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 â€"â€" instead of the fat cats who are behind the whole mess â€"â€" 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 â€"â€" 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) â€"â€" 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 â€"â€" 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