So then...... wrote on Jan 17, 2008 4:14 AM:The mayor is proud of the fact that Escondido has "....several museums, a performing arts center, a defined downtown, a ‘first-rate’ (***IS THAT AN OFFICAL TITLE???***) hospital, two lakes, a winery, a brewery and several shopping centers." Um, isn't a city the size of Escondido SUPPOSED to have such amenities? Isn't that to be expected? So why boast? Might as well boast that Escondido has running water and indoor toilets--- overused as they may be.

Insofar as the "The Star-Spangled Banner" is concerned, yes, it does take both black and white keys to play that song. But lets never forget that it is a NATIONAL anthem, celebrating ONE nation. It was composed by an AMERICAN. It is sung by AMERICANS. It celebrates AMERICA. It is the national anthem of ONE country, the United States of America. Many non-Americans may appreciate its beauty, and agree with its theme. Many may even be envious of it, or perhaps even hate it. But it is written by an AMERICAN, for AMERICANS alone. It is a song meant to invoke patriotism for ONE nation alone! ONE people alone! It is not celebrating any other country but America. The mayor can misrepresent this song with her little out-of-context story all she wants to, it doesn't change the fact that the song is for Americans--- of every race, color and creed.

If the national anthem isn't your national anthem, then you have absolutely no participation in it, be it positive or negative. The black and white key analogy is faulty and superficial when applied to NON-CITIZENS, no matter what their race, color or creed. IF the national anthem is applied to illegal aliens, then it has lost its meaning. It has lost its power. It has lost its essence. If you strip it of its exclusiveness, you strip it of it uniqueness, and the very thing which sets it apart from the national anthems of other nations.

I can understand its attraction on the part of illegal aliens, but I cannot help but think that that attraction is simply economic in nature only, and not from the heart. Would the illegal aliens who want to celebrate the greatness of Mexico wish to subjugate the same rights of another nation to do the same with its own? I can arrive at no other conclusion when one views the sheer number of illegal aliens, and their conduct towards the United States of America.

The mayor would seek to include people who are here illegally in the celebration of America, in the benefits American citizenship offers. If there is no more distinction, then there is no more uniqueness. Without that, we have lost the very thing which defines our country. You can debate all you want, but at the end of the day, you are either an American citizen, or you are not. If you are not an American citizen, then you are not an American. (I am sorry to point out the obvious.)

The mayor is a traitor, because she has sworn to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America. By allowing non-citizens to diminish the validity of the laws of the United States by non-enforcement of these same laws she has committed treason. If our so-called leaders---both national and local--- do not take drastic and immediate steps to seal and enforce the border, along with across-the-board deportation and a retroactive repeal of the 14th Amendment birthright attained by children of illegal aliens, then you can say goodbye to what made America great--- to what made America unique. If our present status quo is maintained, then it is only a matter of time until the very greatness and uniqueness that the “Star Spangled Banner” celebrates and affirms is lost forever. If that occurs, our national anthem will have devolved into nothing more than a swan song. (Of course, if this occurs I don’t think the illegal aliens would shed one tear. And when America is no longer America, what will the illegal aliens seek after then? It is like building your home on the side of a mountain. The very beauty one seeks to get closer to is destroyed because it is not held in correct regard. Its uniqueness is circumvented for the sake of a lifestyle.)

Hey wrote on Jan 17, 2008 6:45 AM:with the recession here, what do you think displaced Americans are going to be doing for work? You got it, going after the illegal alien work force, any idea on how to handle that issue, with the possibility of it going violent?

local wrote on Jan 17, 2008 6:59 AM:Pfeiler said nothing about quality of life in my own single family home neighborhood. She's bound and determined to force us all down to the level of Esco's lowest instead of working to raise them up. Sorry, but I don't want to have huge, loud speaker equipped, boom boom beer parties that the police refuse to respond to--and believe me, I don't want others in my neighborhood of single family homes to have them either. I don't want a dozen "uncles" living in my garage. I don't want to talk so loud, inside, outside, no difference, that the entire neighborhood is dominated by my voice like it or not. But it appears the Mayor wants me to. I don't want to be part of Esco's huge tax evading underground economy and, Madame Mayor, I don't want to have to take up the slack for it and I don't want to look at the third world-type blight from the thousands who are invited to this poor, old city by you. She talks about "class," a word I don't care much for, but truthfully, I don't think she knows there are actually two kinds of class, and my only conclusion can be that she is totally lacking one of them.

Ray wrote on Jan 17, 2008 7:52 AM:What don't you guys make your councilmembers more accountable, they are in much part the problem for the finacial misshaps of last year.

I Agree wrote on Jan 17, 2008 8:05 AM:with Local completely! Pfeiler is very weak and it shows in what Escondido is turning into. She's most concerned with tax revenues rather than quality of life for residents. Escondido is turning into a slum and Pfeiler is contributing to it. Lets elect and vote in a Mayor that knows what they are doing and clean up Escondido before its too late.

Susan wrote on Jan 17, 2008 8:19 AM:In my humble opinion it's time for our Mayor to retire. Her vision of this city is not mine.

Feck wrote on Jan 17, 2008 8:20 AM:Pfeiler's "feel good" rhetoric is only so much hot air. I'm sick of officials telling us that we MUST sit back and let lawlessness and anarchy continue. Why does no one, from city officials to federal, stand up for the law? Why are some laws followed and enforced, while others are conveniently stashed?

And yes, I am referring to the illegal alien invasion. Why can other countries vigorously defend their own, but we can't?

I agree with the top poster. Go ahead, mayor-- shove lawlessness down our throats, and tag us with another school bond to support the overcrowding of schools by kids ... who should be schooled in Mexico. Go ahead and tell us we should allow our communities to be used up and torn up by a massive invasion from Mexico.

Tell us there is a severe water shortage, when we know all too well that the population is increasing by leaps and bounds from a foreign source.

The scales are tipping, and the American people are really, really angry.

Listen, I love all people and cultures. I am well traveled, and that includes Mexico. But believe me, these demands placed on the American citizen are ridiculous, and we will start pushing back.

bryan wrote on Jan 17, 2008 9:02 AM:The illegals are a huge drain on our resources. Which will only get worse in a recession. This state is in trouble and will need to raise taxes to support the illegals.

good advocate wrote on Jan 17, 2008 9:55 AM:The Mayor is a good advocate for our city, even when we're not at our best. She's right, it's time for us to come together.

Concened-1 wrote on Jan 17, 2008 10:05 AM:I'm surprised that the mayor's speech wasn't translated into Spanish.

all the same wrote on Jan 17, 2008 10:07 AM:negative bloggers everytime there is an article about Escondido. Yawn...so bored of reading your comments. If you don't like it move to Temecula. I for one like it here and love being close to San Diego and 20 minutes to the beach. No, it's not perfect but don't live in the bad areas or go near them. The outskirts of Escondido are very lovely. I'm here to stay. If your not happy find something that will make you happy. Every city has their issues!

To all the same wrote on Jan 17, 2008 11:27 AM:with the gang injunctions in place in inner Escondido, the only safe place for da gangsters to hang is in your lovely area of Escondido, Enjoy!! Welcome to our nightmare!

[to] all the same wrote on Jan 17, 2008 11:32 AM:hey mr same - what a wonderful solution...give up and move.

Robert24 wrote on Jan 17, 2008 12:11 PM:Very well written, "So then". Amazing how someone with some common sense can clarify how this Country is supposed to work. Too many people (like "good advocate" and "all the same") want to stick their heads in the sand and make believe there is no problem. "No, it's not perfect but don't live in the bad areas or go near them" is supposed to be a rationale for bad behavior? That's like saying murder (or child molesting, wife beating, etc.) is okay as long as it isn't happening in my house! I just don't get the tolerance for this kind of behavior......

RECALL wrote on Jan 17, 2008 1:26 PM:is my answer to the mayors speech! She must live in RB or something, because she hasn't got a CLUE about what citizens in Escondido have to put up with.

To 'all the same' wrote on Jan 17, 2008 1:36 PM:I live in a high end home in a what was a very nice neighborhood 20 years ago. Don't worry - be happy. Your turn is coming. Rot is hard to stop once it starts to spread.

Concerned wrote on Jan 17, 2008 2:04 PM:The Mayor will figure it out when a multi-family moves in across the street from her house. She has lost touch with reality and needs to be replaced.

Escondodo wrote on Jan 17, 2008 2:38 PM:The mayor doesn't have the right to choose the charities that we contribute to. If she personally wants to help the illegals, that is her right, but not our responsibility. We all have our own favorite charities and causes. This is pure arrogance on her part.

Jackie Oh! wrote on Jan 17, 2008 2:49 PM:Where Oh! where to start? I'm afraid I'm starting to sound like a broken record. So I won't repeat myself again! If you like, please look back at my postings on the "Latino market" article this week & also the editorial letters dealing with "English" as the official language of California this week. God bless Escondido...it and its law-abiding, LEGAL residents are in DIRE needs of real solutions, soon! An excellent place to start would be with a new Mayor.

Bob wrote on Jan 17, 2008 4:27 PM:Are we as the United States of America going to see our tri-centenial? I fear not. Not in this current state of invasion that we are in, which the Government chooses to keep their blinders on and do absolutely nothing about it. This blatant diregard for the laws by the people that are not legally here is not only unsafe for we that obey the law but it is very dishonorable. We need to get our borders secure before we lose everything our for-fathers fought for.

Tom wrote on Jan 17, 2008 7:00 PM:has anyone asked 'why' no one seems to respond to the concerns of the legal citizens complaints of all/ any illegal activity of the illegal immigrant. Why does the city ignore all its muni code violations, people allowed to do business without a business license etc. why, why. ps, again I post several post and ask these questions, without any crude language or name calling but only about 2 out of 3 get posted. todays earlier attempt to post asked, why the law abiding citizen always has to 'give in' to the non-law abiding so that we can 'all get along'?

local wrote on Jan 17, 2008 8:48 PM:Tom asks logical questions about the selective, unequal enforcement of laws. I'd love to hear our Mayor explain why that is moral and legal and detail exactly why it's good for society and why we should feel proud of it.

Linda wrote on Jan 17, 2008 8:53 PM:I wonder what changed Pfeiler's courage? I remember when there was a Prop 187 meeting at the City Hall. Crowded way beyond safety measure. Three full sized Mexican flags held unfurled by Mexicans standing at the rear of the room. I don't remember who else voted for 187 -- but Lori Pfeiler was in the minority when she voted for it. That tooks some guts. But since then she has thrown in the towel. Did someone make her an offer or threat that she couldn't refuse?

westside resident wrote on Jan 18, 2008 7:31 PM:I totally agree with comments made by "local" The mayor ought to try living in our neighborhood for a while and then see if she still feels we should all just get along.

I'm sure she doesn't have to endure all of the things in her neighborhood that "local" talked about.

JP wrote on Jan 18, 2008 9:56 PM:Wonderful comments, by "so then" and "local" and others here on this post of like view. Thanks for expressing so well. I just hope we get another "Grande Launderia" or "SuperMercado" grocery store in this town...I don't think 50 of each is quite enough!