LETTERS: NCT, Oct. 31, 2008
By Readers of the North County Times | ∞
Math wrong, but concept still correct
Bernard Pollack is correct (Letters, Oct. 23) about my rushed, by-hand math on my bailout Main Street idea (I'll bet the nuns who kept yelling at me to pay attention during arithmetic are chortling in their habits now!).
But the concept of stimulating the economy by enriching the taxpayers with taxpayer money –– instead of the fat cats who are behind the whole mess –– is a viable one.
Certainly, the amount of each check and the number of Americans receiving them must be pared down. Even as we write, the president and Congress are now planning ways to stimulate the economy by sending us checks! Too bad that wasn't their starting point, not their endgame. Oh, and next time, Bernard, I promise to use a calculator.
Dave Concannon
Escondido
We can't afford 'conservative' Republicans
Who were the big spenders? The oxymoron "conservative" Republicans. Even though the Mideast had thrown President Carter a curve, over which he had no control... he managed to leave office with the national debt under $1 trillion. Here are the figures from Google: Republican Ronald Reagan faced a debt of $930 billion. When Republican George Bush left office in 1993, the debt stood at $4 trillion $100 billion. In 12 years, the debt had risen $3 trillion $170 billion. So Democrat Bill Clinton was faced with four times as much debt as Reagan.
Under Clinton, and even with the Kosovo War (no American lives lost!) in eight years, the debt rose to $5 trillion $700 billion. In spite of the fact that Bill Clinton started with the inherited enormous interest every year on the previous debt, he only increased the debt by $1 trillion $600 billion and left office with an annual surplus! Then Republican George Dubya faced the national debt. ... I've read that Vice President Cheney advised Dubya not to worry about the national debt. You can't tell that to a 50-year-old teenager!
By the time Bush 43 leaves office, the debt will be over $10 trillion. Even considering the gross domestic product, the numbers are better under Democrats. We simply cannot afford another "conservative" Republican.
Myrl MacKenzie
Escondido
Leibham listens to your concerns
We have an opportunity to really make a difference in our district by voting sensibly for a very dedicated man, Nick Leibham. He listens to you regarding your concerns. Whenever I have had a question that needed a congressman's reply, I have called Bilbray's office and never received a reply.
I am a former Republican who saw more fortitude, intelligence and honesty with the Democrat Nick Leibham. He has my vote. Contact him at www.picknick08.com.
Sarah Hagaman
Encinitas
Brust deserves your support
I have had the pleasure of being associated with Dr. Donald Brust for the past 38 years, both as a Rotarian and client of his veterinary practice. He has demonstrated his leadership qualities and his "get it done" attitude in every venture that he has undertaken. He has the distinct advantage of getting to the core of the problem rapidly, analyzing it and arriving at a logical solution. I have personally witnessed these character traits over the past 38 years.
The best references that one can have are from one's peers. During these years, I have met many of his fellow veterinarians and have yet to meet one who did not hold Dr. Brust in high esteem.
During those years, I have seen Don give unselfishly of his time and energy for the betterment of community and mankind. It is with great pride that I can recommend Dr. Brust be given your total support in the upcoming election for the Palomar Pomerado Health District.
James Futcher
Menifee
Barracks bombing in Beirut ignored
Thursday was Oct. 23. It was 25 years ago, at approximately 6:20 a.m. on Oct 23, 1983, that 241 Marines, sailors and soldiers were killed and hundreds of others were wounded or disabled. This was the result of a suicide truck laden with explosives, carrying the equivalent of 20,000 pounds of TNT, that detonated on the ground floor of BLT 1/8 headquarters barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. This was the largest non-nuclear explosion of its time.
Other servicemen from 1982-1984 perished from sniper fire and other atrocities. Others died years later, or are permanently disabled as the result of their wounds. This makes a total of 270 Marines, sailors and soldiers who died during a peacekeeping mission.
I believe the media owe the friends and families of these brave Marines, sailors, and soldiers an apology for not writing one single piece on this. This was a very sad day for many of us. Semper fi.
Scott Hill
Carlsbad
A law-abiding helper supports checkpoints
I first want to say that I am a supporter (sadly, a silent one) of the American Civil Liberties Union in most of its actions; however, I do take exception to Kevin Keenan's statement in the North County Times regarding the ACLU's perception that checkpoints create a "checkpoint society." ("Activists call checkpoints unfair," Oct. 23).
Having been a participant (Oceanside police volunteer), I strongly favor checkpoints and the citing of drivers who have not, will not, or can not drive legally. (The removal of drunks, felons and unsafe vehicles is also a positive action.)
For Mr. Keenan's information, checkpoints on Highway 101, Oceanside Boulevard, Mission Avenue or North River Road are not selected to apprehend only Latinos. The "rich man, poor man, beggarman, thief, doctor, lawyer, merchant chief" are also subjected to such stops.
Although I have not spoken to the Ray Perez who was pictured with the article, I can assure Mr. Keenan that he, as a Latino, is in favor of removing anyone, regardless of their ethnicity, as I am. In fact, he is the first to volunteer his time and talents in helping maintain a law-abiding community.
Harry Titus
Oceanside
NCT stories disrespectful of the law
Who can describe immigrant rights accurately? Certainly not North County Times writer Edward Sifuentes ("Activists call checkpoints unfair," Oct. 23). His continuing saga of demeaning the city police for enforcing the law, arresting unlicensed drivers and impounding vehicles that should not be on the road is totally disrespectful of the law.
He seems to defend the ACLU, with their effort to distort the law and condemn any form of enforcing the Border Patrol that is required by law to intercept illegal entry to this country. Who among us does not see the impact of the costs we all must pay to support the freeloading of all these illegal and almost totally unlicensed people who usually cannot speak or read our language? The people he quotes need interpreters to respond to questions by police and feel discriminated against because they are arrested. ... How can this paper continue to run the lopsided stories as supplied by their staff writer?
As subscribers, we deserve honest reporting in news. Editorials, as opinion, are entirely different from a news story that depicts our police departments making false arrests. I say keep it up, as the federal government really needs help from police.
Bob Limpus
Fallbrook
Checkpoint article left reader appalled
I was appalled to read the article about traffic checkpoints ("Activists call checkpoints unfair," Oct. 23). Particularly, the comments by Bill Flores, a retired 29-year veteran law enforcement official, who should be fully aware that driving in California is a privilege, not a right. Has Mr. Flores forgotten that police officers take an oath to enforce the law?
Several paragraphs focus on unfair ticketing of individuals who are ineligible under state law to get driver's licenses because they are illegal immigrants. He goes on to say, "There are other ways to enforce the law"; however, he doesn't describe other ways.
I'm sure that Mr. Flores knows that one of the most dangerous duties performed by officers is routine traffic stops. Officers never know what they are encountering during these stops. In 2005, for example, of the 55 officers nationally who were feloniously killed on duty, 15 were killed in traffic-related cases. I don't remember any officers being killed while participating with a team of officers conducting checkpoints for traffic violators.
After reading your biased article, I had to look in the mirror to see whether my bubble was still in the middle.
Orv Hale
Escondido
Our republic was usurped a century ago
The Constitution for the United States clearly provides that the national government shall provide the several states and the people thereof with a republic as the form of government. America's Founding Fathers agreed that democracy is the vilest form of governance.
The 16th Amendment to the Constitution (graduated income tax placed directly on the people) is a plank of the "Communist Manifesto" and expressly forbidden by the Constitution. It was fraudulently declared law and never lawfully enacted by the states.
When the national government violates the Constitution, to what court of law could we have recourse? The federal courts? I jest! That would be much like fighting City Hall a thousand times over. The Supremes seem to consider these legal questions. They have since always hidden under their desks and ruled as entrusted by their masters. Our republic was usurped over a century ago. The mob rules!
Jack Fulton
Escondido
Treat failed CEOs like criminals they are
When will we discover the moral courage to treat failed CEOs as the criminals they are –– more reprehensible than gangbangers, armed robbers and Mafia dons? Would not extortion and racketeering by any other name smell so sweet?
Golden parachute? How about a one-bedroom apartment over a bowling alley in a bad neighborhood? How about Madame dropping out of the garden club circuit because she needs to work part time at the public library? How about Junior giving up his free ride to Stanford because he must work full time at Sears and squeeze in a few night classes at the local community college? How about forfeited pensions and stock options and a fire sale of public and hidden assets? How about 15 to 20 at a dangerous federal penitentiary while learning a new definition of "serving at the pleasure"?
Are we the people ready to insist upon condign punishment, upon bringing to Earth these charging water buffaloes of pathological greed and moral corruption (along with their government watchdogs) –– or should we continue sponsoring the ravaging buccaneers in Armani suits?
Don James
Escondido
Measure economy by human GDP
In these times, with wages and home values declining, should our economy#,s health be measured primarily by growth? Why not measure it by human GDP? Are child and infant mortality rates increasing or decreasing? Is the poverty rate increasing or decreasing? What about the underinsured and underemployed? To what extent do people have a voice regarding the decisions that affect them?
By these standards, Americans#, quality of life was decreasing well before our current recession. I do not desire a growing economy where human value is secondary to material production and consumption. We need a society where people do not merely work for the economy, but the economy works for people. Spending beyond one#,s means, i.e., being a good consumer, is not a social good. Indeed, our crisis has demonstrated this truth.
Now we have an opportunity to reassess our priorities and ask ourselves, how much is really enough? In such times, it is more important than ever to contribute our time, treasure and talents to local community organizations that work to improve our human GDP and help us not lapse into former self-serving attitudes. As ancient wisdom tells us, let#,s live more simply, so that others may simply live.
The Rev. Timothy Murphy
Pilgrim United Church of Christ
Oceanside
What we need is a little bit of socialism
The Dow is plunging, and financial experts aren't sure what to tell people during market turmoil. But those of us with a little knowledge of history know exactly what is happening. Unregulated capitalism is happening, and the cure is a little bit of socialism. Believe it.
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson made sure he and his friends got their government bailout to the tune of $700 billion. Now it's our turn. I want the rules back, first of all. I'm talking about those rules passed by FDR the last time the financial "experts" exercised total freedom. They've thrown those rules out piece by piece since then, culminating in 1999 with the bipartisan repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act.
Next, I want free public health care, free public education through college and the guarantee of a job with a living wage. We almost got those back in the 1930s, and now their time has come again. ... I believe we are about to repeat Depression history, and the only blocks in the way are the FDR-established Social Security and his government-backed guarantee of your bank deposit. ...
There is never any need to fear socialism in a capitalist country. It's just a rein on the slavering mouth of greed.
Dolores Welty
Encinitas
Success of food bank due to leadership
I would like to extend my personal thanks and appreciation to all concerned community residents for their overwhelming support and encouragement since my surprise termination ("North County Food Bank's director no longer there," Oct. 18). ...
It took three years to transition North County Food Bank into a community success story. It was the unpretentious personal involvement and welcoming environment that made the difference. Our strategy to move forward was a combined team effort resonating from the leadership at the food bank and our committed volunteers. ...
From annual 30 percent-plus growth in food donations and distributions, to creative community food distribution programs, to working with students on high school senior projects, each day was a blessing for all who participated and witnessed the phenomenal positive interactions among staff, volunteers, social service agencies and various other supportive components.
Being fortunate enough to develop this kind of harmonious work environment while strategically extending services to the community gave everyone a great sense of accomplishment. It meant a great deal to me and even more so to others. My thanks to all for caring enough to express themselves.
Mike Doody
Vista
We need more comics these days
The sign of the times is when the local newspaper sees nothing funny and shortchanges its comics section. Now, I understand cropping the stock market page and doing away with the San Diego local company stock report. There is truly nothing funny about that.
But to shrink the Sunday comics to where some of them can only be viewed through a magnifying glass, and then totally eradicating others like poor "Prince Valiant," who has only tried to save his kingdom, shame, shame!
LaGuardia, mayor of New York during the Depression, used to read the comics once a week to the children on the radio because their parents couldn't afford a paper. He saw the need for something funny in such a time. Indeed, we need more comics, not less. Have you no vision? For shame, North County Times! For shame!
Jan Simon
Oceanside
Protect your pets on Halloween
Here comes Halloween. Halloween and the Fourth of July are dangerous times for your pets. Scary costumes, masks and make-up can cause your pets to panic and seek an escape. Often doors and gates are left open by trick-or-treaters, and away goes Fido or Kitty.
Keep pets safe by putting them in a quiet section of your home or apartment, away from all the squeals and excitement. Candy is dandy, but chocolate is toxic to dogs. Also, those candles inside carved pumpkins look so pretty; however, that curious kitty could get too close and not only singe its whiskers, but could cause a fire.
Have a safe, happy Halloween, and remember to also keep a special watch on your black or white cat. Unfortunately, there are members of cults who prey on innocent animals. Some of their rituals are quite disgusting.
Dress up, have fun, happy haunting, but please protect your best friends. They are counting on you.
Shirley Cameron
Oceanside
Majority tyrannizes the minority
"Life, liberty and abortion on demand," wrote Richard Kirk, who made no mention of "pursuit of happiness" as written by Thomas Jefferson in one of the most profound phrases in our Declaration of Independence, naming the three "inalienable rights" of man ("Prop. 8: Arguing the obvious," Oct. 21).
Kirk's substitution of "abortion on demand" is confounding. Let me correct Mr. Kirk: Gays much prefer Thomas Jefferson's version, as they have far more interest in pursuing happiness and love in marriage than freedom to have an abortion.
Sometimes Kirk's mental processes are unfathomable. Kirk is arrogantly dismissive of same-gender marriage because he does not see marriage as a spiritual bonding of two individuals, regardless of gender, who want to form a loving union with each other. It is his conviction that a simple majority (50 percent plus one) has the right to dictate who cannot get married, based upon its religious dogma.
Kirk advocates for that "plus one" having the authority to deprive gays and lesbians of the pursuit of happiness. Yet he, like other religious zealots, decries the simple majority decision of the California Supreme Court that equal treatment under the law allows gays the right to marry like everyone else. The right is inalienable.
John-Erik Nilsson
Vista
Prop. 8 affects future generations
First, I would like to say that I am in no way prejudiced against homosexual couples. I believe that they have their freedom to choose their life. However, there undeniably is a difference between a homosexual and a heterosexual couple, and it's OK for their relationships to be known by a different name.
Some people say that Proposition 8 takes away homosexuals' rights; however, domestic partnerships already have all the same rights as married couples. Prop. 8 would only mean a change in title –– a change that would take away many rights for other citizens if all couples were to share this title: Parents putting children up for adoptions couldn't specify what kind of couples their children would grow up with. Religions could suffer lawsuits because their beliefs could suddenly be deemed "prejudice." And parents who teach their children about traditional marriage could be prosecuted for hate speech. This is taking away freedom of speech and religion from millions of people in California.
Please, protect these rights. I am only 15 years old and cannot personally vote for this proposition, but it greatly affects my future and California's future generations. I strongly encourage you to vote yes on Prop. 8.
Siera Willes
student,
Carlsbad High School
Marriage is not a right
Voting "no" on Proposition 8 should be considered carefully. The vast majority of Americans are not homosexuals, but many ... say "it is their right" (Letters, Helen Lindner, Sept. 17). These misled Americans do not understand that homosexuality and a marriage of those so inclined is not a right!
Please read the Declaration of Independence carefully if you wish to live within our constitutional form of a democratic republic. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights." "Rights," as our founders intended them, meant "According to the will of God and his law." Read it again, more carefully! Those rights come from the Creator that our founders recognized and on whose laws we were founded (making us a republic), not some man-instituted law that would lead us away from a true republic and into the decline of a simple democracy, where we would vote for whomever gives us what we want.
Homosexuality is a wedge into the decline of what Benjamin Franklin feared; we are "a republic, madam, if you can keep it." ...
Irvin Forbing
Escondido
Many good candidates for O'side council
Most people are aware that Jack Feller is running for re-election to Oceanside City Council. Those who are paying attention are also aware of his running feud with Oceanside firefighters. The feud may be with the union, and not the firefighters per se. However, the union is the firefighters, so we don't need to kid ourselves about who is in the feud.
We do not need four more years of these problems. Even if everything Jack Feller says is true, why should we re-elect someone who just can't seem to get along when everyone else can?
There are many other good candidates for City Council, like Chuck Lowery, who do not have the personality problems and the baggage that Jack Feller has accumulated and put on display for all to see.
Robert Markley
Oceanside
Voters have a clear choice for Vista schools
As a former Vista Unified Trustee, I strongly recommend Elizabeth Jaka and Angela Chunka for Vista Unified School District Board. I have known both for many years. They are extremely knowledgeable, compassionate individuals determined to educate all students to their capacity instead of funding and focusing on a select few.
They show consistent respect for parents, teachers and those who may disagree with them. They are fiscal conservatives who will finally get the taxpayer-mandated new high school opened. They have served on many VUSD district-parent committees. They will use that experience and common sense in selecting academic programs. They have already demonstrated they are willing to personally invest long hours on your children's behalf.
Mr. Guffanti has been very consistent over his years on the school board that he is there for his own political agendas (like his recent demand that the board endorse Prop. 8). He seems suspicious of parents and teachers (like his recent refusal to attend a PTA forum).
You, the voter, have a clear choice: two informed and dedicated women, Mrs. Jaka and Mrs/ Chunka, or a self-serving Mr. Guffanti. Vote for Elizabeth Jaka and Angela Chunka for your children's sake!
Valerie Wade
Vista
Support Fallbrook with a vote for Gebhart
We are writing this letter in support of Donna Gebhart as a candidate for the Fallbrook Planning Group. We know that she will do a great job. She has been dedicated to this community for years, and we have personally witnessed her volunteering many hours to further projects for the community.
She has spent many hours and personal donations to support the Santa Margarita Trails. She is dedicated to preserving our great country community.
We have lived in Fallbrook since 1979; Donna works to keep our community the great place that we have come to enjoy. Please support her and our community with a vote for Donna Gebhart.
Scott and Traci
Garmon
Fallbrook
We need new faces on hospital board
In response to the Oct. 20 Community Forum saying that new faces are needed on the Palomar Pomerado Health Board ("New faces needed on PPH board"): That may be true. However, one new face we do not need is Lee Thibadeau.
Lee was mayor of San Marcos. ... Thibadeau's claim to fame in San Marcos was the huge recycling plant boondoggle and the monumental landfall dump that was touted as being good for San Marcos. ... After it was built, and the county was made aware of the huge cost of this operation ... the plant was closed after only six months. The county then voted to close the landfill. That ended Thibadeau's hopes of not only having the recycling plant in that valley, but of opening a second landfill on the north side of Questhaven Road.
Thibadeau decided to run for supervisor in 1994, instead of re-election for mayor. He lost and tried twice more between 1996 and 2002 to get back on the San Marcos City Council. He was defeated both times. In 2002, he ran again. ... He was elected, but when he ran again for re-election in 2006, he was thrown out.
Now he wants to be on the hospital board. ... Yes, we may need new faces on the PPH board, but we do not need a member who has grandiose ideas of how to spend the taxpayer's money. ...
Christine Carrick
San Marcos
State doesn't sanctify marriage
Proposition 8 cannot protect the sanctity of marriage. "Sanctity" is defined as the character of being sacred. The moment I met Steven, our union was sanctified. We eagerly legalized it with the contract of marriage. But, while our minister's words were powerful, neither he nor the state could sanctify our union. That was done between Steven and me and God. That's the only way it can be done.
That sanctity isn't threatened when loving same-sex partners enter into a state contract. It's not even threatened by the thousands of heterosexual couples who break their vows, divorce, abuse one another or abandon their children, although research affirms the institution of marriage and our entire society are deeply harmed by them, and Jesus repeatedly admonished against such behavior.
Yet Christ never said a word about homosexuality (and said much about judging). We accept the one because we understand extenuating circumstances, yet condemn the other #* despite Jesus' teachings. If you must haul up Old Testament rules to support your discomfort, then don't forget to sell your daughter into slavery and never shave. But if you listen to Jesus or honor God, you can't use sanctity #* the state never had it to lose.ˇ
Susan Traugh
Vista
We need balance in Escondido
Let's briefly examine the events in Escondido over the last few years. The city experienced a fiasco with the council's ill-fated attempt to ban housing rentals to illegal immigrants. In addition, the council rejected a request by the Salvation Army to open an emergency winter shelter (at no cost to the city), and is now planning to restrict on-street parking for a majority of Escondido's residents.
For the last eight years, council members have continually expressed the need to increase the median income in Escondido. On Aug. 29, a North County Times article reported that "Escondido's median income dropped from $51,595 in 2006 to $49,424 in 2007" ("Median income drops after years of increases").
As voters, we can continue the current direction of the city by re-electing the incumbents who are supported by the Chamber of Commerce and the good ol' boy network, or we can put some balance on the council by electing a person whom I believe will represent the interests of the residents of Escondido. That person would be Olga Diaz!
Please vote on Nov. 4 and give serious consideration to Ms. Diaz. As residents, we need balance on the council.
Darol Caster
chairman,
Escondido Planning Commission
Wood lives up to his promises
I wanted to take a moment to let you know why I have chosen to support Mayor Jim Wood in the Oceanside mayoral election on Nov. 4. First, Mayor Wood has been a supporter of continuing to improve public safety here in Oceanside. ... Thanks to Mayor Wood's hard work, Oceanside crime is now at a 30-year low.
Recently, I have read that Mayor Wood's opponent, Councilman Chavez, has been exploring the outsourcing of Oceanside's key public safety departments. With so many troublesome issues facing Oceanside, such as the statewide water shortage, energy costs and environmental issues, I don't understand why Mr. Chavez would be focusing the city's time and resources on areas such as public safety that are clearly already headed in the right direction.
Second, I have concerns regarding Councilman Chavez's involvement with the Oceanside School of Business and Technology, which recently did not have its charter renewed. ... I believe his intentions were certainly noble. However, the position of mayor is for the candidate who accomplishes what he sets out to do, and in this case, it is my opinion that Mr. Chavez did not live up to the promises he made our city.
Andrew Schmitt
Oceanside
Outraged by checkpoingsl
I wanted to express my outrage with the use of checkpoints by local police and the U.S. Border Patrol agents in the county. I agree that these checkpoints are unconstitutional, but my outrage is not over their legality. My outrage is driven by their immorality.
It is no secret that these checkpoints are driven by the anti-poor-people sentiment that abounds in places like Escondido. Politicians in the county believe that they can intimidate poor people by using the police and the Border Patrol to persecute mothers and fathers who want nothing more than to work and raise their families. These politicians are not only shortsighted, they are immoral.
I know I'm not the only one who feels like we live in a police state every time I drive by one of these checkpoints. They make me and thousands of others distrust those who are supposed to "serve and protect" us. The police and the Border Patrol should examine their behavior and their conscience. ...
Erubey Lopez
Oceanside
Tolerance shouldn't trump truth
Although what is popular or politically correct changes as often as fashion does, truth does not change. And although society often effectively tries to convince us that the feelings of our heart and the thoughts of our conscience are wrong, our heart and our conscience respond to what is right.
Marriage between a man and a woman is right. And although tolerance is commendable, truth is more important. We cannot let tolerance become more important than moral values.
I believe in people's right to make personal choices, but I do not believe in calling wrong right. We must stand up for what is right. In the polling booth on Nov. 4, listen to your heart and vote yes on Proposition 8.
Beka Bess
Carlsbad
Smoke-free facilities will protect public
Congratulations to the North County Transit District Board of Directors for voting unanimously to go smoke-free at all its facilities, and kudos to NCTD Vice Chairman David Roberts for tirelessly campaigning for the ordinance. This step will protect the traveling public from second-hand smoke, set a good example for kids and ensure that transit grounds will no longer be littered by cigarette butts.
Special thanks to Joe Kellejian, Solana Beach City Council member and longtime advocate for tobacco-free communities, for his compelling testimony and support. NCTD has made mass transit more attractive as a transportation alternative and has further contributed to the cause of clean and healthy air.
Debra Kelley
senior director of Advocacy and Strategic Health
Initiatives,
American Lung
Association of California
San Diego
Honor our veterans on Nov. 11
Honor our veterans and all our military who are making the ultimate sacrifice. They need and deserve our support and prayers. Thank our courageous and dedicated men and women who willingly make the sacrifice. They suffer the effects of battle. We cannot even imagine the pain.
All of our veterans from all wars deserve our thanks and gratitude for their selfless sacrifice. Our freedom is not a gift from God but hard-won with the help of God.
Pray for our veterans, troops and country. Never forget, freedom is never free. Honor our veterans on Nov. 11 at Grape Day Park. God bless America!
Beatrice Demmel
Escondido
You haven't lived until you've dined on a ship
I just got back from a seven-day Mexican cruise. Our adventure began the moment we got aboard and unpacked. The food, shows, classes and shore excursions made the trip so exciting.
We had a staff of 750 dedicated people responding to every whim. It began in the morning with having a cup of coffee, then a workout at the gym. By eight, we were ready for a sit-down breakfast, or we could dine buffet style (any time). Afterward, a dancing class (I learned the cha-cha and rumba), a quick shower and a swim in the indoor or outdoor pool.
By this time, lunch was greatly appreciated. Afterward, I usually took in a first-run movie. Another lecture or class, and it was time to dress up a little for the five-star dinner. You have not lived until you've dined on a ship. Then it was time to dance to a great band and take in the nightly show (Vegas-style). If we still had energy left, more dancing or karaoke followed.
The shore excursions were the most exciting (they are extra in cost). All this and more for $700. Try doing that in any nice hotel.
William Hart
Carlsbad
Truth vs. deception
Today (SB 777), public schools in California, effectively, are not permitted to use the terms, mom/dad/father/mother, bride/groom/husband/wife, or any other terminology that might imply discrimination toward the homosexual (same-sex marriage ) . Further, boys can use girls restrooms, and locker rooms, if they deem appropriate. This is the law today! Lost are the rights of those who know who they are?
Understand people, every time an extra so-called right is given to the homosexual, the heterosexual looses his justified right. You give the homosexual the right to marry, effectively, you loose your right to be called mom/dad, father/mother, bride/groom, etc.
Further, understand this, there is a difference between a homosexual and a heterosexual, a distinct difference. This difference is sexual behavior — the basic difference between the different lifestyles, between real marriage and so-called same-sex marriage.
Additionally, there are no rights guarantied under the Constitution for any sexual preference differentiation. To this very day there is no empirical, nor clinical proof, to support the opinion that homosexuality is an inborn condition.
You hear about diversity? Where is the diversity within homosexuality, gender sameness, and same-sex anything? There isn't any.
Again, misrepresentation!
Frank Lancelotti
Oceanside
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jvc wrote on Oct 31, 2008 3:40 AM:Why the esoteric mechanisms of
education must be abandoned.
Can there be any doubt that our form of
government as formulated by our constitution is explicitly responsible
for the economic development of capitalism? This constitution gave us the tools for a freedom to pursue wealth by the free enterprise of individual effort.
However, while the Congress is an
institution that is a legislative body
seeminly controlled by our Constitution of capitalism, it altered our de facto
capitalism of our democracy by bailing out our financial markets! Thus,our capitalist system driven by an unhindered pursuit of wealth and consumption was destroyed by the bailout!
Irrespective of this or as a result of the inability to compete in a world economy so filled with cheap labor, our economic system was doomed to failure!
Given all this, we should take heart in the realization now that our economic
system should not be based on consumption and labor in the new economic world order!
Therefore, our new economic system that should give us a superior competative edge in the new world order
should be based on education and knowledge!
Consequently, there is no reason that we cannot create an economy based on educational opportunity for all supported by a government bailout!
And there is no reason that all our students cannot attain the education of
an engineer ( applied scientist) by the
twelfth grade!
However, our present esoteric system of education of imparting knowledge to
the privilege must be abandoned!
kit wrote on Oct 31, 2008 6:30 AM:I agree with the letter writer that indicates that Jack Feller can't get along with others. Intolerance is a character trait and Jack has had his 8 years. We need to move on.
Roger wrote on Oct 31, 2008 7:15 AM:While studying the map of "blue states" and what's left of the "red states" it occures to me McCain / Palin are pretty much down to the (former) slave states and maybe (former) border state Kansas.
Most peculiar.
DD Wiz wrote on Oct 31, 2008 7:20 AM:Is the Constitution Un-Constitutional?
The published letter from Jack Fulton epitomizes the kind of extremist mentality that causes rational folks to scratch their heads and go, huh?
He asserts that the 16th Amendment to the Constitution is UN-CONSTITUTIONAL!
What?
How can an Amendment to the Constitution, which changes the Constitution and becomes part of it, ever be un-Constitutional? One can disagree with it, but to call it "unconstitutional" shows a lack of objective thinking.
He further shows that, unable to think or read for himself, he regurgitates widely disseminated right-wing talking points, found on many websites, claiming that a "graduated income tax placed directly on the people is a plank of the 'Communist Manifesto.'"
He obviously has never studied this short, simple document. The word "plank" never even occurs in this short piece, often described as a "pamphlet." Read it yourself! It is in the public domain and widely available on the web.
It is true that Marx did support progressive (graduated) taxes which are among many policy proposals in the Manifesto.
Here are a few more:
Marx proposes ending slavery, which was still legal in both England and the U.S. when the Manifesto was written in 1848. Does Fulton also oppose slavery? If so, does that make him a Marxist?
Marx proposes ending child factory labor, common in Dickensian (literally) London of his day.
Marx proposes universal free public education.
Marx also predicted that the sun would rise in the east.
Marx also made many other policy proposals that I vehemently disagree with. Mostly I disagree with the overall theory of government owned and operated industry, which Republicans are moving us toward.
But my advice for Fulton: if you are going to copy stuff from right wing websites, which are notoriously unreliable, at least check out the "information" for yourself, or risk making yourself look as loony as these right-wing extremists, as you did in your letter.
Peace, prosperity and sunshine to all, DD Wiz
Joe the Moonshiner wrote on Oct 31, 2008 7:55 AM:Damn straight, Roger! Here at the Cracker Hollow Alternative Fuel & Beverage Company you can't hardly get to the radio to turn up Rush Limbaugh without tripping over the McCain / Palin signs.
Wanda wrote on Oct 31, 2008 8:09 AM:Yea, Roger, at 7:15 AM, folks in trailer parks throughout the bible belt just can't get enough of "traditional values". Caribou Barbie and that senile old influence peddler are selling well, in a limited market.
Republican Socialist wrote on Oct 31, 2008 8:11 AM:Jack Fulton's letter seems to imply that anyone who supports a graduated income tax is a follower of Karl Marx.
Have you seen the video of McCain in 2001 explaining his opposition to the Bush tax cuts for the rich, and explaining how progressive taxes work and why we need them?
Is McCain a "share the wealth" socialist?
If so, he comes by it honestly.
McCain describes Teddy Roosevelt as his political ideal.
Teddy Roosevelt was a strong proponent of graduated income taxes.
Was Teddy Roosevelt a Republican Socialist?
And how about that Sarah Palin?
As I noted yesterday, here is a quote from Palin: "And Alaska - we're set up, unlike other states in the union, where it's collectively Alaskans own the resources. So we share in the wealth when the development of these resources occurs." (New Yorker Magazine, September 22, 2008, Interview with Philip Gourevitch in August 2008 prior to being selected as VP nominee)
The complete interview is online, on the New Yorker Magazine website and I have provided enough specifics for a Google search so simple even McCain could do it. Well, maybe.
Joe the Plumber and media wrote on Oct 31, 2008 8:13 AM:Guy named Joe, who happens to be a plumber with ambitions for a bigger business, questioned and challenged a Guy named Barack, who happens to be running for President of the US/Leader of the Free World…
And within 24 hours the Media has given us more information about Joe's life than they've given us about Barack's life in the past 18 months.
Thanks to a diligent press corps, we now know about Joe's professional licensing status, his income tax situation, his employment history, his domestic squabbles, his voting record, everything associated with his personal identity; his education…. It's probably been reported somewhere whether he wears boxers or briefs.
Thanks to a lazy press corps…We still don't know what grades Obama made in college; how he got into Harvard; when he met Bill 'the bomber' Ayers; when he stopped doing illegal drugs; his medical history; the extent of his affiliation with socialist/communist organizations; why he's no longer a licensed attorney; whether he lied on his Bar application;----
Whether he'd qualify for a security clearance if he were just an 'average Joe;' what passport he used to travel to Pakistan in 1981; whether he was or still is an Indonesian citizen; why his Kenyan grandmother insists he was born there; whether he was ever legally named Barry Soetoro or anything else besides Barack Hussein Obama-----;
Why he needed the help of a crook to purchase his family home; where he was on Nov. 6 and 7, 1999; what the long-version of his birth certificate says; why he helped an anti-American, pro-Islamic candidate for Kenyan President against US interests; why he listened to Rev. Wright's sermons for 20 years; how many times he took his kids to a Rev. Wright sermon; what he actually did as chair of the Annenberg Challenge; the depth of his relationship with ACORN…
Well, you get the idea.
But, really, I am SO relieved that the Mainstream Media has done its job vetting Joe The Plumber, who is NOT running for public office, but who had the AUDACITY to challenge Barack Hussein Obama, who wants my vote for President of the United States of America.'
To Erubey Lopez wrote on Oct 31, 2008 8:14 AM:YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! I agree completely. Those checkpoints are immoral and they are held in highly populated poor and Latino areas of town. One can only deduce the checkpoints are targeting the poor and Latino. I am so disgusted with our elected officials who sit idly by wringing their hands and remaining silent on this attack on their constituents. Disgusting and immoral
OBAMACAN wrote on Oct 31, 2008 8:45 AM:Oh, the political illiteracy of those who get all their information from Faux Noise!
The blog "Joe the Plumber" at 8:13 a.m. is riddled with factual errors.
He refers to a "guy named Joe who happens to be a plumber."
Actually, the guy is named "Sam" and does not have a plumbing license.
He says that "with 24 hours" of asking Obama a question, "the Media has given us more information about Joe's life than they've given us about Barack's life in the past 18 months."
Actually, it was not "within 24 hours." It did not begin until JOHN McCAIN invoked Joe 21 times during the debate several days later and opened up this hornet's nest in which Joe (I mean Sam) got stung. And actually, the media has documented every aspect of Obama's life in stunning detail, including ALL of the info that the blogger says is missing.
It is only missing because he gets all his information from "Faux Noise" which is the only media that has been really deficient.
Wanda wrote on Oct 31, 2008 8:47 AM:The 8:13 AM poster almost got a perfect score regurgitating the stock innuendoes.
Only missed "Is Obama a Muslim?".
Fred wrote on Oct 31, 2008 8:57 AM:When are we going to get the truth on expendatures for Joe the Plumber's wardrobe?
Bob wrote on Oct 31, 2008 9:11 AM:You're right, Roger, at 7:15 AM. Maybe we should let the "red states" secede :)
Doug in Vista wrote on Oct 31, 2008 9:16 AM:The letter by Jack Fulton is mystifying. An amendment is unconstitutional? The 16th amendment was passed by a two-thirds majority in both the house and the senate and then by three-fourths of the states.
If amendments are “unconstitutional” I guess we better say goodbye to the right to bear arms, the right of assembly, the right of free spee……..
to Joe the Faux wrote on Oct 31, 2008 9:20 AM:As OBAMACAN pointed out, the 8:13 post has his story almost entirely incorrect. In addition, one might add that the following people are also not running for office: Rev Wright, Farrakhan, Obama's half brother or whatever he is in Kenya, Ayers, Alinsky, Marx, Stalin, Obama's grandmother, and the list can go on indefinitely. The 8:13 poster has, in good consevative form, both a roomful of lies AND a double standard. Hard to beat that stuff when you want two "mavericks" in office. You betcha!
Doug in Vista wrote on Oct 31, 2008 9:20 AM:It is sad that Joe the Liar is under such scrutiny. Why can’t the elite liberal pinheads just accept everything this representative for “Real America” says without so many annoying questions?
Alf wrote on Oct 31, 2008 9:22 AM:As it has to do with homosexuals having the right to marry and Prop. 8,
If you strip away all the religious mumbo-jumbo, the hysterical hyperbole and the comparisons to states that are not applicable to the laws, Constitution of California and wording of the California Supreme Court decision,
what do you find?
Fear, hatred and bigotry which can be summed up by 5 words,
"I/We don't think it's right."
When last I checked,
thinking something is not right
does not make it wrong and
is no excuse to pass a
discriminatory Constitutional Amendment.
Vote NO on Prop. 8.
Regards, Alf.
Ron wrote on Oct 31, 2008 9:23 AM:Now, just you understand where "The Wizzer" {Oct 30}@9:14 PM and the rest of the radicals are talking about with this "Tax Equity" stuff.
You see, under the IRS code, tax laws were commonly use together, we all stand equal under those rules. All income is specified by the IRS, all layed out as to how it will or will not be counted, and deductions from income as they may apply to all.
This is Tax Equity, it is the equal treatment of citizens under one law.
Now, Tax Equity to a Liberals is very, very different. AS I've pointed out before, to the government, unearned income as always been treated differently than has earned income, for very specific reasons, capital investments which drives our economic structure. We have a long standing tradition of treating unearned income differently, although some Congress's in the past have chosen to tax unearned income higher, NO Congress... Let me repeat that for the Liberals....
NO CONGRESS or President, for that matter has ever.. EVER said, proposed, or stated that we should tax unearned income within the tax bracketing as earned income.
You see, even they understood where the gold comes from, and had to defer whatever ideological inclinations they might have had, because of the economic realities. In short, you kill the goose that's laying the eggs.
But to the ideologue, that is not a good enough reason. Equity equals Fairness, and that means redistributon.
Wizzer and other's have repeated said they want unearned income to be taxed inside the brackets. That places them, outside of the mainstream, even for Democrats like FDR, Truman, or JFK.
The Progressives of yester-year understood capitalism, how it worked, how to use it to their advantage, how to tax it to get policies in place they believed were right. It was a balance.
But, the Progressives of today are a far, far different creature, altogether.
They are more ideologically driven.
Which is now why my good buddy wants to not only tax unearned income inside the tax brackets, but he also wants to see "Total Wealth" as a part of his "Tax Equity."
He says it right here:
"1 - total benefit received for those taxes
2 - total income from which taxes are derived
3 - total wealth being protected by those taxes as measured by total wealth (assets)"
In other words, he's lamenting, much like NObama has lamented, that "Wealth" is not taxed, but only taxable income.
They want it ALL folks.
Just remember, when NObama talks about tax cuts for 40 million who don't pay federal incomes taxes...
Yeah... it's like that.
NO ON 8 wrote on Oct 31, 2008 9:30 AM:Marriage is a divine right, recognised by the state or not. We as humans have the right to choose who we want as our mate.I don't live by the bible nor do I live by what a dictionary states. The bible is a fairy tale and a dictionary is not intended as a manual on survival,existance or procreation. Keep your god/bibles and dictionaries out of other peoples lives.
Temecula PD wrote on Oct 31, 2008 9:35 AM:The Temecula PD should come to work in San Diego instead. It seems if they can be as indiscrimate as to ticket law breaking students, then maybe they wont target the Latino population. Let's replace all San Diego law enforcement with Temecula officers instead.
No on 8 wrote on Oct 31, 2008 9:49 AM:LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Californians appear poised to support the right to same-sex marriage when they go to the polls on Tuesday but support for a ballot measure to ban the practice has increased in recent weeks, a poll showed on Friday.
The latest Field Poll conducted from October 18 to Tuesday showed the proposed ban on same-sex marriage failing, with 49 percent opposing the ban and 44 supporting it. Opposition to the ban was stronger in September, when 55 percent opposed it and 38 percent supported it.
2012 wrote on Oct 31, 2008 9:50 AM:Coming Attractions: The Republican ticket in 2012 will be Joe and Sarah. Oh Boy!
Larry wrote on Oct 31, 2008 9:50 AM:Among the hateful sarcastic letters is a beautiful and most inspirational letter that shares a spirit of compassion not heard much anymore. Yes, the success of the food bank was due to leadership.
Focal Point wrote on Oct 31, 2008 9:53 AM:Joe the Plumber and media LOL All this Obama crapola done to death on the blog and in the press. Attack negative ads from McCain have back fired on him. Joe is getting vetted because he is being held up as a model by McCain. Both have turned out to be liars. If you don't get the answer you want, you feel that you are being lied to. Get real. Quit lying to your self.
Reardon wrote on Oct 31, 2008 10:01 AM:We have a hint as to the inclusiveness of a future Obama administration: The Drudge Report is reporting that reporters for three newspapers that have endorsed McCain have been thrown off the Obama campaign plane.
Reporters for the Dallas Morning News, the New York Post and the Washington Times have been dismissed, or at least that is what is reported.
Along with the Biden fiasco in Florida with banning interviews with a TV station where Biden faced serious questions, we have a preview of press intimidation.
This is an administration that will not permit dissent.
Focal Point wrote on Oct 31, 2008 10:10 AM:riday, October 31, 2008
The Rasmussen Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Friday shows Barack Obama with 51% of the vote, John McCain with 47%.
Wanda wrote on Oct 31, 2008 10:14 AM:Reardon, at 10:01 AMquips: "This is an administration that will not permit dissent".
After eight years of "You're either with us or your against us" I doubt anybody will notice the difference :)
Oh Reardon wrote on Oct 31, 2008 10:19 AM:Methinks that your post at 10:01 takes enormous leaps from the facts. Obama may or may not "permit dissent". I hope we get to find out. But to go from one or two incidents to make conclusions about an entire governmental philosophy? That's not from the Logic class you took at Annapolis! LOL (And, BTW, we've had 8 years of Mr Bush, who HAS actually shown us, again and again, what happens to people inside his administration who dissent. I don't recall your complaining about any of that, and no leaps of faith were involved...these were facts on the table!)
Drones are bad news wrote on Oct 31, 2008 10:24 AM:Increasingly, attacks from the air in Pakistan are being carried out by US drones (unmanned). I know that using these weapons is appealing, because there is no American in harm's way. But think a moment: isn't it a BAD thing when delivering death becomes EASIER? Isn't the chance of error (i.e., murder) more likely when you have the confidence that you have no American lives to lose and therefore no political risk at home? This is a very scary development IMHO, with much potential for evil.
Ms M wrote on Oct 31, 2008 10:24 AM:Reardon
[-] wrote on Oct 31, 2008 10:01 AM:...yeah right - shame on you Reardon. The cons have held the press away from Palin since day one. How many press conferences has McCain held. Talking about limiting the press:
Sat Aug 9, 5:57 PM Pacific
Why is McCain's staff cutting off media access?
Last week, McCain's campaign staff restricted the national press corps to 38 minutes of access to the candidate. Not 38 minutes per press conference, not 38 minutes per day, but 38 minutes for the entire week.
That excerpt is one of many regarding McCain and access by the press - do a google.
So Reardon you come up with two examples. Did you see the ABC "interview". It was tasteless, crass, unprofessional, partisan and not at all tough on the issues. Did you watch the ABC interview with McCain? You cons are beyond PATHETIC!
jvc wrote on Oct 31, 2008 10:25 AM:Before we label his administration
suppressive, he has to win the election and hold office....it is much too soon to be scurrilous!
Bob wrote on Oct 31, 2008 10:27 AM:While Reardon is correct about "reporters for three newspapers that have endorsed McCain have been thrown off the Obama campaign plane", it is important to note that the plane was on the ground at the time.
Ms M wrote on Oct 31, 2008 10:29 AM:Reardon
[-] wrote on Oct 31, 2008 10:01 AM:...This is an administration that will not permit dissent...I can't believe you wrote this. Is this all you have? Oh my - PATHETIC! No maybe the word should be DESPERATE!
Bob wrote on Oct 31, 2008 10:36 AM:Well, Roger, at 7:15 AM, maybe we should let them secede.
Alf wrote on Oct 31, 2008 10:47 AM:Well, "Reardon" at 10:01AM,
serious questions like 'Isn't Obama being a Marxist with his.....'.
Calling that sort of question "serious" is like calling the question 'When did you stop beating your wife?' a serious question.
I'd have thought better of you, "Reardon".
The placing an insult inside a question is not a serious question, it is a vulgar and reprehensible act by a reporter who used the interview as a way to insult, nothing more.
I would say the same thing about someone doing the same sort of thing to McGWB.
That is not journalism, it's political feces masquerading as journalism.
Regards, Alf.
To OBAMACANT wrote on Oct 31, 2008 10:53 AM:OBAMACAN
[-] wrote on Oct 31, 2008 8:45 AM:Oh, the political illiteracy of those who get all their information from Faux Noise!
The blog "Joe the Plumber" at 8:13 a.m. is riddled with factual errors.
Actually, the guy is named "Sam"
You are incorrect as usual. His name and yes you can use a middle name, is Samual "JOSEPH" AKA Joe. Get real. In addition, he did not seek out to be vetted but yet people like you and others refuse to point out that Barry has not been fully vetted. Shoot, you vetted the holy you know what out of McCain and yet we still don't know or have seen any of your messiah's transcripts. Talk about hyprocips.
Acorn pro and con wrote on Oct 31, 2008 10:55 AM:From the Michigan Citizen QUOTE [...] Former New Mexico U.S. Attorney David Iglesias, a Republican who was appointed by President George W. Bush, has spoken recently about the directions he received from the U.S. Justice Department during the legislative elections of 2006 - to go after ACORN for voter registration fraud. He and other U.S Attorneys were summarily dismissed after finding no evidence of fraud and refusing to prosecute trumped up charges.
In addition, strong statements supporting ACORN by members of the Congressional Black Caucus, the AFL-CIO, and national voting rights advocates like Robert Kennedy, Jr., have brought some balance to the debate.
A delegation of U.S. Congressmen and women, including Rep. John Conyers, have sponsored a written plea, dated Oct. 20, to Attorney General Michael Mukasky and F.B.I. Director Robert M. Mueller reprimanding the, "escalation of attacks on ACORN and others seeking to register and turn out voters."
The letter details recent evidence of intimidation against ACORN staffers that may amount to "possible federal crimes such as criminal civil rights crimes including conspiracy to deprive the victims (and others) of federally protected constitutional rights, mail and wire offenses, and other more basic offenses such as assault and battery." ENDQUOTE While Reardon is freaking out about some dissenting reporters being denied access to Obama, here is the Bush's Justice Department engaged in the persecution of voter registration. I don't know about you, but voter suppression is about as unamerican and third world as it gets around here. Every real American should be outraged.
to Roger and Bob wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:01 AM:I agree! Let's allow McCain and Palin to become President of those Confederate states that desire them. I'm sure it's just a coincidence that the GOP carries the slave states. No racism in this campaign. LOL Tell you what: let's throw in Alaska!
OMG wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:03 AM:Reardon [-] wrote on Oct 31, 2008 10:01 AM:
Why is this any different from the past 8 years? Because Reardon says it is?
More useless information from the most self-absorbed, irrelevant poster on this blog.
No one cares Reardon, go away.
Cristi wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:05 AM:I have a few questions for the Prop 8 supporters fanatically waving signs, innocent children in tow, on our street corners. First, where are your white hoods, bigots?
Christian right-wingers pick and choose which rules to follow in the bible. What about Deuteronomy 22:28-29 which says a woman must marry her rapist? How bout Leviticus 25:44-46 which says slavery is A-OK?
If these nutjobs had their "biblical" way over the past hundred years we'd have no civil rights for women, African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, the list goes on.
Separation of church and state is a legal and political principle derived from the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof... Exercise away Christians, just don't try to impose your religious beliefs on others... oh that's right, that's what your all about.
Serious Questions wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:11 AM:Reardon at 10:01 a.m. repeats the phony right-wing talking points about "the Biden fiasco in Florida with banning interviews with a TV station where Biden faced serious questions."
This is not true.
There is not enough room on the plane for every hate-filled right-wing propagandist who wants to spout their venom against Obama.
Just because a station calls itself a "news" station doesn't mean it is any more legitimate as "real" news than is the Daily Show, which at least admits it is a "fake news" comedy show.
The station in Florida asked repeated "gotcha" questions that were based on phony assumptions that any serious journalist would know were phony, such as the question about the statement from Marx applying to Obama, when it has NOTHING to do with his proposals for TAX CUTS for the middle class and would be just as applicable to McCain's statements supporting progressive taxes, Sarah Palin's statements about "sharing the wealth" from Alaskan oil, or McCain's current proposals to redistribute wealth to those who are already the wealthiest.
If that reporter didn't ask the same questions to McCain and Palin, then she was a propaganda-spewing partisan, not an objective news reporter and does not belong in the official loop.
...
So much for objective journalism.
And so much for Reardon's credibility.
Karl wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:12 AM:Ouch "Wanda @ 8:09 AM" it's called a mobile home park (not a trailer park) and my folks live in one. Get it right. I for one cannot believe that an avowed Democrat would bag on the lowest among us. An apology would be nice.
Think About It wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:13 AM:To OBAMACANT[-] wrote on Oct 31, 2008 10:53 AM: If he was shy and did not want to be vetted, Sam or Joe or Sammy Joe should not have permitted McCain to use his name, likeness and quotes. Ain't it a shame that Sammy Joe has demonstrated to be a liar. He is not a plumber. Sam does not have the money to start or to purchase a business? If Joe did, he would benefit form the Obama tax plan. And, I wonder how much Grandpa is paying him? The rest of your blog IMHA is just so much boring Whaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!
Vetted wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:14 AM:To OBAMACANT must be some kind of Rip Van Winkle who just woke up. Can you say with a straight face that Obama has not been "vetted"? Were you around during the primary campaign? Did you see clips of his pastor used against him? Have you noticed that anyone whom he came near has been "vetted" and if there's anything shady, it's been used against him. I've seen some nutty posts here, but this is one of the nuttiest. And where does it come from? Sarah Palin, who has appeared out of nowhere, gone through zero trials without handlers and scriptwriters, asking "Who is Obama, really?" That's enough for to Obamacant. Good grief.
Oh Karl wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:15 AM:Why are you calling your parents "the lowest among us"?
Reardon wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:21 AM:Reardon posts reported information on press intimidation, and gets grief from the "Amen Corner" of the Left.
(Along with rationalizations, and echoes of "(Bush )(McCain)(Palin) did it too.")
Pathetic.
Mob Think.
Defend the indefensible.
(I had more expectation of Alf, but he has so often proven me naive about him. He chides me about the TV interview, but does not reflect on the dismissal of the three reporters. Doubly pathetic.)
Focal Point wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:22 AM:Obama lead over McCain growing. New poll shows him up by 8
With only a few days until the vote, Barack Obama has pulled to an eight point lead over John McCain in a tally of "traditional" likely voters in the latest Gallup daily tracking poll.
Karl wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:27 AM:To Erubey Lopez @ 8:14 AM:
I totally agree Erubey Lopez. Bring on the checkpoints to the Escondido Country Club area. I would however suggest that the checkpoints start at 4:00 AM and conclude by 6:00 PM. At 4:00 AM we might catch an Alf or a Wanda doing 31MPH in a 25MPH going to the 7-11 for the highly illegal drug called "caffeine". At 6:00 PM you might catch a very tired "Ron" or "DD Wiz" doing 45 MPH in a 25 MPH trying to get home to their loved ones after a hard day at work. I can't believe the Cop's don't catch more of these criminals, it's almost criminal.
Looking Glass wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:30 AM:FOCAL POINT - I don't pay any attention to polls, because if you go back in history you'll find polls were off by 6-10% when compared to actual election results. What will matter is how the American public votes.
to Focal Point wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:35 AM:Thanks for the glad tidings. But I will never, ever understand how this can even be a close race. Considering what the nation thinks about the Bush presidency, and now having a guy running on continuing this presidency; considering his vp pick is widely thought to be far from up for the job; considering McCain/Palin's campaign has been a non-stop phony smear job...how can Obama be ahead by only 8? It should be 38! Maybe the rest of the world is right about us Americans, that we're shallow, dumb, egomaniacal...
Alf wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:35 AM:Well, "Reardon" at 11:21AM,
I chose the most egregious of the offenders, the one that I could watch the video.
I try to be selective, to challenge statements about those things of which I'm certain and I'm certain that the "reporter" had more interest in insult than in any answer that might be offered.
Not too many people would allow such behavior around them more than once, would you?
I wouldn't.
Regards, Alf.
Property Rights wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:38 AM:Reardon[-] wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:21 AM:
Its Obama's plane> Maybe, Barak gets to decide who uses his property.
Karl wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:39 AM:Let's get something straight right now "Oh Karl @ 11:15 AM". My parents are without comparison. You Libs use "trailer trash" when it works to your advantage. That was my statement.
Focal Point wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:42 AM:Looking Glass[-] wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:30 AM: It is all part of the game. Have fun. Regards FP
Looking Glass wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:45 AM:REARDON - Mob think dominates both political parties. Why do you think George Washington said political parties would be a detriment to this country? Republicans take bribes and spend tax dollars. Democrats raise taxes and spend tax dollars. To me there is no difference between these parties anymore. Go 3rd party!
Karl wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:46 AM:Nice, I learned a new word today "egregious" from dictionary ... "extraordinary in some bad way; glaring; fl