Creation of personhood

John McCain, and many others, insist that the moment a sperm fertilizes a human egg is the moment in time that a person is created and anyone who aborts that zygote is, therefore, a murderer. I have enormous difficulty with that view.

The three gynecologists I have questioned all point out that 35 percent to 50 percent of all conceptions are spontaneously aborted with or without the knowledge of the woman. This makes nature (or God?) the most incredibly prolific serial killer of all time. That just cannot be right â€"â€" can it?

Morris Shechet

Oceanside

Better things to donate money to

It is with great disdain that I read the article in today's paper, "Rincon Indians rescue city's Christmas parade," Sept. 24. Having been a resident of Escondido for more than 12 years, I was grateful that the parade did not have the money to be put on this year. This is one of the biggest boondoggles of Escondido I can think of, except the excessive amounts of illegals that are allowed to prosper in our city.

They close off the streets for hours prior to the parade, they close intersections for multiple blocks away from the parade going in multiple directions, and one must travel for many miles out of the way to get someplace. This is ridiculous and makes people hate the parade.

Maybe it would be better if the Rincon tribe stepped up and donated that $15,000 to the Escondido American Little League, which lost its sponsorship … or to the Escondido High School FFA program that is in dire need of new barns and revamping of the farm for the agriculture program for the kids.

Joe Cristarella

Escondido

Oceanside needs Wood's leadership

An important component of leadership is credibility. Oceanside voters must evaluate the credentials of the mayoral candidates: incumbent Mayor Jim Wood versus the challenger (again) Councilman Rocky Chavez.

Chavez insists that he has the financial expertise to guide the city, but the record does not reflect good judgment. Chavez voted to give Manchester $2.2 million for a non-hotel. … The School of Business and Technology failed under his management. His previous mayoral campaign is $36,000 in debt, per a report in the North County Times ("Chavez has fundraiser in San Diego," May 24, 2007).

Voters should ask themselves, "Is Oceanside a better city than it was four years ago?" My answer is yes, and I'm voting for the mayor who presided over these improvements and balanced the budget. I encourage Oceanside voters to join me Nov. 4 and vote for Mayor Jim Wood.

Ruth Morris

Oceanside

Solution to two problems

There are about 2 million houses within the flood plains, or below sea level, in the Gulf of Mexico coast. There are about 2 million surplus houses from the "bubble" that are on high ground.

Let's condemn those flood-plain houses that are so dangerous and require federal bailout on a continuing basis. Give owners a voucher to cover the small down payment on the distressed low-cost houses from the "bubble," which are available on high ground throughout the U.S. This would solve many major problems: Eliminate Gulf Coast bailouts; significantly correct housing bubble; establish safe residences; help cure the recession; raise the standard of living; restore the wetlands.

Ray Malott

Pala

Provide ashtrays to transit riders

In reference to the article, "Transit district eyes partial smoking ban at bus and rail stops," Sept. 22: First off, I do believe smokers have the same rights as nonsmokers, therefore, a designated place for them to smoke is the right thing to do. If you have people who can pick up and count 12,000 cigarette butts, you surely must have people who could place ashtray receptacles throughout the platform areas of the transit district stations, along with smoking and nonsmoking signs posted in the necessary places.

It is obvious there are thousands of people who use this form of transportation, so taking that into consideration, at least a receptacle for their butts is a must. Most smokers will use ashtrays if they are provided.

It would be interesting to see just how many complaints have been filed regarding this second-hand smoke too.

Jan Dennis

Oceanside

Gay marriage goes against higher law

I heartily agree with Adrienne Brown (Letters, Sept. 14). I also was shocked and disappointed when I opened to the engagement and marriage section and saw a picture of two men about to be married. The North County Times is a family newspaper, and we just don't want this kind of stuff in here.

Right now, gay marriage is the law of the land, but it goes against God's higher law. This is why I'm voting yes on 8 in November and I'm hoping millions more will too. Go to www.ProtectMarriage.com or call (800) 918-9104.

Phil Acosta (Letters, Sept. 18) calls Sarah Palin immoral, evil, sick and sadistic and asks God to protect our children from her. Yet Sarah is the one who loves children and is trying to save them from abortion. I believe Phil needs to … become pro-life.

I'm voting McCain-Palin to protect our babies from the immorality. If you haven't registered to vote yet, call the Registrar of Voters Office in San Diego or go to the post office.

Ronald Hutchison

Oceanside

Conflict of interest with our money

Henry Paulson, Secretary of the Treasury and former CEO of Goldman Sachs, appears to have a conflict of interest in managing the proposed $700 billion taxpayer Wall Street bailout.

Warren Buffet, a Barack Obama [supporter], just invested $5 billion in Goldman Sachs. Regulators arranged a sale of Washington Mutual to JPMorgan Chase. JPMorgan Chase will control mortgages, credit card loans and deposits at WaMu's branches. WaMu's shareholders are wiped out.

Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are expected to be the beneficiary of the $700 billion taxpayer bailout that is proposed for Congress to provide. We Americans each get the increased debt of up to $3,000 each. Is this a function of Congress, to bail out Wall Street with increasing taxpayer debt?

Pass legislation to better regulate Wall Street without setting up conflict of interest in government officials.

Robert Longton

Ramona

Time for oil companies to share revenue

Thank you, Democratic senators, in answer to Jim Stuart of Carlsbad's letter, "Dem senators scuttle U.S.-Iraq oil deal," Sept. 22.

Thank you, Sens. Charles Schumer, John Kerry and Claire McCaskill for protecting us. I find it very upsetting that Exxon Mobil could make $15,000 a second profit for the last quarter. It's time that big oil companies share the revenue (give back the tax breaks). The big oil companies have been screwing the American people!

Eleanor Patella

Sabre Springs

A dermatologist's skin bristles

Why does the McCain/Palin ticket make my skin bristle? McCain's poor judgment in placing a neophyte â€"â€" out of touch with the majority of Americans â€"â€" a heartbeat away from leading the most powerful nation in the world is irresponsible.

When a 72-year-old man with a history of three melanomas chooses this vice president, he is not putting the safety of our country first. Palin does not believe humans are contributing to climate change, does not believe in evolution and does not believe that women who have been raped have a right to terminate their pregnancies. But what troubles me more are her traits of embellishments and borderline fanaticism. She is articulate and charismatic, but voters beware and check out the facts and her record (www.FactCheck.org).

As a dermatologist and community college trustee, science matters, the truth matters and American values of peace, protecting our environment, fiscal responsibility and deepening tolerance matter. The Obama/Biden ticket offers us intelligence, wisdom, judgment and openness. The stakes are the highest they have ever been.

Ruth Larson

Rancho Bernardo

Palin passionate about kids with special needs

As the mother of a special-needs child, I am outraged by the attempts to cast away Gov. Sarah Palin's son, Trig, as a by-product of this or that! As special parents, we are faced with horrific acts of discrimination from every walk of life, looks and acts of disgust and/or pity on a daily basis. "Was he premature?" "Did you do drugs or smoke while pregnant?" "You're young enough, why don't you put him in an institution and try again?" … This is my life as a special-needs parent, this is my son's daily life â€"â€" is it yours? …

Gov. Palin is passionate about giving parents like me a voice â€"â€" a voice that continues to be drowned out by political games and misinterpretations of the ADA.

With a McCain-Palin administration, I am confident that special parents and Sarah's Special Kids, like Trig and Adam, will have an empowering, educating and passionate advocate in Washington. A face and voice that will inspire our country, and programs that will help struggling families like mine to give our special children the same opportunities we give all children; our hopes, our dreams and our desire for a better tomorrow. Sarah's Special Kids and Special Parents for McCain-Palin are a welcoming voice and advocate.

Kelley Carpenter

Ramona

Suffering from the same disease he decries

Richard Kirk suffers from the very disease he decries with his final sentence in the North County Times this week ("Homegrown American terrorist," column, Sept. 23). "Humility is absent among ideologues of every stripe â€"â€" whose opponents are invariably portrayed as liars and fools."

Max Savin

Escondido

Life can be great, even if you're sick

I am a senior and I take an awful lot of falls. This time, I fractured two disks in my spine, and that's very painful. I spent some time in Tri-City hospital, and they then sent me over to a rehabilitation place … close to my home. … There I received therapy for my injury, good food (the dietitian came to my bed and asked what I didn't like), and the grounds were beautiful also â€"â€" everywhere you looked were flowers, trees, fountains â€"â€" and so serene. The personnel were wonderful, always had a smile for you, and the nurses were very good, they were always smiling. I didn't know a place like this existed anymore.

I'm not saying anything against Tri-City; I have been there several times and have had excellent food, and the staff were very kind also. Also, I would like to give thanks to my immediate neighbors: Marcy Atilano, Ginny Ripley, Letty Agato, Claire and Lyle Abel, Catari Monsando and my son Larry and his wife, Susie. These people look out after me, doing everything from bringing my trash cans in, to taking me places because I don't drive anymore, to shopping for me and just plain overseeing me.

There are so many others who offer to help. Life can be great, even if you're sick. Don't let anybody fool you. Those golden years are really pot-metal years.

Betty Jarrett

Oceanside

Marriage does need our defense

David Horwitz wrote, "Marriage needs no defense," Letters, July 23, claiming "the imaginary of a 'vast homosexual agenda' does not exist." Really?

Activist William Eskridge wrote hoping gay (homosexual) marriage "will dethrone the traditional family based on blood relationships in favor of families we choose." Richard J. Riehl wrote, "It's hard to understand why Californians would feel the need to protect the institution of marriage" ("Joy of gay marriages cheered on 4th," July 4). A need to protect marriage? Yes! Michelangelo Signorile told homosexual activists to "fight for same-sex marriage and its benefits, and then, once granted, redefine the institution of marriage completely … to debunk a myth and radically alter an archaic institution completely."

Support for homosexual rights has become an integral part of the Democratic orthodoxy, as unassailable as the party's pro-choice or civil rights planks. History is cluttered with the wreckage of nations that have become indifferent to God, and died. Same-sex marriage can be justified only when the Biblical admonitions concerning marriage, the joining of a man and a woman, are completely abandoned. Think about it!

Emil Osberg Jr.

Carlsbad

4-H is a fabulous program

San Diego County has a fabulous 4-H program. There are many clubs around the county guided by many soft-hearted and fingerprinted volunteers. Trickle-down works here.

The small staff of 4-H reps helps set up events for the leaders to learn how to encourage youth and helps with events for the youth to do public speaking or show their mastery in competitions. The volunteers guide the youth in running the youth-led club using parliamentary procedure, with learning projects (robotics, orienteering, sewing, scrapbooking, horticulture, etc) and by providing good incentives. The youth grow, learn and achieve. It is thrilling to watch them stretch beyond what they could imagine, and some return to 4-H as adults to lead.

As volunteers, we only need to give six hours of time over six months, but it is addicting. The youth are great to work with, and they want to work and learn.

The 4-H program is year-round, but we do start up in the fall, so find a club near you: (858) 495-5190. Also, visit the Web site at vista4h.org.

Melissa Woodall

Vista

Preserve our senior neighborhoods

Eighteen years ago, we moved to Oceanside. A month later, when neighborhood boys broke two front windows, their parents were angry that I'd bothered telling them.

A few years ago, a family moved onto a street behind us; their boom boxes blared at top volume from their open garage. They rode their dirt bike back and forth a few feet from our windows. The noise was ear-shattering. More recently, the boys tried to pry fence board off to retrieve their ball from our back yard. A neighbor stopped them and helped us re-nail the loose boards.

Two years ago, they climbed over our locked gate to demand the ball they batted into our back yard; it cost $300 to repair the gate and adjacent fence. On Sept. 20, soft-cooked rice was dumped on our turf and an empty plastic cup was thrown onto our front yard. My husband is a blind veteran and we are in our 80s. This is why it is essential for Oceanside to preserve our senior-only communities. Seniors deserve peace in their golden years. What they don't need is harassment/damage from juvenile delinquents who have no regard for the elderly, raised by parents who don't give a darn what their kids do to seniors, even in nice-looking neighborhoods.

June Kristapovich

Oceanside

Absurd defense of gay marriage

Here we go again, the North County Times being a platform for those trying to justify abnormal behavior.

David Spruill ("One's sexual preference is never wrong," Letters, Sept. 18): This is an even more outrageous statement than Mr. Stidolph's ("Homosexuality occurs in the animal kingdom," Letters, Aug. 23). Let us not forget some men's sexual preference are young boys. Are you going to tell me that is not wrong? And there are many other sexual preferences just as vile that exist in our society today.

David Spruill's statement is not only asinine, but it upsets me to the core. For Mr. Spruill to try and parallel homosexuality with interracial marriage is yet another reach. Although interracial marriage can be very detrimental to children of an interracial couple (transplant matches, bone marrow matches), this still is a union between a man and a woman.

As far as Ms. Brown is concerned (Letters, Sept. 14), if the NCT continues to be a gay absurd platform, many more will follow Ms. Brown's lead. … What's next? Superiorly intelligent space aliens are predominantly gay?

Robert DeRieux

Fallbrook

Over-zealous prosecution

Re: "Judge dismisses contempt citation against Marines," Sept. 26: Sgts. Nelson and Weemer should not be going to trial. It appears that an overly zealous SJA (staff judge advocate) did a snow job on the convening authority.

Let's get back to the basics of good leadership, and the general officers should get out of the political arena. I believe many of these general officers making these decisions have never been "up in the face" of a real enemy. If they had, their decisions would be 180 degrees from what they are now.

Don Greenlaw

retired, U.S. Marine Corps

Oceanside