Esco Local wrote on Oct 9, 2006 11:45 PM:Hey Sam, how about donating that money to one of the schools that is struggling? Charter is a good charity, but some of the others could really use it.

Sam For President! wrote on Oct 10, 2006 12:25 AM:Being a movie buff, I love a happy ending! And like most Hollywood movies this one looked like the bad guys might take over Escondido and run amok with their anarchist, lawless ways. But then our heroes emerged: Marie Waldron, Sam Abed and Ed Gallo, and all the citizens brave enough to rise up and support their courage to do the right thing in the face of hyper political correctness. And the racist La Raza foreign invaders were defeated and the CITIZENS of Escondido lived happily ever after......

and we wil remember wrote on Oct 10, 2006 12:50 AM: "I'm not trying to take away all (Abed's) customers," Perez said. "But people in the Hispanic community, who have been his loyal customers for years ---- they will remember." And WE (that is Americans of all cultures) will remember your cry-baby 'protest'. And if they have enough courage, and have not yet brought into the racist La raza mindset, many Americans of Latino descent shall remember as well. Perez, you have lost.... don't be a sore loser. Just admit you lost, and leave it at that.

Robert24 wrote on Oct 10, 2006 7:30 AM:David Perez says "I'm not trying to take away all (Abed's) customers" this week, but just last week he said that he was going to teach Mr. Abed an economics lesson with his picket! Maybe Mr. Perez should get on the Democratic party ticket, he does such a good job of fence straddling! Make a stand, Mr. Perez. One or the other. Legal or illegal. We'll decide if we like or respect your stand later, but make a stand and stick to it! Oh, and by the way, the threat of Mr. Abed's loyal hispanic customers not forgetting is minimal to those of us who watched the May 1 Anti American Day rally and have not forgotten those establishments and folks who supported that slap in the face of America. Maybe it is time to embrace America and assimilate, instead of supporting and participating in foolish May 1 "parades", and boycotts. Maybe it is time to see that this is not about race, but about right and wrong, legal and illegal, law abiding and law breaking. Maybe it is about time to stop fighting a Country who will offer you the opportunity to be and have whatever you desire, as long as you are willing to work hard for it. Maybe it is time to really stop and think about what America has to offer, and what Mexico (in this case) has to offer. Doesn't it seem worth it to do things right and be a part of a country that is willing to accept and welcome you, as long as you do it correctly? It is obvious, at least to me, that rallies and boycott's are not helping your cause. Good luck, Mr. Perez. I hope you make the right choice.

La Raza's Political Strategy wrote on Oct 10, 2006 7:41 AM:'We call things racism just to get attention. We reduce complicated problems to racism, not because it is racism, but because it works.' --- Alfredo Gutierrez, political consultant, as quoted by Richard de Uriarte, The Phoenix Gazette, March 14, 1992 (quoted in The ProEnglish Advocate, 1st quarter, 2002).

East Esco Resident wrote on Oct 10, 2006 7:52 AM:I missed the rally because I had work. I wish I could have been there. Midway Mobil is a few blocks out of my way, but I will continue to buy gas there as long as Mr. Perez continues his threats of hispanic retribution.

Frank wrote on Oct 10, 2006 7:55 AM:In regard to what Perez had to say. A loyal Hispanic customer that is not loyal to the laws of the United States is an oxymoron.

Confused wrote on Oct 10, 2006 7:57 AM:One day, the illegal alien community is the Hispanic community. Another day it is La Raza, then Latino, then Brown Berets, then Mexican, then Indigenous, then Indian, then Undocumented, then Immigrant, then Migrant Worker, then Poor, then Minority, then Majority, then . . .?

Frank wrote on Oct 10, 2006 7:58 AM:In regard to what Perez said. A loyal customer that is not loyal to the United States laws is an oxymoron.

Yay Sam! wrote on Oct 10, 2006 8:11 AM:Thank you Sam for holding your head up high and being a concerned American. Out with the illegals, they are starting to really turn my stomach.

Double standard wrote on Oct 10, 2006 8:11 AM:"Viva la Raza," an expression of cultural pride among Latinos. Amazing, how you state that. Since La Raza means the Race. Everyone knows La Raza is everything for Latino Race and Everyone else Nothing. If Americans were driving by saying Viva La Caucasion(etc), You wouldn't be saying "an expression of cutural pride among Americans etc." You'd be tearing up that person or group as racist / terrible people. Such a double standard. Sam, Marie, Ed are Heros in this cause of ridding this country of law breakers . We are a nation of laws!! It's about time everybody understand understand the difference between legal and illegal.

BRAVO! wrote on Oct 10, 2006 8:17 AM:We are just now witnessing the tip of the iceberg of the American peoples' outrage over illegal immigration. This issue promises to be perhaps the biggest social issue in the history of this nation and SoCal is the epicenter of it all. The fact is, this out of control invasion from Mexico is the single most dangerous and destructive force attacking our nation in its history. Thank you Escondido City Council for supporting the majority view.

It only gets better wrote on Oct 10, 2006 8:50 AM:Sam what a wonderful idea to give back to the community. As a recent new customer (and ECHS parent) all I can say is thanks and thanks!

WOW wrote on Oct 10, 2006 9:54 AM:SO, HE IS USING HIS POSITION IN PUBLIC OFFICE, FOR HIS PERSONAL GAIN, HMMM... SOUNDS SUSPICIOUS!! DON'T PEOPLE SEE, HE IS MAKING MORE MONEY ON HIS BUSSINESS FOR SOMETHING HE DID WHILE WORKING FOR THE CITY...

To Sam: wrote on Oct 10, 2006 9:54 AM:I just want to tell you that I'm Mexican and a LOT of us are with you. THANK YOU!

quinnie wrote on Oct 10, 2006 10:16 AM:the biggest social issue in the history of this nation? perhaps a bit reactionary, much like each group in front of that gas station. The anti-illegals gor their way and the reality of bordertown life will eventually render the law pointless so everyone wins. now can we move on to doing something about the moldy water in this town? i'm spending 40 bucks a week on drinking water. my clothes stink, my dishes stink and our family and our freinds are sick.

AlegalAlien wrote on Oct 10, 2006 10:22 AM:Thanks Sam, your vote lets the taxpaying legal citizens and residents that live in Escondido know you represent them. Don't worry about the customers you might lose, there are a whole new crop of us lining up to fill our tanks! Now let's just get this ratified, enforced and start cleaning up our city so that visitors will want to stay at our new hotel.

Ron wrote on Oct 10, 2006 10:24 AM:Thank you Sam for the gas, great seeing you out there!!!! See you again next time!!!

lance wrote on Oct 10, 2006 10:57 AM:Wow said Sam Abed is using his position in office for his own personal benefit. I doubt that's true, but if it is then I say more power to him. It isn't surprising that a public official who actually cares about the people and takes actions for the public good is going to be thought of highly by the people, and so if that public official has a business that business is going to benefit. The result is that GOOD DEEDS GO REWARDED. That is known as meritocracy, and we should welcome it, not criticize it.

To "WOW" wrote on Oct 10, 2006 11:52 AM:Shouldn't your comment be "WOW! The boycott didn't work! When people wanted to PUNISH Mr. Abed for what he did in office; so he would PERSONALLY lose money - that was “okay”. But since it backfired it's “not okay”? He didn't ask for a boycott. Many locals didn’t even KNOW he owned that business until the boycotters told them. So some people went out of their way to show Mr. Abed that they did not support the so called “boycott” and purchased gas there. And by the way wasn’t it a pleasant surprise that he was thoughtful enough to want to give it back to the High School located near his business? He was showing his appreciation for the community’s appreciation. Very nice story if you ask me.

Joe wrote on Oct 10, 2006 11:56 AM:Keep these stories coming. We need to know where all the idiots live and work. Better yet ...maybe it would be easier if the rest of us...those that think immigration isn't the business of landlords...just don't do any business of any kind in Escondido. A community this narrow minded doesn't need our money.

Ron wrote on Oct 10, 2006 11:58 AM:I hope he is checking ID on every customer to make sure they are all legal. Let's get checkpoints every few miles to make sure all drivers are legal. Let's also check ID at the mall, Walmart, Target, etc... Let's get'um. We can round them up and ship them out.

Landlord wrote on Oct 10, 2006 12:03 PM:We have rented to whoever for so long that it will take more then this law to stop us. On top of that with the renters rights laws in effect in California, it would take us weeks / months to evict the poor criminals! Especially after the ACLU finishes counseling them! Then we'll be losing money! Oh well, maybe I should not have let all those bunk beds into my one and two bedroom apartments! Imagine, they were rented as unfurnished but when the other criminals moved out they let me buy yhe bunkbeds then I could raise the rent when I rented them as furnished apartments! Such a deal!

Cal_Patriot wrote on Oct 10, 2006 12:43 PM:Atta Boy, Sam! You stand as a fine example of how a LEGAL immigrant to this country demonstrates his loyalty to his new home. Take a lesson, Danny Perez and your illegal pals!

anotherview wrote on Oct 10, 2006 12:56 PM:Thank goodness for Mr. Abed having the spine to address the social ill of overcrowded housing in the City of Escondido resulting from the presence of illegal aliens. Of course, all supporters must admit that blocking the renting of housing to illegal aliens serves only as a band-aid to the resolution of illegal immigration. The illegal aliens will simply go elsewhere to find housing. Meanwhile, the courageous action of Mr. Abed has led to a political phenomenon whereby his business, a gas station, has become a local ground zero in the national push to remove illegal aliens from America. To further this movement to success, however, the U. S. Congress must pass a law, with teeth, prohibiting employers from hiring illegal aliens, and must reject an amnesty for illegal aliens. Without the prospect of either a job or an amnesty, the illegal aliens now here will tend to self-deport, and the foreign nationals will tend not to come here. In turn, the host of other negative social, economic, and political impacts fostered by the presence of illegal aliens will moderate. Jobs will open for Americans, reducing unemployment. The number of criminal illegal aliens will drop, saving the State of California alone hundreds of millions of dollars annually in prison operation costs. The demand for social services to illegal aliens will decline, cutting the outgo for such services. The other burdens on local, state, and federal budgets will ease, freeing monies to spend on the needs of Americans. This debate has not ended. Contact your federal elected officials to urge passage of a law stopping employers from hiring illegal aliens, and to reject an amnesty for illegal aliens. America can get along okay without illegal aliens.

solution wrote on Oct 10, 2006 1:24 PM:Since national city wants to be a sanctuary city for illegals and escondido doesnt. Why dont we send the 20,000 illegals to national city. The legal citizens of escondido population is 100,000. If each of us gave $100 dollars to pay the illegals to go live in national city that would be $10,000,000. Each illegal would get $500 in moving expenses. Can we put this on the november ballot.

Long time resident of Esco wrote on Oct 10, 2006 1:28 PM:The issue of illegals in Escondido has been going on for too many years. Ten years ago people would talk among themselves about the drain on society but would not speak out because they would be labled racist. It is not racist to want our laws enforced. Now is the time for all legal American citizens (no matter where or when you came or what your ethinic background is) to stand together and push for our laws to be followed. We all are paying for illegal aliens to be here and I for one have had enough.

NC Times get it right wrote on Oct 10, 2006 2:44 PM:Here's another example of the frustration. Read the headers to the responses. This town is called Escondido. Not "ESCO". Wonder how long the NC Times staff doing the editing has lived here?

Randy wrote on Oct 10, 2006 3:22 PM:How could a city council be so stupid as to intentionally alienate nearly half of Escondido's residents? How is this city council's actions contributing to the peace, security and prosperity of Escondido? This city council has no conception of public service. This city council is completely self-absorbed in serving themselves!

big picture wrote on Oct 10, 2006 3:40 PM:it's not the little mom and pop shops like Mr Abed's that we need to worry about. Have you walked into the new CVS stores or large chain stores all of their signs in the stores include spanish language whom do you think they are trying to attract as customers, that's where to focus your attention people they know where the money's to be made.....

I was at Frys this weekend wrote on Oct 10, 2006 5:28 PM:And THANK GOD someone spoke English. I was so grateful! As to Landlord, you should be ashamed! You are a perfect example of a poor neighbor and a poor American. I hope this law lets folks go after YOU! Randy... these people are ILLEGAL residents, those of us who are American Citizens (yes even those of us with Hispanic backgrounds) want them GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ME: a legal immigrant! Si se Puede! wrote on Oct 10, 2006 5:55 PM:"The money is just a symbol of support from the silent majority around the country." This line by Gary Walker really sums it all up. Everything is symbolic, even the ordinance banning renting to illegals. It's SYMBOLIC of the tax paying publics disgust and outrage with this illegal immigration crisis that is hurting American familes...our children and working parents. Sam, we hope you become a multi millionaire because of this (he's probably already one as a hard working legal immigrant). Thank you Escondido City Council. Now let's get more ordinances and laws dealing with this problem. Illegal immigration is very bad for our community.

To anotherview wrote on Oct 10, 2006 6:12 PM:We have tough laws. Almost all of these tough immigrations laws are not being enforced by the nation's chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Gonzales is trying to trick Americans into a phoney compromise: tougher laws in exchange for amnesty. Did you know it is a felony for an alien to illegally enter the US after being deported. Did you know that it is a felony to provide shelter (or harbor) and illegal alien? 5 years imprisionment is increased to 10 years if the sheltering is done for financial gain! (Look out landlords and friends if the Federal Government ever gets serious about enforcing the immigration laws!) The list of felonies goes on! The misdemeanor list is even longer! Did you know that the INS must verify the status of an alien if requested to by a state or local government? Finally, did you know that AG Gonzales admitted to Larry King that his grandparents were illegal immigrants. I agree that we should contact our elected officials, but not for new laws that may include amnesty, we should demand enforcement of existing laws!

JoAnn wrote on Oct 10, 2006 7:10 PM:It's very simple. November 7th we vote. We have to vote. Show your support for Marie Waldron who along with Sam Abed is doing what is right and legal for our city. If you care you will vote. KEEP ESCONDIDO LEGAL!!!!

Hello? Anybody Home? wrote on Oct 10, 2006 7:43 PM:It's amazing to see how many people (including Sam Abed) are basking in the glory of other's people's misery. Alot of legal citizens are hurt by the hate and discrimination this ordinance has stirred. I wonder why the advocates for this ordinance do not write their letters and angry words to the entities that actually have the authority to enforce illegal immigration issues? Do not point your finger at your neighbor, unless you have proof that the individual is illegal. Originally, the ordinance was suppose to address "over-crowding". The General Plan has this to say about "over-crowding": "It can serve as a warning sign that a community does not have an adequate supply of affordable housing and/or housing units for large families. The combination of low wages and high housing costs have forced many low-income households to live in an extended family environment or double up." That's what the General Plan says. (Aren't we reminded constantly, that Escondido has one of the lowest median income levels and that only 9% of SD County residents can afford to buy homes?) Well, if "you" have been awake during the last four years, "you" will have noticed that Escondido has been inundated with high dollar homes and very few affordable homes. Our current City Council has actually created the over-crowding through the mass construction of high dollar homes and the mass apartment/condo conversions. Wake up and smell the coffee - the residents are not the problem - the City Council is the problem. I know this will go in one ear and out the other - that's expected. And I'm sure people will direct their angry words and insults towards me - that's expected. But, I will go to sleep tonight, knowing that I have love in my heart and care about my fellow man. I will not pass judgement on someone because of the color of their skin - or their sexual orientation - or their disability. So, bask on...in your cess pool of judgement...I feel sorry for you.

Stephen wrote on Oct 10, 2006 8:46 PM:So Long time Esco resident wants our laws regarding immigration to be enforced. That is all very well and good. However, as a third generation American citizen (Norwegian descent) I disagree with him. In fact, I am one of the people who called the actions of the council members racist and anti-American. I am sure that most American citizens would agree with that.

Roberto wrote on Oct 10, 2006 9:03 PM:Wheres the beef? Numbers on loss dollars vs. money made please. Apples to apples, not comparing apples to oranges which incidently both are picked by Mexicans. No statistics, no facts just a bunch mindless cyberbabble IMHO. As for at Fry's, go to night school and learn spanish and and at least get a "D"....

Fred wrote on Oct 11, 2006 1:03 AM:The effort of local government to address the issue of illegal immigration is in the best interest of the people of this country. They are taking action while President Bush does very little to stop illegal immigration. It is a sad when the Federal Government does not enforce the law.

LP wrote on Oct 11, 2006 2:30 PM:Right.. Who is going to audit his finances to make sure he is donating the funds as he says? Are you? Give me a break. The guys a politician. Enough said.

What a lemon wrote on Oct 13, 2006 7:49 AM:Hey, Daniel Perez; please boycott my lemonade stand..I need the business.