John wrote on Apr 8, 2008 10:47 PM:Ray Raino's letter on a drug free world is pretty darned good. In addition to the points Ray has raised let me add a few. Viagra, Cialis, Tylenol, Starbucks, Red Bull. Ask your doctor if any of these poisons are right for you. The drug dealers are all around us. It is futile to expect a drug free society when we are wrapped in an endless sea of slick drug promotions aimed at convincing us that drugs will solve all of our problems. Heck y'all! Even our tap water has drugs in it. We are a medicated society. Drug free? Not gonna happen.

John wrote on Apr 8, 2008 11:03 PM:As long as I'm on drugs (the subject that is)... I was reading the NCTimes that were piled up on the kitchen table after leaving town for a few days and I noticed this jewel from writer Tony Klabunde - Stop the insanity on medical marijuana. Tony is right on the mark. We are wasting too much federal money chasing after patients who use pot. I was at a debate at CSUSM that was moderated by Kent Davy, between Bilbray and Busby. When asked if they would protect Californians who use medical marijuana under state law from federal raids, they both answered that they would. Busby lost so I can't hold her accountable. Bilbray won and voted against California patients and states' rights. Read Tony's full letter on the NCTimes web site at: http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/04/04/opinion/letters/61e7ec1dc2f19784882574210077ad18.txt

Blogging addict wrote on Apr 8, 2008 11:13 PM:Mike Campbell writes a mean letter, but it aint gonna get McCain elected. The GOP is toast. It may be hard to believe when you drive around North County and see SUV's that still brandish Bush Cheney stickers on the bumper. But change is coming and folks like Mike are going to have to get used to President Barak Obama.

Blogging addict wrote on Apr 8, 2008 11:17 PM:OK - this is my last one today. I gotta stop hanging out on these comment sections. But one more post for the day... What do you get when you cross Al Gore and Barak Obama? Al-Obama! Almost sounds like a red state don't it?

OBAMA MAMA - wrote on Apr 9, 2008 12:01 AM:- I thank Carol Kissin for her comments on the beautiful name Barack Hussein Obama. Barack is a Semitic word meaning "to bless" as a verb or "blessing" as a noun. In its Hebrew form, barak, it is found all through the Bible. His middle name “Hussein” is also from the Semitic word, “hasan“, meaning "good" or "handsome." Husayn is the diminutive, affectionate form.
Americans may think of Saddam Hussein when they hear the name, but that is like thinking of Stalin when you hear the name Joseph. The minds of some people are twisted, of course.
Barack and Hussein are both Semitic words. Americans have been named with Semitic names since the founding of the Republic. Fourteen of our 43 presidents have had Semitic names. It is a name to be proud of. It is an American name. It is a blessed name. It is a heroic name, as heroic and American in its own way as the name of General Omar Nelson Bradley. And denigrating that name is a form of racial and religious bigotry of the most vile and debased sort. It is a prejudice against names deriving from Semitic languages!
Barack is a Semitic word meaning "to bless" as a verb or "blessing" as a noun. In its Hebrew form, barak, it is found all through the Bible.
The nation will soon grown to accept President Obama’s names as prophetic.

OBAMA MAMA - wrote on Apr 9, 2008 12:16 AM: - Presidents tend to govern the way they campaigned.
Of the three candidates still in the 2008 race, Obama has run the best campaign by far. McCain's was a top-heavy, slow-moving, money-hemorrhaging Hindenburg that eventually exploded, leaving the McCain to resurrect his bankrupt candidacy only because his GOP competitors were all so ridiculous narrow and incompetent.
Clinton's campaign has been marked by vicious infighting and organizational weakness, as manifested by her terrible performance in caucus states.
Obama's, by contrast, has been an organizational wonder, the political equivalent of crossing a Lamborghini with a Hummer. His well oiled campaign out raise Clinton almost two to one, and McCain by four to one. And all this campaign funding is from average donars, at less than $100 per contributor.
Sen. Obama know that as president he will be but one man, and that if he is to turn that nation around, Americans must wake up, take up arms against the politics of greed and power, and unite behind the new president. Together, American can do far better. Obama is the true uniter, and that is what is required to heal our land.

Pedestrian wrote on Apr 9, 2008 3:56 AM:Gregg Wright expressed my point of view exactly. Jaywalking in most areas is safer than pretending that traffic laws will be obeyed. I've jaywalked for years and dare any cop to prove that I'm wrong. Walk a mile in my shoes!!!

Ron wrote on Apr 9, 2008 6:44 AM:So, I'm guessing here by your post "Alf"
{Apr 8} @4:39 PM: That your a principal kind of guy. Believe me, I get that.
And like I said, in a perfect world I'd be with you on this. I really would.
But, I find your just a little too stiff on how these rights are formulated, Consitutionally speaking.
Take your second post "Alf" {Apr 8}
@4:46 PM: When your talking about the second amendment. While I'll agree the second is a right, it is not an absolute right. There is room within the Constitution for some "bickering."
What I mean by that, is this: You do not have the right to own a nuclear weapon. And probably a bazooka either.
While you have the right to own a gun, that right can be curbed. Just as outlawing gun ownership would be unconstitutional, they can & do limit the type & kind of weapons law-abiding citizens can own.

It is the same with unreasonable searches and seizures. Now, don't get me wrong, as a citizen, I want them to get a warrant as well. But I understand the size of this problem they are up against. They are stuck in a world where right after 9/11 everyone and their brother was screaming about "connecting the dots." I remember very well, the accusations about how this government was "asleep at the swtich" and alllowed 9/11 to happen through lack of proper law enforcement.
If we do not connect the dots, we are left wide open to another attack, maybe of the same scale. Is that what you want? On the other hand, if you want to continue to insist that it is an absolute right, that no one should ever be allowed to breech your right to not be listened to without a warrant in this age of throw-away technology. Then I think you should prepare yourself for another attack. And when, or if it does happen, you should not be one of those who say: "Why didn't you connect the dots?" Cause those really are your only options. Either allow some intrusion into your 4th amendment rights, or expect another hole in another city.
Those are the choices.
Again... not a perfect world. But, you could live in Britian where they have the right to hold you for up to 28 days, without charging you, while they gather evidence against you.

question for Realist wrote on Apr 9, 2008 8:38 AM:picking up from yesterday: I understand that you learn from many sources and appreciate that. The question was simpler: what are the specific sources for the specific claims you made yesterday about Iraq's oil, economy and military? Looking forward to the answer of this very simple question.

Unhappy yawn wrote on Apr 9, 2008 8:43 AM:As I posted a couple of days ago, this round with Petraeus is met with unhappy yawns. The die is cast, isn't it? Can't go forward, can't go back. More of our money will be doled out, much of it into a cesspool of corruption. More of our children will die for no great reason. Who knows when it will get better? Petraeus sees no light at the end of the tunnel yet. (Maybe Joe Lieberman should be in charge over there: he had more invented answers than questions. He thinks things are going wonderfully. Sounds like he wants to be VP or something!) Iraq and Iran are best buds. What a mess. The one and only hope that I see is that Americans might, just might, become more wise and skeptical in the future when a "leader" waves the war flag. Iraq is what happens when you go in for no good reasons and have no knowledge of the territory. It should never have happened. But the past is past, so let's make darn sure we don't elect someone who is prone to doing this exact same thing elsewhere.

Karl wrote on Apr 9, 2008 8:49 AM:Surfer, got to jump in on the love fest between you and Reardon. At 54 years of age last year I jumped on a board for the first time. My very best bro (surfer since birth I think) died of Leukemia in January and 40 of closest buds (all surfers except me) paddled out at Tres Palms, formed the big circle and dumped flowers and the biodegradable leftovers. I lucked out, I had a lot of help, was on Roger's favorite board (an aircraft carrier I am told), made it out and actually caught an ankle slapper on the way back in. It was the biggest workout I've had since before I got my own golf cart and used to take the clubs out of the trunk to load them onto the cart. Now the sticks stay on the cart. I had a great time and now see the deal with surfers. My buds are going to help me again but I told them no way until water temp and air temp rise above 70. I'd love to see you out there for my 2nd annual.

Benjamin Franklin says wrote on Apr 9, 2008 8:51 AM:Well, "Ron" at 6:44AM, Benjamin Franklin said it best "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.". You see, while I choose liberty, your path ends in the loss of both liberty and safety (from without and from within). Regards, Alf.

Poor Julie wrote on Apr 9, 2008 9:21 AM:I think you have had just one to many cups of minutemen kool-aid. You don't really believe all that stuff do you? I don't but you get an A for effort.

Apollo wrote on Apr 9, 2008 9:24 AM:Re: Ron (6:44 a.m.)
I appreciated the measured and reasoned tone of Ron's comment, though it does leave some room for further comment.
Certainly the Second Amendment can be interpreted as either a collective or individual right, but either way it uses the term "well-regulated" so that the "curbs" Ron mentions are not the result of "bickering" but are explicit.
As for understanding the temptation to curtail civil liberties after 9/11 because of screaming about "connecting the dots," it is important to keep in mind first that many of these violations began well before 9/11, and the screaming was because we already had the information, as noted in the Aug 6, 2001 Presidential Daily Briefing, the reports on Al Qaeda students in flight instruction programs, and many hours of transcribed audio recordings (however obtained) that were not used because we did not have enough translators of Arabic, even while they were being rejected for being gay.
The screaming was not because we needed to gather more information, but because we failed to utilize what we actually had.

John wrote on Apr 9, 2008 9:28 AM:Right Julie, let's check out the Minutemen website to see how "squeaky clean" they are. Because if there's one place to find fully-disclosed, objective information on a controversial group, surely it's their own promotional website.

Apollo wrote on Apr 9, 2008 9:47 AM:Re: Ray Raino (letter)
I liked the balanced approach in Ray's letter - he acknowledges the legitimacy on both sides of the issue of drug legalization and tries to craft a position in the middle.
Drug criminalization is just as much a failure as Prohibition and for the same reasons. It does not stop consumption of the outlawed products and only multiplies the criminal element in society.
But legalization ain't so hot either. Legalizing alcohol has resulted in more than 500,000 deaths per year, clearly making it a problem that needs to be addressed at some level by public policy.
The answer has to be decriminalization, but not full legalization.
There needs to be a middle category between being legal and illegal, and it could include vices that are harmful but cannot be feasibly outlawed, including cigarettes, alcohol, gambling, drugs and possibly prostitution (though this is a complex social disorder).
Such "decriminalized' vices could be available at reasonable cost and oversight, driving out the criminals who profit from it, with advertising of them prohibited, and they could be taxed to fund treatment and education programs, with information about these to be provided along with the decriminalized elements.

Surfer wrote on Apr 9, 2008 9:48 AM:Karl[-] wrote on Apr 9, 2008 8:49 AM: Imagine having three cool dudes on one blog. Sorry for the loss of your bud. Cancer is bad news for everybody concerned. Lost seven of my kin to that disease. Anyway, I understand about the temp. Sometimes, I wear a wet suit when the youngsters do not seemed bothered by the water temp at all. Bones getting old.
Still searching for the perfect wave. I hang out a lot at Beacons, Moonlight and Swami's. Might see ya out there. See ya brah.

The minutemen are not nice people wrote on Apr 9, 2008 10:15 AM:I think Julie Quinn's letter should have been printed on April 1, because it is one big joke. If she really believes that about this group I feel so sorry for her. I am not sure if I should laugh or cry.

To Poor Julie wrote on Apr 9, 2008 10:28 AM:Please point to Julie's errors. Which parts are made up?

To Mr. Wright and Pedestrian wrote on Apr 9, 2008 10:32 AM:I hear you both! Far too many drivers a simply in too much of a hurry these days to care about anyones well-being.

On the freeways they weave and tail-gate. On the streets they blow off stop lights and harass bicyclists and pedestrians.

You are taking your life in your hands crossing the street. Make the crossing where ever you deem it's safest to do so.

Ron wrote on Apr 9, 2008 10:48 AM:Bickering around the edges is what we have done in this country since the founding, "Apollo" @9:24 AM. We could go down the list, starting at the Commerce Clause, and ending with the General Welfare. Inevitably, what we always seem to end up with are two very distinct camps, the Federalists and the
Anti-Federalists.
But, in the second half of your post, are you actually saying: WE knew beforehand, and did nothing to prevent it? As in... wanting it to happen, to give us reasons to invade? Is that what you are insisting?
I certainly hope not. What I believe happened is this. An overly-large, bloated, and very jealousy Government could not communicate with each other. For many different reasons. The size & scope of this Government makes it difficult. Also, within this Government are buearucrats who really want nothing more than the next rung, office, or parking space. They want the next title; director of this or that. Not talking to other agencies is seen as guarding turf. Keeping other agencies out of the loop, ensures you'll get the credit, maybe the next rung. You following me?
Careerism is not just a politician problem, it is also a bueracratic problem. These people deep within the bowels of Government know darn well that President's & Congress people are generally transient. They know they will outlast them.
And these are THE people we count on to do these things for us, to connect those dots for us. and they are everywhere. In Justice, in Homeland Security, in HUD, in Health & Human Services. They are everywhere.
The 9/11 Commission and the fallout thereafter was a total butt covering enterprise. Not specifically to protect Clinton, or Bush, but to protect those whose job it is to do these things inside the Government. I'm telling you, the bueracracy in Washington D.C. has a life of it's own, just as in Sacramento that bueracracy has a life of it's own, beyond the politicians. Whatever they need to do to ensure their retirements, they will do. Including CYA, and not taking any blame. Think about it.

Ron wrote on Apr 9, 2008 11:01 AM:Nothing makes you happy, does it.. "Unhappy yawn" @8:43 AM?
Capitalism still exists in this country.
No Government run healthcare.
People are making way too much money for your liking. It must be terrible to be you.
As least this time, Petraeus was met with unhappy yawns. Last time he was called Be-tray-us. I'd say that's a positive step. Especially when you consider that even now, as we speak... Obama has again re-formulated his Iraq policy, so now He will have between 60-80,000 troops in Iraq after he takes office. Man! That must really drive you nutty, huh? I tried to tell you, it was all slick marketing & packaging. And you told me I was crazy. Now, was I?
The die has been cast, first by Bill Clinton & regime change, and now by Bush putting the change in motion.
Can't go back. More of our money will be doled out, and hopefully soon, those Iraqi oil wells will start paying for the majority of the rebuilding.
But look at the bright side of this, we have fought them there, so we don't have to fight them here. And without a weapon, a gun... if we did fight them here, how good a chance would you have being unarmed?

To Ray Raino. wrote on Apr 9, 2008 11:07 AM:Drug abuse would drop greatly if we simply ban pharmaceutical companys from advertising directly to the consumer.
It was only since 1989 that big pharma has been allowed to advertise. This isn't a free speech issue. We don't allow tobacco or alcohol the right to advertise where and how they wish. Ban prescription drug advertising and watch our health care costs decline, and our health statistics improve.

Chris wrote on Apr 9, 2008 11:08 AM:This is just great. The members of congress collectivly have 196 million dollars invested in companies that do business with the Pentagon. The person with the most invested is John Kerry who made 2.6 million since 2004. Folk's you wonder why I continually berate the US. Well there is no end to the corruption and moral decadence of our leadership. While we are killing untold thousands on innocent people the people who support this war are making lots of money on it. By the way all this stuff you hear about Shiites attacking Shiites is more about the US deliberatly setting up Shiites against Shiites and Shiites agains Sunnies. The old adage about devide and conquer is still in force but the clueless among us think it is the Iraqis doing all this. Just listen to today's Democracy Now.

I CAN'T TAKE IT NO MORE wrote on Apr 9, 2008 11:26 AM:I CAN'T TAKE IT NO MORE
I CAN'T TAKE IT NO MORE
SICK AND TIRED OF YOUR DIRTY LITTLE WAR
I CAN'T TAKE IT NO MORE

YOU KNOW YOU LIED ABOUT THE CASUALTIES
YOU KNOW YOU LIED ABOUT THE WMD'S
YOU KNOW YOU LIED ABOUT THE DETAINEES
ALL OVER THIS WORLD

STOP TALKIN' 'BOUT STAYIN' THE COURSE
YOU KEEP A BEATIN' THAT OLD DEAD HORSE
YOU KNOW YOU LIED ABOUT HOW WE WENT TO WAR
I CAN'T TAKE IT NO MORE

I BET YOU NEVER SAW THE OL' SCHOOL YARD
I BET YOU NEVER SAW THE NATIONAL GUARD
YOUR DADDY WROTE A CHECK AND THERE YOU ARE
ANOTHER FORTUNATE SON

I CAN'T TAKE IT NO MORE
I CAN'T TAKE IT NO MORE
SICK AND TIRED OF YOUR DIRTY LITTLE WAR
I CAN'T TAKE IT NO MORE

Realist wrote on Apr 9, 2008 11:29 AM:Yesterday I cited an article writen by Oliver North, where he details the statistics that I mentioned. Aside from his political affiliation, he has interviewed troops on the ground as well as officals. P.S. When I made the 7% growth claim, I meant 2008 vs 2007 a.k.a. yearly growth.

OBSERVATION wrote on Apr 9, 2008 11:35 AM:US Drafts Document for Open-Ended Military Presence in Iraq

The Guardian newspaper reports it has obtained a controversial draft agreement between the US and Iraqi governments that would allow for an open-ended US military presence in Iraq. The draft strategic framework is intended to replace the existing UN mandate. It authorizes the US to “conduct military operations in Iraq and to detain individuals when necessary for imperative reasons of security” without time limit. Iraqi critics point out that the agreement contains no limits on numbers of US forces, the weapons they are able to deploy, their legal status or powers over Iraqi citizens, going far beyond long-term US security agreements with other countries.

Things don't "turn out" wrote on Apr 9, 2008 11:35 AM:I am tired of people talking about history as if events "turn out" to be a certain way. They don't "turn out", they just keep happening. The American Revolution won us independence from England. We didn't "turn out" to be a republic...we have been a republic for over 200 years, but this may change. In 200 years we may be a dictatorship. Will we say that the Revolution "turned out" to lead to a dictatorship? Same with Iraq. At some point, it may establish itself as a western-type republic. Will that justify Bush's war? Not to me. Because sometime after that it may go in a whole other direction. No, there are no permanent conditions in politics, in life. So it is propaganda and false to say that we are going into Iraq because we want it to "turn out" to be something better. We have no idea what changes any state is in for. Our job is to do what's right at any particular time. Invading a sovereign nation that was no threat to anyone was 100% wrong, regardless of what the future has in store for it. Same goes for Iran. All the rest is propaganda and we shouldn't fall for it.

Oh, Ron wrote on Apr 9, 2008 11:54 AM:You make SO many assumptions about what Unhappy Yawn believes. All invented by you. Of course s/he is a socialist and all the rest of your nonsense. Of course it's all Bill Clinton's fault. Methinks all this comes out because you know that his/her post was accurate. You're right, the General is not even worth a "betray us" any longer, and hardly anyone is even bothering to listen to the show on the Hill. And what have you got left? "We're fighting them there so we don't have to fight them here.", the most absurd old slogan of the bunch. Your whole post is an act of desperation from someone who knows he was wrong all along but won't dare admit it. It's Clinton. It's socialists. It's anti-gun people. As the person said, this is all worth an unhappy yawn. Let's just do better this time around and not elect a self-styled "conservative" who loves war, shall we?

snerd wrote on Apr 9, 2008 11:59 AM:I have been making copies of the last weeks blogs and am taking them to my church tonight to see what my high school and college age bible class have to say about them. Since it seems most of the bloggers here are pretty old and retired I thought you might be interested in seeing what a younger perspective would be about your blogs.

George W. wrote on Apr 9, 2008 12:11 PM:Mr. Francl, Few people will notice or care what you have written here. Again, you don't let facts get in the way of your drivel. But for anyone who might be fooled, do not rely on this man to deliver accuracy when it come to reporting on what is happening at the Fire Board meetings. Please, please check it out for yourself.

Bernard wrote on Apr 9, 2008 1:45 PM:Deer Springs Fire Board is dysfunctional and unprofessional. True.

Deer Springs Fire Board is not protecting us. They are taking away from us. Our quality of life is being manipulated by people who want to get rid of the Fire Chief. They continue to insult him.

Learned people understood that the actual tax would have been 24% not 33% and the CPI is a given.

Learned people understand the importance of continuing, extending, and improving emergency response protection for our lives and our homes.

The current bad real estate market will change. Did the Board or the loud uneducated small audience think in terms of the economic ramifications of poor fire protection services when or if they are trying to sell a house in the District?

The District is in the highest wildfire danger zone. Fuel (i.e., vegetation that will burn) is everywhere in the District. Fire season is year round in the District and County.

This was the time for the Board to make the DSFPD stronger re medical services (cardiac arrest, etc.) and fire services.

A new fire engine with all the necessaries is $500,000 and more.

The 2003 fires were bad; 2007 extremely bad. Fire wise the District must be better prepared. And the District must be better prepared for cardiac arrest events, etc.

A true leader does not abstain on the only issues that pertain to the Board; which is the health and fire safety of the District. The President abstained. She has her personal goals; Sacramento and then the White House.

The 'nays' (Board Directors) are not concerned about helping the District now or in the next 2-3 years. Or longer, because Stonegate will not be finished for about 10 years. Both have indicated that Stonegate is the most important issue in the District. (NCTimes Dec 10 or Dec 11 07 (commentary) and NCTimes Dec 12 07 or Dec 17 07 (Mensching).)

The Board Agenda (Jan Feb Mar April 2008 meetings, Committee Reports) continues to indicate that 2 Board Directors ('nays') are still overly concerned about Stonegate Merriam Mountains. As of several months ago, Merriam Mountains project was and still is in the sphere of SD County DPLU. If and when the Board receives notice that the District’s portion of the EIR is re-circulated, then the Board will be involved.

When Merriam Mountains is built, it will be much safer (health wise and fire wise) than our current District.

A new Board must apply all their energy helping the current residents. That means the Board must approve increases and not be swayed by the loud uneducated small audience.

A new Board needs to work side by side with the Fire Chief. The District Chief is the fire professional.

The current Board is not open to believing ideas that work such as Rancho Santa Fe 5 shelter-in-place communities. No RSF SIP homes were lost in the 2007 fire because of defensible space, and many other fire resistant measures.

And some take 8 months to realize the information they are seeking is in their Board package at every monthly meeting.

The Board censured the same person 2 times (legally must post and it was posted both times in the NCTimes). A third censure was submitted.

Vote them out.
Put in folks that care about our current District. Folks that are learned or can learn and have the mental abilities to understand the most important issues: Health & Fire Safety for the District now.

OBSERVATION wrote on Apr 9, 2008 2:33 PM:The US and Iraqi governments have vastly overstated the number of foreign fighters in Iraq, and most of them don't come from Saudi Arabia, according to a new report from the Washington-based Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS). According to a piece in The Guardian, this means the US and Iraq " feed the myth" that foreign fighters are the backbone of the insurgency. While the foreign fighters may stoke the insurgency flames, they make up only about 4 to 10 percent of the estimated 30,000 insurgents.

Soldier wrote on Apr 9, 2008 2:38 PM:he theory that sending American troops to Iraq will somehow prevent terrorist actions in the US is pretty shaky at best. The leadership of the terrorist movements can decide to attempt as action anywhere anytime. They are not limited to fighting troops. As a matter of fact they prefer not to. Terror by its very definition is aimed at a civilian population.

* 9 months ago

Source(s):
91 Bravo
US Army DAV

Alf wrote on Apr 9, 2008 2:50 PM:This is my third attempt (aside from my Ben Franklin quote) to respond to "Ron" at 6:44AM. "Ron", either we have Constitutional Rights or we don't, it really is that simple and straight forward. Either we are secure in our persons and our homes from unreasonable (warrantless) search and seizure, each and every one of us, or we have no Constitutional Right as stated in the 4th Amendment. You rationalize violating the Constitutional Rights of American Citizens because "times and technologies" have changed, but there is no excuse, NOT EVEN ONE, for violating the Rights of a Citizen without Due Process. FISA and FISC are for the precise purpose of VIOLATING our Constitutional Rights via a "back door" and even that "back door" has been abused and mis-used most egregiously. I realize that you are beholden to the defense department for part of your business, but do not confuse bold violations of our Constitutional Rights for any sort of patriotism, for it is always wrong to violate the rights of others and it is the antithesis of patriotism. Regards, Alf.

To Julie Quinn wrote on Apr 9, 2008 2:58 PM:"They are akin to a large neighborhood group" ... Please what a crock of crap!!!! The think they are above the law!!! They don't enforce a damn thing except terrorism in our Latino communities. Your letter makes me ill.

John wrote on Apr 9, 2008 3:14 PM:11:26 am post - Fogerty took the words right out of my mouth.

Great point, Alf wrote on Apr 9, 2008 3:16 PM:It is astounding that even as some conservatives (and Ron is one of them) complain about "activist judges", they find it perfectly all right to say that our right to be free of unreasonable searches is flexible because "times have changed". I agree with you completely. The laws of the land are clear, and FISA is an attempt to make them even clearer. The law allows Bush to do as he sees fit in the interest of protecting the country, but only with a warrant, which is, under FISA, quite easy to obtain. But this isn't enough for King George or the Rons, and they often misrepresent the issue as one of tying the King's hands so he can't spy on terrorists, which is complete bunk. He can spy as he sees fit, and no one opposes this...WITH A WARRANT! Simple! Eternal vigilance is needed for our form of government to persist because, at bottom, many American, even though they'd deny it if you put it this bluntly, would be happier with a dictatorship (in their fantasy, of course, the dictator is "their kind of guy" and would just love the kind of "citizens" they are, which the tyrant would).

Thanks, OBSERVATION wrote on Apr 9, 2008 3:27 PM:Thanks for the info from the Guardian. Every now and then, a sliver of truth arrives. Do the Iraqi people want a permanent, open-ended US military presence in Iraq? Of course not (would you?). But this is about what the US government wants, and about oil. And Bush or the next Pres will say, "We're there because Iraq asked us to stay: see this treaty?" And so it goes, the occupation as marketed to the people of the US, and the occupation as it really is, with its own aims and prizes. Our children die for the lies in the marketing campaign while our elite get rich via the real one. Seriously, folks, doesn't this make you deeply ashamed? How could it not?

Apollo wrote on Apr 9, 2008 3:34 PM:Re: Ron (10:48 a.m.)
I'm puzzled as to why Ron suggests any implication that we knew about 9/11 beforehand and were just waiting for it to happen when there is nothing in my post remotely similar to that?????
Ron's earlier post had mentioned post-9/11 complaints about "connecting dots" as a justification for infringing civil liberties.
I merely pointed out that we had all the information we should have needed to connect the dots, but just didn't, so gathering information was not the issue. I did not say they knew in advance and am perplexed as to how Ron could interpret that from my post.
Anyway, as to his comment about interpreting the General Welfare and Commerce Clauses, they are there, they're in the Constitution, so I say just take them at their word.

One more try on China wrote on Apr 9, 2008 3:37 PM:So the olympic torch's passage across the world has become a cat and mouse game. How sad! But it reminds me to ask a question I asked a few days ago: the world is protesting China's treatment of Tibetans, China's role in Darfur, and their human rights record in general. I hear no one, from red state or blue, defending China. Hillary has asked Bush to boycott the opening ceremony of the Olympics to voice American displeasure over these issues. What do you all think about this?

hardtack wrote on Apr 9, 2008 3:51 PM:The “To Ray Raino” person (11:07 AM) is terminally naive if he/she thinks another “ban,” another regulation, another law, is going to fix someone’s drug abuse problem. We have two ways to go on this. (1) “Advertise” personal responsibility (that thing that goes hand in hand with liberty); or (2) ultimately ban advertising for any substance that contains sugar or fat.

Concerned-1 wrote on Apr 9, 2008 3:52 PM:In regards to Gregg Wright's letter about local drivers, I have an idea. Last year I received the first traffic ticket I've gotten in 35 years. My penance was to pay the fine and complete traffic school. I completed the school on-line. As a resident know-it-all, I thought I could breeze through with little reading. After flunking the first test three times, I decided to pay attention. I took several sessions to complete the course and I must say I really learned a lot! In fact, it has made me a better driver. I seriously think everyone should be required to take the course periodically. Or maybe an incentive program would work. The bottom line is, there are a hell of a lot of clueless drivers out there, and something should be done.

Sold Out wrote on Apr 9, 2008 3:57 PM:True, no one believes anything coming out of the White House these days although I did see some good stuff from Obama, Hillary and Biden, as well as a few others pinning down the oh-so-predicable General. So we have to figure out for ourselves what is going on in Iraq 'cause what we are being told is total BS. I think, regardless of Bush/McCain optimism, that it is very likely the Iraqis will band behind Sadr and take back their country. They all know Maliki is a Bush Puppet and they don't like it. Yes, the Administration is trying to push an open-ended agreement with Iraq without going through the Congress, but Maliki and Bush/McCain may be outnumbered by the locals. It could happen that our troops become surrounded by the Sadr militia and a growing number of Iraq supporters and our troops will have to fight their way out of Iraq. I worry for our troops, they are being sold out by the Neocons. It could be a massacre. Our troops know it too... it has been reported that they are overwhelmingly voting for either Obama or Clinton. McCain is dead in the water, thank goodness.

Fed Up wrote on Apr 9, 2008 3:57 PM:Re: Deer Springs Fire Board

Mr. Francl, It seems that you have stated incorrect information again. The vote was 3-0 with one abstaining. The vote was not 2-2.

On China wrote on Apr 9, 2008 4:00 PM:I don't support China and I won't be watching the Olympic Games. So sorry we owe them money but that wasn't my fault. None of my presidential picks has won since I came of voting age in 1970. Yes, I am bitter about it.

To Concerned-1 wrote on Apr 9, 2008 4:04 PM:Good post. Many insurance companies offer reduction in rates if you complete a Safe Driver Course and they also have Senior Driver Courses that will save you some money. Students can get discounts if they have a good grade point average and complete Safe Driver Courses. People around here drive like crap and I used to think Los Angeles was bad.

Concerned-1 wrote on Apr 9, 2008 4:05 PM:Ray Raino makes some good points. I remember hearing some Libertarian guy ramble on about how we should just legalize all drugs. At first I thought he was nuts, but the more he stated his case, the more sense he made. He asked if Heroin was legal would you become a junkie? The answer for me was easy. No way. The dangers of most drugs far out weigh the pleasure for me, and I think for most rational people. And there in lies the rub. We don't live in a rational world. There are too many irrational people who can't seem to think for themselves. We have become too dumbed down to apply common sense in governing our lives.

Thanks, concerned-1 wrote on Apr 9, 2008 4:23 PM:Good post on driving school. We demand that doctors, dentists, psychologists, etc refresh their ongoing education regularly throughout their careers, why not drivers? I know, some will say, "What! More answering to the government! Never!" But, like the practice of medicine, driving is a privilege, not a right. A refresher every 5-10 years would be useful. Or, as you suggest, perhaps insurance discounts for people who choose to do so.

Drugs and behavior wrote on Apr 9, 2008 4:38 PM:I agree with hardtack and am libertarian when it comes to drugs. Drug-taking is an individual decision. Something logically should be against a law when it harms others, so any behavior that anyone does while under the influence that harms others should be a crime. But the drug-taking was not the crime, the behavior was. I wish the law for DUI was currently much more punitive than it is now for driving under the influence in a way that damages others. The bottom line should always be harming society. That's why sugar and fats should not be banned, nor tobacco, nor heroin. All these things can be used safely. But if anything is used and others are harmed, then there should be a stiff penalty.

Karl wrote on Apr 9, 2008 4:42 PM:"snerd @ 11:59 AM:" Great idea snerd, I'm looking forward to the response. My son and I have come full circle. He is 26 and I'm 54, guess who learns from who now days?

jvc wrote on Apr 9, 2008 4:46 PM:To, I cannot take it anymore:
great poem! Thank you!

Second try for a follow-up question for Realist wrote on Apr 9, 2008 4:47 PM:Thanks for letting us know your source of info about Iraq. And for sharing that you admirably check out a variety of sources. So, a follow-up question: Ollie North is known to be a certain kind of pro-military guy, one who has been willing to break laws in the service of an ideology he considered "patriotic". How did you decide that among all those reporting on how Iraq is doing, you'd believe and share specifically North's views? He's certainly not the only one talking to our troops. Our troops certainly have no knowledge of what percent of Iraq is controlled by Iraqis, or of how oil production is, or of how their economic growth is doing. So: why did you choose North's account over all the others?

Karl wrote on Apr 9, 2008 4:52 PM:"One more try on China @ 3:37 PM:" I really believe that people have the right to protest anything but in MHO disrupting the Olympics sucks. With all the turmoil, human rights violations, wars and the rest of the b(...) going on in our world the Olympics should provide a nice respite or timeout. I know some will say I'm a dreamer but the thought of Athletes from all nations competing in games and shaking hands and hugging just seems like a good thing to me no matter where the games are held.

Chris to Realist wrote on Apr 9, 2008 4:53 PM:You mean the same Oliver North that stood up and lied to congress about how he aided our sorry excuse for a president (Ronald Reagan) in the illegal aid to the terrorist in Nicaragua. 7% growth between 2007 nd 2008. What a joke.

Karl wrote on Apr 9, 2008 5:02 PM:I remember when posters here attacked positions. More and more I see posters attacking posters. I like to go back a couple of weeks and check my posts to see if I was typing (actually hunting and pecking) with my brain (whats left of it) or with my emotions of the moment. I suggest some of you try it, you know who you are.

George W. wrote on Apr 9, 2008 5:22 PM:Bernard, You continue to spew the same old scare tactics and inaccurate information. You are not to be trusted. Again, you exalt how superior, knowledgeable and "learned" you are! Community members of the Deer Springs Fire District have come alive, & are finally holding the board accountable for their actions. There will be no more Fire Stations built that cost a million dollars more than necessary. The Director responsible for that boondoggle is thankfully gone. It would benefit your health and your daily outlook to give up and recognize that you have lost. How can Merriam Mountains be a safer community when it cannot be evacuated in a condition 1 fire scenario? You have definitely lost it-- now go rehabilitate. Anyone who would like to know what is really going on, needs to attend the meetings.

Mike wrote on Apr 9, 2008 5:27 PM:Regarding Karl's post at 4:52 PM, I agree, leave politics out of it.

Jack_D wrote on Apr 9, 2008 5:50 PM:Great letter by Ray Raino. We need to end the war on drugs ASAP. It is far more wasteful and destructive than the Iraq war.

Word from the wise wrote on Apr 9, 2008 5:53 PM:Hey Julie I think the Minutemen Klan resemble a wild eyed group that Tom Metzger got all riled up. I think the Minutemen Klan better remember that Old Tom lost everything when he was held responsible for the death of an immigrant.

Shape shifter wrote on Apr 9, 2008 5:57 PM:Speaking of facts, remember that at the meeting, Two board members were against the fee increase from the beginning and before. One board member argued for the full increase, but voted with the two against it when it became clear that at best there would be a 2-2 split, which also would have also denied the tax increase. The president took a safe non-committal position. The board is becoming ever more dysfunctional. Saving dollars, not lives! Phooey.

Shop to You Drop wrote on Apr 9, 2008 5:59 PM:Free Money: Just think. if those oil wells kick in an pay for this war, GWB could send out even more money to us in order to go shopping.

Focal Point wrote on Apr 9, 2008 6:02 PM:On China[-] wrote on Apr 9, 2008 4:00 PM:
Just my two cents. I have neither cared about nor watched the Olympic games since the demise of our nemesis, the Soviet Union.

To Jack D and Friends wrote on Apr 9, 2008 6:06 PM:The War on Drugs will be over when everyone stops lock-step voting in the Old Guard. A man should have the freedom to choose the way he wants to live and die. As has been said, if and when it harms another then THAT action should be punishable, not personal consumption or personal actions that affect only the self.

Spewing wrote on Apr 9, 2008 6:11 PM:George W.: Who has lost? I hear that the leaders of your anti-Stonegate mob have moved out-of-state. Their legions of pro-bono lawyers have never marched on the County. By all means, don't give up if your state of well-being depends on your crusade. Who has lost?

Ms M wrote on Apr 9, 2008 6:28 PM:Boycott the olympics...did China just now have problems. China has ALWAYS had problems. Year after year we have a laundry list of of the BAD things China has done. Why the protest now?They should have never been selected to host the olympics. Unless it involves the safety of our athletes, who have prepared for this for years, then we should stop this madness. The best protest would have been to deny China the right to host the olympics - now that would have sent a message!

to GW 12:11 pm wrote on Apr 9, 2008 6:39 PM:This is all true. Not scare tactics. Just fire history in our District and County.

True Fact: Mr. Francl is 100% correct when he writes The Board is dysfunctional.

True Fact: The Deer Springs Fire Protection Board is a sham in the eyes of the professional Fire Chiefs serving other communities.

True Fact: The professional Fire Chiefs serving other communities also know that the Deer Springs Fire Board is dysfunctional.

True Fact: The current Board is going backwards instead of forward.

True Fact: Suggestions such as 2 firefighters per engine is going backwards. At this time we have 3 firefighters per engine thanks to the Asaro Fire Board.

The District communities need the protection we have now (2008) or more protection. Not less.

The current Fire Board must remember the magnitude of the many fires at the same time in Oct. 2003 and Oct. 2007. And act accordingly.

George W. wrote on Apr 9, 2008 6:41 PM:Spewing, It is you, you and your dishonest, left wing, hypocritical associates who care not a wit about loss of life or about responsibly spending tax payer money. Your situation is an excellent example of what goes around, comes around. Amazing how that works.

Cheers wrote on Apr 9, 2008 6:58 PM:Francl for president!

Spewing wrote on Apr 9, 2008 7:13 PM:I believe she's got it. A director who calls any who dare disagree with him dishonest, left wing, hypocritical, and uncaring. Now that's what the Deer Springs Fire Board needs!

to Karl re: China wrote on Apr 9, 2008 7:18 PM:I have the same sentimentality about the olympics and love the games. That's why the suggestion was simply for Bush to personally boycott only the opening ceremony. This would not affect the games at all, which would be what they would've been. It only makes a moral statement of disapproval, or, put another way, refuses to tacitly approve of China. I'm for that. Then let the games go on. In fact, let Bush attend whatever parts of the games he wishes.

to GW 5:22 PM wrote on Apr 9, 2008 7:35 PM:Most likely MMtns. will be built. Hopefully with less than 2700 homes. It would be nice if County Sups follow the General Plan which has a number that is realistic and much lower.

GW writes QUOTE "How can Merriam Mountains be a safer community [then the Deer Springs Fire District communities] when it cannot be evacuated in a condition 1 fire scenario?" END QUOTE

Merriam Mountains will have lots of concrete (streets and many driveways), will have homes built with fire resistant materials, will have concrete block walls for protection, as well as fire resistant plantings. And much more protection. There will be rules that all residents must follow. Much like the rules at Rancho Santa Fe 5 SIP communities.

Therefore MMtns. will no longer be a condition 1 fire scenario. This info is from many Fire Chiefs and other fire-related professionals that study fires including the Federal Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory Missoula MT and the Rocky Mountain Center (RMC) Fort Collins CO, and universities in almost every US state.

The County Sups & DPLU & developers are going to continue building. They will be using SIP as much as they can because they can build more dwelling units (du) that way. And expect developers will be able to build on difficult land (rocky mountains) with SIP. Each du means taxes; money for the county treasure chests.

GW writes: QUOTE:"You have definitely lost it -- now go rehabilitate."END QUOTE.

I have lost nothing. Believe you are very angry. Get better soon.

Mike wrote on Apr 9, 2008 8:11 PM:By way of protesting the Olypics in China, we should replace all of our competent athletes with Bush's cronies.

Pedestrian to Concerned-1 wrote on Apr 10, 2008 3:51 AM:Walking is a valid form of transportation, especially in our climate for many reasons. We should be given the same respect as any other person going from point A to point B. I don't want my headstone to read 'she always obeyed the laws and her greasespot in the intersection captured by the red light camera proves it.'

Louis wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:39 AM:Bernard, Francl, Spewing,
There is no such thing as a fireproof home. Fire is unpredictable and almost impossible to contain when propelled by gale-force and/or hurricane-force winds (as happens in San Diego whth the Santa Anas,)Evacuation is the only dependable way of saving human lives. It has proven effective with minimal loss of life in the 2007 fires where over 500,000 were evacuated in San Diego County, with very few deaths occurring. To propose SIP (Shelter in Place) is to ignore what works and put peoples' lives at extreme risk just for the sake of building dense developments in the Wild Urban Interfact. (Stonegate/Merriam Mtns.) Smoke is not addressed in terms of the concentration and sensitivity of those exposed. At the point of the fire, the concentration will be high. It is known that high concentrations of smoke with children and infants exposed can and does result in death. The American Lung Assiciation wrote that it would be very wrong to expose anyone whose respiratory system is compromised to remain in the midst of a wildland fire.
The County's own fire marshal warns against the use of SIP at Stonegate. To compare the Stonegate project to Rancho Santa Fe is like comparing an apple to an orange. San Diego County adoped guidelines entitled "Business Practices Reengineering Part ll." Buried in this report is the County's new wildfire protection guidelines that accept the use of SIP as the primary fire protection for developments where secondary access is not unavailable. This is a first in the United States. No other county anywhere has adopted such controversial guidelines. San Diego County is now stating that developers can build anywhere, including areas lacking evacuation. Filling the tax coffers and county treasure chest at the cost of human life is unconscionable. If the Board does not continue to oppose Stonegate's fire protection plan of no evacuation, and the worst scenario is realized, there will be gross class action suits against the Board and individuals on the Board just as there are pending suits for the 2003 fires.

to Louis wrote on Apr 10, 2008 4:08 PM:You have posted many errors and false incorrect information. (4-10-08 7:39 AM)

Your last sentence is incorrect. You write that the Deer Springs Fire Protection District Board has pending suits from the 2003 fires. Not true.

SIP works; proven by the 2007 wildfires. Zero homes burned; no homes were destroyed in the 5 Rancho Santa Fe SIP communities. RSF 4-S Ranch is much like Merriam Mountains. The comparison is like a washington apple to a gayla apple. FYI, some people stayed in their SIP homes.

The reality of Merriam Mountains: the residents will be much more safe fire wise and health wise than the current Deer Springs District.

Merriam Mountains will be SIP-like. Soon all major developments will be SIP or SIP-like.

Put your energy into physically helping your District friends: make defensible space, clean out rain gutters, plant hygiene (get rid of all the deadwood), etc. Lots of fire wise improvements to do that do not cost that much money. Be a good girl or good guy doing something positive for the current Deer Spring communities.

Evacuation is not always a good way unless there are several hours of warning and traffic is moving. In 2007 many sat in their vehicles in non-moving traffic for hours. That is what happens when everyone gets the evacuation message at the same time. The fire can easily turn direction, turn on to those sitting (going no where) in their vehicles. Think about that.

The American Lung Association is just an association; it is not a medical entity.
What ALA wrote, was not written by a medical physician. The writer was not a doctor; i.e., did not go to medical school.

The Board cannot get involved in land development. The DPLU Fire Chiefs can make decisions without the Board's permission.

2 Board members believe Merriam Mountains is the most important Board issue. The real issues are health and fire safety for the current District communities now. (see NCTimes Dec.2007 by Mensching.)

The Board is Dysfunctional.

To Louis Responder wrote on Apr 10, 2008 9:39 PM: You have convinced me! Merriam Mtns. will be a great place to live! And it will fire safe to boot! Lead by example! YOU be the first to take residence and demonstrate defending your home. As the fire travels from the base of the mountain to your house in less than fifteen minutes, be ready! Oh! Fire and smoke getting a little warm and scary? Watch that radiant energy! Can't find your hose? Can't budge your furniture away from the windows? Did the neighbor leave their home vulnerable? Is it now obvious that you must leave? Too bad! The only road out is jammed with vehicles, people in panic and fire equipment. Chaos! Time is running out! The smoke is thick! You can't see or breathe! There is no escape for you! Be comforted and stay focused on what is important! The County coffers are full and YOU helped! Your relatives can sue the County/Developer/Fire District for allowing a development in the most fire- dangerous area in California, if not the United States. The developer, County and YOU knew that evacuation was not an option. The facts are documented and the County was informed. Your lucky relatives will be rich! YOU are a hero!

to Louis 4-10-08 9:39pm wrote on Apr 11, 2008 12:45 AM:Same story as before.

At this time, Merriam Mountains fuel may cause a large wildfire. However when it is built (homes and commercial buildings), the fire scenario changes dramatically because there will be much less fuel (vegetation for the fire) and tons of concrete and many other fire-resistant attributes.

If Merriam Mountains is built it will be much safer both health wise and fire wise than the current Deer Springs communities. It will probably be a SIP or SIP-like community.

Currently, now, Deer Springs District communities are in much danger fire wise and health wise because fuel is everywhere and because people like you created a dysfunctional Fire Board.

You need to physically help yourself, your friends and neighbors create defensible space, clear gutters, etc. Do something to help the District communities now.

From the start, you all did not give a hoot about the current District residents.

You are flat earth people.

The Deer Springs Fire Board is Dysfunctional.