LETTERS: NCT, Dec. 20, 2008

By Readers of the North County Times | Saturday, December 20, 2008 12:13 AM PST ∞

A way for Bush to steal Obama's thunder

I have it on good authority (the voices in my head) that there is a move afoot to steal some of Mr. Obama's thunder. Mr. Bush will announce his resignation on Jan. 9, which would make Mr. Cheney the president. He will then name Condoleeza Rice as his vice president. On Jan. 15, Mr. Cheney will resign, making Ms. Rice the first woman/black president of the United States of America.

Ed DeCanniere

Oceanside

Overwhelming to see giving firsthand

I want to take this opportunity to thank the Escondido community and downtown businesses that participated in the Angel Tree Project for military families at Camp Pendleton.

Special thanks to the 14 participating businesses that had the Angel Trees at their business: Escondido Antique Mall, 1st Centennial Bank, Stitchers Treasures, Artists Gallery, The Big Wig, Studio 158, Bellissima Spa, Escondido Coin and Loan, Yardage Town, Correct Carpet, Royal Travel, Bistro 221, Seven Salon, and Architectural Relics.

I had the privilege, with Kay Ellis and my husband, James, of delivering the bags of wrapped gifts to the military base where the families will pick them up. I learned that 1,084 military families were adopted throughout San Diego. It was overwhelming to see giving firsthand.

In a world that sometimes seems like it has gone crazy, it is wonderful to see the appreciation for those who serve in the military and give up so much to make our world safer.

Patricia Spann

Escondido

Driving is more dangerous than flying

I am also laughing at June Kristapovich's letter of Dec. 17. Did she ever do any research on the indisputable evidence on the Internet regarding the danger of automobiles also? We are all aware of the thousands of accidents and deaths on the highways. You risk your life driving on our roads today. Drunks, unlicensed drivers, hit and run, dope addicts, reckless drivers, etc., contribute to the mess.

The most dangerous part of any airplane trip is the travel to and from the airport. The police department is doing their best with the checkpoints looking for these offenders, but they can only do so much.

There are no guarantees you will drive home safely after a trip to the grocery store in this day and age. So, June, you'd better be driving a tank back and forth to the store. Hope you survive! Just a suggestion: Next time you buy a home, make sure it's not in the flight path of an airport. Don't expect the airport to move for your benefit.

Joseph F. Martin

Oceanside

Oil companies should help Detroit

In light of the Big Three auto companies' troubles to go along with the Wall Street debacle and the mortgage collapse, where does Big Oil stand in all of this? They are doing just fine, thank you! There have been gripes and complaints that Exxon/Mobil and others have had obscene profits. The president-elect ran some of his campaign on tax-boosting their windfall.

But it seems to me that the petro-energy giants have certainly been lying low lately, as has OPEC. I have heard absolutely nothing about my opinion that the oil companies should step up and help out the Detroit beggars by loaning them their past three or more quarters of profits. I don't believe that would really hurt them. After all, they did get a green light to drill where they haven't been able to for some time.

Doesn't it seem to you that they should help, since they stand to lose a lot if the auto manufacturers don't make cars and trucks to use their products?

Trent Hamlin

Vista

Keep asphalt plant out of El Corazon

Re: "Temporary asphalt plant nixed for El Corazon site," Dec. 17: As a result of a recent Planning Commission meeting, the City Council is now responsible for approving a proposed 12,000-gallon asphalt oil storage tank, on El Corazon property, to facilitate operation of a "temporary" mobile asphalt plant.

As a nearby property owner and caregiver for aging parents, I'm strongly opposed. Asphalt plant emissions constitute a health hazard, especially for children and seniors whose lower tolerance for toxicity makes immune systems vulnerable.

Asphalt odor is offensive and carcinogenic. Who welcomes re-roofing stench or holds their breath when driving behind asphalt trucks?

When nearby properties are for sale, sellers must make full disclosures and environmental impact reports are provided. Asphalt facility odor must be disclosed.

Primary "pros" offered by the Planning Commission in support of the proposal: revenue generation ($1 million per year for Oceanside) and no significant adverse environmental impact. Pro No. 1: Our city should promote "green" revenue, not court companies that produce more pollution. Pro No. 2: Prove it with valid research. I advocate growing Oceanside's revenue stream, but not at the expense of public health.

I implore City Council members to vote your conscience and value the health of present and future generations over revenue generation.

Kathy Indermill

Oceanside

Politics breeds false science

I read with amusement the letter from the Escondido writer who watched a DVD by one of the most partisan and self-serving politicians of our time, Al Gore, and can state categorically that his "An Inconvenient Truth" diatribe is real science ("Letter writer a 'denier' on global warming," Letters, Dec. 17). If anyone has actually read this book, "An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It," it is the least scholarly attempt to establish as scientific fact the myths, deceits and lies of the left. Scholarship requires research and scientific facts and citations of legitimate works. There is none of that in Gore's propaganda piece.

If open-minded people want real science, I refer you to Iain Murray's "The Really Inconvenient Truths: Seven Environmental Catastrophes Liberals Don't Want You to Know About –– Because They Helped Cause Them."

People who claim something is real science should first know what constitutes scientific inquiry. False science in the pursuit of a political agenda is still false science. I suggest readers who still have an open mind read both Gore and Murray and then decide for themselves if the trillions that the left is demanding we spend on global warming is actually money worth spending.

Josef Horowitz

Escondido

Loud music, bad driving harm neighborhood

The problem in my neighborhood is that people talk on the phone when they are driving and cause traffic problems. People have crashed into stop signs, and one almost hit my sister because they were talking on the phone.

People also listen to loud music at night and we can't get enough sleep for work or school in the morning. One solution is that people can buy a Bluetooth and pay more attention to the road, and if people stop listening to loud music we can get our beauty sleep.

Neighbors, please follow the law and wear your Bluetooth. And lower the music.

Thank you.

Jorge Racine

student, Cesar Chavez Middle School

Oceanside

Oceanside City Council plans to raise fees

Listen up, Oceanside property owners. Your City Council has sent impossible terms for us to avoid large fee increases for water and waste water. Their "notice" states: "If, by the close of the public hearing (Feb. 4), written protest against the rate increases are not presented by a majority of owners, the City Council will be authorized to adopt an ordinance to increase the water and wastewater fee rates and the drought rate structure. The rate increases will become effective thirty (30) days following the second reading of the ordinance and drought rates will be effective upon declaration of a water shortage emergency."

I spoke to Mayor Wood about similar increases when he first ran for office. He said he would do what he could. Apparently, he could do nothing, and the rates increased. I believe in conserving, but I don't like to pay more for less. When the City Council says a majority must write in, they know they will increase the rates. If their "notice" included a stamped, self-addressed envelope, a majority would not respond! Why don't you write in and maybe we can surprise the City Council?

Richard Bentley

Oceanside

Add candy tax, nip wealthy estates

Has anyone in Sacramento who is working on balancing the budget ever given thought to or figured out the following: If candy products were added to the sales taxable list, how much more money would come into the state coffers? I never understood why candy is exempt. I have assumed it was because of lobbying and donations to legislators.

If there were an estate tax put on estates of the very wealthy, how long would that additional revenue be needed to help balance the budget? It could be for an indefinite time and be canceled when that added income is no longer needed. Of course, I'm assuming again, but know that the legislature will eventually present a balanced budget.

Shirly Fletcher

Carlsbad