjecture." A "theory" in science is a comprehensive and wide-ranging explanation for observed phenomena, an explanation that is falsifiable (i.e., is vulnerable to tests that could prove it wrong), that has made testable predictions, and that has survived later discoveries.

The theory of evolution is the unifying principle of the biological sciences. The vast majority of scientists accept evolution, and among those who work in the disciplines of taxonomy, comparative anatomy, genetics, anthropology, geology and paleontology, acceptance is nearly universal. Contrary to Mr. Vargo's claim, most scientists consider the fossil record to support evolution. This is a debate in American popular culture, not in science.

Yes, you can find a few dissenters amongst scientists. I can also show you an astronomer who still believes in a geocentric universe, because any other cosmology contradicts the Bible. Such aberrant views are held by a very small minority.

The theory of evolution is the only scientific theory that has been forced to defend itself against ancient mythologies in a modern court of law, and this has happened only in the United States. As a result, textbook publishers and public schools are reluctant to treat the theory of evolution in depth, and students' educations suffer. Is it any wonder that we are being eclipsed in science and technology by other nations?

Curtis Croulet

Temecula

Principal off base with bike lane opposition

A flier distributed by Temecula Middle School's principal encourages parents to contact the Temecula traffic engineering department to complain about a planned bike lane along Meadows Parkway in front of the school.

I can't believe a principal is against that wonderful idea. More bike lanes are needed to help keep our children safe. It is dangerous having people on bikes weave in and out of traffic because lazy parents drive their overweight kids to school.

Wake up, Mr. Principal! Our community needs more forward-thinking ideas like bike lanes. A principal concerned about the future of children should applaud the idea of a bike lane. Bike riders get much-needed exercise, which leads to a healthy lifestyle, and bike riders save gas, which helps the environment.

Rather than complaining about driving a little further or parking a little further away, how about starting a program that encourages middle school students to ride their bikes? Riding a bike to school starts the day with exercise that helps kids focus better in school.

I can't believe the school board would approve of this principal's efforts to stop the bike lane while wasting reams of paper with his fliers.

Karrie Carlson

Temecula

Fresh from the Web

Plane crashes on Highway 78

Readers respond to our June 19 story about a Carlsbad pilot, who was testing a rebuilt engine in a single-engine Cessna, crashing on westbound Highway 78 Monday evening, striking a vehicle but causing no major injuries.

Ground them

Airport Annie: "Just another reason NOT to expand the Oceanside airport. Sure, accidents happen but people from that airport have two choices - land on homes or Highway 76. Not much a choice there, is it?"

Friendly skies

Pilot For Major Airlines: "Airplanes are safe. As I can say, it sounds like the pilot did what he was trained to do. I would say this was a good emergency landing. Nobody got major injuries or died. Yes, traffic on freeway but that's everyday. Pilots go through lots of training, as I know I do, and bet this pilot will be more ready for another emergency landing just in case it happens. So let's not over react."

To the pilot

Good Work, Mr Campbell: "Hopefully the driver of the Saturn will make a full and speedy recovery. Meanwhile, that must have been some harrowing time for you and you must be a darn good pilot. Very thankful to read some fairly good news for a change. Sorry for anyone who had the scare of a lifetime being on the freeway close to this, but you're okay, right? A story you can tell your grandkids."

Rad!

G. Goss: "I saw this happen, heading east bound. It was awesome! I took pictures with my cell phone. The pilot was very skilled in how he landed. Not only did he miss the freeway sign but he purposefully grounded the right side of his plane into the median as to avoid hitting people. Kudos to the pilot in this situation."

Bit of fame

California Dreamer: "Wow! I just watched a video of this on the noon news here in Detroit. You guys are famous!"

Traffic plan heads to Encinitas council

Readers respond to our June 19 story about a traffic plan heading to the City Council tonight proposing stoplights, signals and roundabouts to relieve the congestion that clogs Rancho Santa Fe Road every work day.

Don't they know?

blue skies: " 'The study concludes that most roads can meet the demands future development will place upon them through 2030.' Are they crazy? The roads are already overtaxed in too many places."

Jump in

lifer: "Wake up time, folks! This is the traffic study that all your present and future traffic control requests will be weighed against. It's been a long time coming (4 years!) Might be a good idea to go down to city hall Wednesday and hear what it's about."

Speed up

jerry: "How about synchronizing stoplights on the major arteries? Never mind trying to do it on all the roads, only on the major N/S and E/W roads between other major arteries so it could be done soon. Otherwise the overpaid bureaucrats will spend more time and money doing paralysis by analysis."

Planners approve Palomar project

Readers respond to our June 19 story about the San Marcos planning commission voting 5-2 in favor of a controversial mixed-use project near Palomar College.

Two good ones

Nelson and Cohen: "Thank you for having the common sense to vote against this dangerous project. It is shameful that the rest of this commission couldn't see past the photos and dollars signs. It's refreshing to know that at least two planning commissioners take their position seriously and are working to protect the public."

Still a risk

Cancer risk?: " 'But Laura Meyers, a resident who spoke in favor of the project, said she has no problem with the cancer risk because the residents will be made fully aware of the situation before they move in.' Wow, cancer is good if told about it? Tell people that get this cancer every day."

Moving forward

Scott: "I have followed this project over the past few years and was very disappointed when it was first turned down by the City Council. This was very short-sighted in my opinion. Live and work housing is the future and San Marcos finally is waking up to that fact. With the two colleges, this project and San Marcos Creek we will be the forward thinking city of the future in North County with no more taking a back seat to Carlsbad."

Am I safe?

Palomar Employee: "I work at Palomar College. This is the first I've ever heard of this project or the significant cancer risks in this area. If this is true, is just working in this area putting me at risk? What about the other businesses in this area - are their employees being told?"

State recognizes quarry area as mineral resource

Readers commented on an article Tuesday about the state mining board classifying an area proposed for a quarry south of Temecula as rich in mineral resources:

No wonder

Money talks: $2.7 billion! Is there any wonder why Granite Construction wants to decimate the hills to the south of Old Town Temecula?

Jobs and concrete

Digger: Yes! Build the quarry now! We need the jobs and the concrete for local schools and road projects. It's a great day! Welcome to Temecula, Granite Quarry.

Earth-shattering

Concerned-1: Another earth-shattering study: There's a lot of rock in the hills south of Temecula! Yikes, this just reeks of how things work, folks. Hopefully, (County Supervisor) Jeff Stone can see through the dust and make the right decision.

Should be open

Geez: This isn't even an issue. The rocks are there, and the quarry should open.

Hat trickery

Minnesota Mike: Reminds me of what happened many years ago in northern Minnesota. The strip miners came in to make tons of money and the state Legislature let the miners have everything they wanted! … The air was so unhealthy that when playing ice hockey on frozen ponds, we could not breathe well. I now suffer from a permanent lung disease, but I have all those "hat tricks" to remember as the leading scorer for the Bemidje Lumberjacks hockey squad.

Granite dust

AMBER: … I don't know what those in favor of this mine think is going to happen to our air quality. At the present, we are privy to a good air flow through the valley that emanates from the south. How about breathing some nice good ole' granite dust, people?