VOX POPULI............ wrote on Aug 21, 2006 9:36 PM:Shari Mackin should resign immediately, for her misuse of taxpayers dollars NOW!!! What's wrong with this woman? Didn't she swear to uphold the laws of the state of California when she took her oath of office last year??

GFN wrote on Aug 21, 2006 9:40 PM:Bob Shead, you are right-on. "A hotel is great, but not at any price or risk."

GFN wrote on Aug 21, 2006 9:47 PM:Jay Berman, are you sure that Congressman Issa is asking for millions of dollars to be given to Lebanon? We give aid and bombs to Israel; Lebanon allows the terrorist group, Hezbollah, to operate in the southern part of its country and attack Israel; Israel has to invade Lebanon to stop Hezbollah from killing and kidnapping its citizens, and Issa wants us to give money to Lebanon??? Insanity prevails. It seems blood is thicker than common sense.

MELBA......... wrote on Aug 21, 2006 10:05 PM:Send Mackin-A-Packin...she has done enough damage,To Oceanside!!

Daren wrote on Aug 21, 2006 10:15 PM:I absolutely disagree with the people who oppose the desperately-needed renal ban proposal against the criminal illegals invading this country. This proposal is not racistr because it does not target one group of criminals while letting another group of criminals stay illegally. I will also strongly disagree with the people who want universal healthcare until we get rid of the estimated 12 million criminal illegals in this country. After that, ask me again.

To JACK STRUMPF wrote on Aug 22, 2006 7:11 AM:While I'm not condoning his behavior, the biggest way Mel Gibson was treated differently is your average DUI offenders arrest and charges are not made public through a police station press conference for all media outlets to pick up. I know someone who got a DUI a little while back and the situation played out similarly. My friends car was towed (impound fees suck), but I've also seen cases where the car was allowed to remain where it was as long as it could be parked legally and wasn't impedeing traffic. He was handcuffed immediately, but the cuffs were removed once he calmed down. The bail was $1000 and he lost his license for 2 months with 6 months of probation. Had to take AA classes, pay about $2000 in fines and perform 24 hours of community service. Not too far off from what happened to Mel. My friend was just lucky enough not to have NBC (and everyone else) publicizing it.

To STATE vs. PEOPLE wrote on Aug 22, 2006 7:25 AM:If the world really thought like you do, Israel would have been destroyed long ago. America would have been severely weakened or destroyed as well. I think these events are really what you long for.

14th amendment wrote on Aug 22, 2006 7:30 AM:To amend the 14th amendment like John Cusumano wants to do will take a lot of work. While we are at it deciding which babies born in America are really Americans lets also get rid of some of those other pesky amendments. Freedom of the press? Nah, I just end up reading all this drivel by people I don't agree with - let's abolish it, too. And if you're not a Christian? You can just move to Iraq, buddy. And you don't like these new amendments? How about 5 years in Guantanamo to change your mind?

Mike the Marine wrote on Aug 22, 2006 7:39 AM:To Mr. Pino, You are wrong. Elected officials are voted in to better their communities by enacting laws that improve the lives of citizens, not residents. Legal aliens who have taken the step toward citizenship or have become naturalized Americans understand that this must be a nation of laws. Again this is not against aliens but illegal aliens. You people always use the word "prejudice" to fall back on when you have no valid argument.

Randy wrote on Aug 22, 2006 8:32 AM:Vote YES on Prop. T for a Terrific Tri-City Medical Center! Don't throw the baby out with the bath water!!

Tio Sam wrote on Aug 22, 2006 8:35 AM:Tio Sam is depressed today about the nation he lives in. Bush went on the attack, saying, incredibly, that it's the Democrats who don't understand the terror thing. And his approval rating went up into the low 40s. Between a week ago and today, the only thing that changed is that the President made a preposterous "pot calling the kettle black" statement, and once again, millions of Americans buy it. I can't understand, first, why anyone even listens to Bush's speeches any longer, but ok, maybe for the humor value. But to believe that what he says is a reminder of how good a job he has been doing? My faith in democracy is shaken again.

Ron wrote on Aug 22, 2006 9:41 AM:FRANCES CAPPELLETTI letter today points to the frustration many Escondidians feel about the border situation. While ANDY PINO's letter points to the plight of illegals, and potential fallout of enacting this ordinance. And this is the crux of the matter, we disagree. Some want the rule of law, while others believe we need to be more sensitive, and understanding. The "racist" term has been thrown out by those who seek to legalize these illegals, overlooking some basic facts. As people, we all need rules in order to coexist together. When we don't follow the rules, it creates disorder. In Escondido, as well as other communities, we all see the fallout of uncontrolled borders. The disruption, and overburdening to communities is the reason for the division, and not merely a racist bent by some. It just so happens that these illegals are Mexicans, and that does not automatically make this racism. No doubt there are racists amongst us, but they are not the drivng force. The essential question to ask is: Are we going to be a "Nation Ruled By Laws?" Or are we going to be a "Nation Ruled by Our Feelings?" Surely those who come from Mexico are coming for a better life, escaping the poverty of their country. I understand this, and I feel sad for them. A country as rich as Mexico, surely could do better, but their not. So they come. It seems to me the issue gets down to one simple point. How many and how fast do we have to process immigrants? We have laws on the books regulating immigration, those seeking to come, don't think the process is fast enough. They refer to it as "broken", because the process does not cater to their personal preferences. It might be slow, as most government buerauocracies are, but the laws themselves are not broken, unless you fail to obey them.

OceansideKos wrote on Aug 22, 2006 10:28 AM:Wow! What happened to the editorial page today? Dan Walters, David Brooks, Micahel Pattinson and the ever even-handed Thornhill all on the same page. I can see why Mr. Cusumano attacks the NCT for distorting reality... Dan Walters doing his usual smearing of the Democrats in Sacramento, Brooks apparently trying to re-start the sale of his ridiculous and banal "Bobos in Paradise", Michael Pattinson comparing the Coastal Commission to the Symbianese Liberation Army, and good old Thornhill trying to make it sound as if protection of our civil liberties is an absurdity; never mind that the British were following their LAWS regarding wiretapping, unlike Bush. How can he justify that? Members on both sides of the aisle have repeatedly said they would be happy to revise the law, but that would entail and actual discussion of the issue of security vs. civil rights, 4th and 5th ammendment rights, etc. Can't have that now, can we?

EEEK Why is the house flooded? wrote on Aug 22, 2006 11:02 AM:People who claim our immigration system is "broken", probably demand new plumbing when their home flooded because a faucet was left wide open for decades

WeaponsOfMassExpression wrote on Aug 22, 2006 11:16 AM:The immigration laws regulating entry to this country were designed to protect it's citizens. The federal government failed to enforce them largely benefiting one group of people who have easy access, the will and ability to violate our laws. Nothing in the Escondido ordinance is aimed at any one particular race, it is aimed at all persons who violated the laws to enter the country illegally, regardless of race. Now as citizens are chosing to close our taxpayers pocketbooks to those who have benefited from free health care, free education and free social services, we hear the cries of racism. We hear the cries of citizens, too, like Mark Edmonds and Karen Roslie. Our citizens who work multiple dead end jobs, have no health care or have their insurance deny treatment. How can we continue to foot the health care bills for non-taxpaying, non-citizens while our own citizens who are contributing go without? Sympathy is misplaced and it is not about race, it is about money! We have to take care of our own first spend our tax dollars wisely on providing citizens with the best education, quality health care and safety nets we can afford. It is unfair that our working poor don't qualify for programs that illegal immigrants can. We have to start somewhere, charity begins at home. Once we go after the slumlords, employers should be next. If the federal government won't enforce the immigration laws, cities, states and local municipalities have to protect the hard earned money of tax paying constituents.

Neocon wrote on Aug 22, 2006 12:10 PM:Hey Tio Sam, sorry to hear you are battling the Bush blues today. Hope you feel better soon. As to your faith in democracy being shaken, I see your point. We Bush supporters are also perplexed when the rabid left goes on the attack against the president in a time of war, calling him a liar, a war mongerer, a terrorist, etc - basically saying the same things that Islamofanatics and Socialist and Communist dictators say. Saying that Iraq is a quagmire and is "basically" in a civil war (whatever that means). Between the time when Bush's poll #'s were around 50% and a couple months later, the only thing that changed was crazy Howard Dean's rhetoric, John Murtha's high-tail it outta there strategy, crazy Cindy Sheehan, a full media blitz post-Katrina that was more than unfairly tagged on the Federal government, and all the negative garbage that could be drummed up by socialist Dems, millions of Americans bought it. I can't understand why anyone listens to their rhetoric any longer except maybe for shock value. Don't put too much faith in these polls, though. Chances are his numbers are higher than just the low 40's.

Set the record STRAIGHT - wrote on Aug 22, 2006 12:37 PM:Jay Berman (letter today) overlooks the overwhelming truth. It is the United States that is doing all the screaming: “Death to Islamo Fascists and all Muslims!!” The deluded neo-crazies and their idiotarian Bushanista bunch are screaming for Muslim blood even if it is that of innocent children. They justify the barbaric attacks on the Lebanese people who had nothing to do with 9/11. They scream death to the Iraqis, who had nothing to do with 9/11. Even Bush continues his BIG LIE in his speech this week, saying they are all guilty because they are Muslim and live in the Middle East. In the specific case of Lebanon, the BIG LIE talks about the two Israeli POWs, but never speak about the thousands of Lebanese who have languished in Israeli prisons, many for over 20 years. The BIG LIARS ignore the Israeli occupation of Lebanon and the injustices that have come with it. The Bermans ignore that Hezbollah came into existence as a consequence of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982. Like all movements, it has evolved: it was initially a militia and a resistance movement against foreign occupation. It then developed into both a political party and a social organization, providing valuable services to its impoverished community. It is absurd to ask Iran and Syria to sever relations with Hezbollah while asking them to use their influence to obtain its compliance with the cease-fire resolution. What protection would Lebanon have against the aggressions of Israel without the aid of Syria or Iran? It would be like asking the United States to stop supporting Israel. Actually, Israel’s endless wars will not end until BOTH sides starting talking to and respecting each other in good faith. So long as Israel chooses to live by the sword, she will never have peace and security. But that decision must be made by Israel. She can seek peace, or she can continue her barbaric wars. If the Germans and French could become allies, the Israelis and her neighbors can, too.

To Ron wrote on Aug 22, 2006 12:44 PM:How many members comprise Lebanon's Parliament? Are 23 Hezbollah terrorists a significant portion of the entire assembly?

33 DAYS OF MADNESS - wrote on Aug 22, 2006 1:13 PM:… Ron’s dauntingly long tirade (12:05PM) had one kernel of truth: “Hezbollah under estimated Israeli response to the recent kidnappings, believing they could trade prisoners for the 2 soldiers, as they had done many times before.” Not even Hizbollah, as much as it has suffered viciously at the hand of Israel, anticipated the enormity of the Israel’s barbaric response. The whole world was shocked by madmen gone berserk in their killing frenzy in the 33 days of madness which followed. The region is now reeling with resentment, anger and despair. Nor are these policies helping Israel. Israel’s need for security is real and legitimate, but it will not be secured in any sustainable way at the expense of the equally real and legitimate needs and aspirations of its neighbors. Israel and its neighbors could negotiate an honorable settlement and live in peace and harmony. As often happens in complex conflict situations, however, the parties cannot do it alone. They need outside help but are not getting it. But for some incomprehensible reason, the Bush Administration impedes the peace process. Both sides have suffered crushing losses. It is perhaps too early to draw lessons from this month of madness. What is clear, however, is that Hezbollah scored a political victory and its leader, Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, has become the most popular figure in the Muslim world. As for Israel, it achieved not one its stated objectives. Israelis are angry at their failure in leadership, and the government is in danger of falling. Israeli reservists and soldiers are protesting enormous failures of their own military leaders. Should these trends continue, it is hard to imagine stability coming to the region soon.

Ron wrote on Aug 22, 2006 2:13 PM:23 memebers are very significant when you consider what they believe. If the belief that Israel does not have the right to exist, or even coexist with Arab states, sure I would call that very sigificant. I asked this question before, but I'll ask it again. If the Lebanonese now have a political party within the government, fully elected by majorities within Shia communities, that espouse a hatred, and a determination to destroy Israel, is this now a valid political point of view? Should it be? I would liken Hezbollah's political point of view to that of White Supremists. How are they different? They are not different, in my opinion.

Response wrote on Aug 22, 2006 2:43 PM:to "set the Record Straight" and "33 days". I have a couple questions and let's see if you can answer them in a straightfoward manner: Why can't Hezbollah stop antagonizing Israel? If Hezbollah or Hamas never sent in a single suicide bomber or Hezbollah never launched a single rocket, do you think there would be any Israeli aggression?

OceansideKos wrote on Aug 22, 2006 4:06 PM:To Weapons: Why would the government want to "benefit" people who were coming here for "easy access" and to "violate our laws"? Try following the money; who benefits from thousands of "units of cheap labor"? Agri-Corporations, the hospitality industry, developers, to name a few. That's why they're not screaming about it; they get you all riled up through some shill like Brian Bilbray, and let you scream for them to get him and his ilk elected, then it's back to work as usual - literally. The Republicans have been in total control of the Congress since 1992 with one two-year stint during which it was evenly divided (Dick Cheney casting the tie breaker, and his votes are so unpredictable) and nothing has been done. WAKE UP!!!! Big Business doesn't want to pay a living wage; it would cut down on their RECORD PROFITS. In 1972, the average CEO earned 28 times what the lowest paid worker made within a company. Now the average is 430+ times. That doesn't tell you anything? But rather than cut that way back to say, 200X, they'll just pass the costs on to you. Welcome to capitalism, in all its glory.

GFN wrote on Aug 22, 2006 4:12 PM:Wow...great dialogue. Ron, one of the differences is that white suprememists are villified in this country for a bigotry that will not be tolerated. This is why I do not agree with Rep. Issa. If Lebonan had a natural disaster that caused such human suffering, then send the money; but they allow, encourage, even vote for Hezbollah, and until they change, nothing.

Tio Sam wrote on Aug 22, 2006 6:03 PM:Neocon, I certainly see the parallels. But one thing: we are not at war. We started a war in Iraq against Saddam, without justification, and won that war against his non-army. Since then, we are an occupying force. We don't know who the enemy is, because we are utterly confused and planless. Bush utters inane slogans like the 'war on terror' but as many have pointed out, this is a metaphor like the wars on crime, poverty, and drugs. These are all wars in the sense that we are against them, and want to stop them, but they aren't military matters and they aren't the kinds of things you can "win" in the way that you can defeat an enemy. So I don't buy for a moment the claim that Bush is a 'war' president...that's a con man's line, a snake oil salesman's pitch. The recent British success over a terror plot was a great example of what should be happening: an internationally cooperative police action. Just the opposite of W's approach of shock and awe and disaster and who's the enemy. In that sense, protesting what we are doing in Iraq is infinitely MORE defensible and sensible than the Viet Nam war protests ever were...and THEY were right! We don't even have a defined enemy this time, nor a plan, nor an aim. Heck, we won't even know if we won, if that day could ever come, because we don't have a defined mission. Bush's only mission is to win votes and power. That's why the increase in his ratings astound me. Millions of Americans bought the snake oil again...from the same guy that sold them that useless crap before. Amazing!

Tio Sam wrote on Aug 22, 2006 6:48 PM:A droplet of hope: from today's NY Times: QUOTE: Poll Shows a Shift in Opinion on Iraq War By CARL HULSE and MARJORIE CONNELLY WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 — Americans increasingly see the war in Iraq as distinct from the fight against terrorism, and nearly half believe President Bush has focused too much on Iraq to the exclusion of other threats, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll. The poll found that 51 percent of those surveyed saw no link between the war in Iraq and the broader antiterror effort, a jump of 10 percentage points since June. That increase comes despite the regular insistence of Mr. Bush and Congressional Republicans that the two are intertwined and should be seen as complementary elements of a strategy to prevent domestic terrorism. ENDQUOTE Slowly, slowly truth and reality seeps into the minds of Americans, one at a time. One by one, Americans are realizing, "Hey, we've been lied to! Hey, this linking Iraq with 911 is nonsense! Hey, we've been had!"

To Danny wrote on Aug 22, 2006 7:37 PM:There was no ordinance to support! It has not been written yet. The action was to direct the City Attorney to draft a legally valid ordinance to address overcrowding and street parking, including a prohibition to prevent renting to illegal aliens. The City Attorney was not tasked to draft an illegal or unconstitutional ordinance. Danny Perez believes he has the power to see into the future and is able to discern the text of the yet-to-be drafted ordinance. Also, Danny must believe that he has knowledge of all constitutional texts and cases. Rest assured, if the City Attorney's opinion (after extensive legal research) is that the ordinance he drafted is likely to unconstitutional, it will not be passed by the City Council.

Ron’s prejudice shows … wrote on Aug 22, 2006 9:35 PM:. Ron swallows the camel and strains at the gnat (12:05PM). He ignores that Israel has captured over 10,000 Lebanese POWs and has been holding many of them for over 20 years, yet he makes a mountain out of an ant hill about the two poor captured Israeli soldiers. The Israelis are the egregious violators when it comes to imprisoning POWs. He strains at 10,000 Lebanese prisoners, but goes into a hissy fit over a mere two Israelis. What is wrong with this picture?

DISon wrote on Aug 22, 2006 9:39 PM:How often do we really get to laugh in discussions of such great import. Carter's renaming of Escondido to Cracker Creek had me rolling on the floor. I lived there 20 years ago. It was as close as it got to where my family came from - Mississippi. I was glad to have gotten out of both...

How brilliant Israel was . wrote on Aug 22, 2006 10:17 PM:- - How brilliant Israel was to follow Ron’s strategy this time. Stubbornly and foolishly, Israel refused to negotiate a prisoner exchange. She attacked Lebanon with the strongest and most barbaric Blitzkreig possible. So, did Israel get its two soldier back? NO. What did Israel win? Nothing. Israel, lost, instead, the lives of an additional 116 troops, several tanks, one helicopter, two ships put out of commission, and over a billion dollars in property damage. The biggest winners in the conflict were Hassan Nazrallah, leader and strategist for the tiny but tough band of 1,500 Hizbollah fighters who stood down and sent Israel’s 30,000 army into retreat after 33 days, the longest war in Israel’s short history. Hizbollah stood their ground against the invaders of their homeland, fought with a tenacity and brilliance that was as shocking as Israel’s inhumane attack on Lebanese civilians. The biggest losers were the civilians of Lebanon, of course. Had the United States lost as many civilians proportionately as the tiny country of Lebanon, we would have lost 130,000 civilians, a third of them children and infants. Israel suffered a smashing defeat as well, winning the condemnation of the world for its barbarism and war crimes. It lost its reputation as a wily and skillful fighting force. Do you know the old adage: ‘Discretion is the better part of valor’? No matter how Ron paints it, Israel chose foolishly to go to war rather than use discretion. Perhaps the best thing to come out of this disastrous proxy war, is that it has given the Bush-Cheney war machine a wake up call about the certain disaster of the U.S. launching a pre-emptive war against Iran.

Stephen wrote on Aug 22, 2006 11:32 PM:To Mike the Marine, you are also wrong. Our elected officials are voting in laws that harm our communities. Without immigrants, illegal or otherwise, our economy would collapse. We need to throw out the immigration laws, open Ellis Island and put the people who come into our country to work. After all, there are farms in North Dakota and other midwest states the are standing empty.