Bring troops home to boost our safety

Hey, why not bring our Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines and all their war toys back to the good old U.S.A.? Just think, they would then spend all that Defense Department funding directly in our anemic economy. Those scared citizens among us will feel warm and fuzzy with our military walking our streets and guarding our towns with well-armed garrisons. They could jail all those illegal bad guys and stop the graffiti-writing and round up all the gangs.

Think of all that maintenance money spent in our cities to fix ships, planes, tanks and all the other war toys. Think of all that building construction to house our military and their families. They could rebuild New Orleans instead of Baghdad. They would patrol our borders with all those killing toys now used in Afghanistan.

Hey, we could spend less taxes by not needing that huge Home Security Department. Finally, don't send any more tax dollars to other countries; send them to North County. I got the above great suggestions by mental telepathy with my free-ranging chickens.

Tony San Miguel

Vista

Re-enactment was educational experience

On March 8, I attended the Civil War re-enactment in Vista. It was as though I relived history. I gained so much information for the Civil War novel that I'm writing, and I can't thank the participants enough for answering all of my questions so graciously. I'm indebted to the city of Vista for having such an event. And also to the people who are so knowledgeable and creative. The work that goes into a venture such as this is tremendous. They are everyday folks like you and me who love what they are doing. Their authentic crafts are something to behold.

I especially admired the teenagers who took part in the demonstrations. They explained their weapons in detail and answered all my questions. I was pleased to see so many children at the event. Their interest was evident by the questions they asked.

I know these re-enactments take place all over the country, but it's nice to know that there's one in Vista that can take you back in time: the hoop skirts, the bonnets, the uniforms … a way of life.

Thank you, Vista.

Jean Carroll

Carlsbad

Latest Mideast argument a real winner

I have read some absurd reasons why Jews should be able to "reclaim" the land that God-the-real-estate-agent promised them in the Old Testament, but Brandon Webb's letter of March 18 takes the prize. Mr. Webb writes that the land was once lost to the Assyrians and the Babylonians, which gives Israel the right to take it away from the Palestinians.

This makes as much sense as if the American Indians would demand their land back; it was their "God-given" land to begin with. (Perhaps the Israelis could placate the Palestinians by allowing them to open a few casinos.) What the Jews did after World War II was absolutely wrong. Their greed and lust for this land is inexcusable.

As far as the Palestinians and their suicide bombers? They are a poor country with few resources against the giant Israel. Consequently, the only weapon they have is to sacrifice themselves in a war against a horrible, war-mongering country of land thieves.

What a wonderful, peaceful world we could have if religion were eliminated.

Gary Miller

Oceanside

Leftist media protects Dems, attacks GOP

What a surprise that a professional columnist hasn't a clue about media bias! Kathleen Parker blames attacks by the right for the demise of newspapers ("Connecting free press to free society," March 15). She claims talk-show audiences are uninformed. … Surveys have proven that Rush's listeners are better informed about political issues.

Two examples of media bias: Five days before the election, Charlie Rose and Tom Brokaw were reminiscing on air about how they didn't know Obama. … But isn't it the job of the media to investigate politicians? It's obvious that rather than vet him, the media protected Obama. But they sure could go after Republican Sarah Palin!

In an Associated Press story from Sept. 8, 2007, Robert Weller wrote about fugitive Norman Hsu ("Disgraced Democratic fundraiser in custody at Colorado hospital"). In the last paragraph, Weller writes Hillary Clinton received $23,000 from Hsu (upped to $850,000 in a Sept. 11 brief, "Clinton to return donations from Hsu"). A Republican presidential candidate would have been named in a front-page headline in both stories.

This is quite normal for the leftist media, protecting Democrats and relentlessly pursuing and attacking Republicans while exposing readers to left-wing propaganda like Parker#'s column.

Dave English

Oceanside

Mornings won't be the same

Each morning, I sit and enjoy a hot cup of coffee, a doughnut and the morning newspaper. I saw in this morning's North County Times that another newspaper is going out of print and will be available to the reader only on the Web.

Somehow, I cannot imagine a hot cup of coffee, a doughnut and a computer being the same.

Clifford Wiersma

Escondido

Reclaimed water is visionary idea

Californians are the most inventive, creative and visionary people on earth and when we see a problem, we don't just search for an answer â€"â€" we implement it as well.

The answer to Southern California agriculture's lack of water stares us straight in the face and as we stand by ignoring it, millions of gallons of water flow out to sea daily. Yes, good, useful reclaimed water is flowing out to sea by the millions of gallons daily from our numerous wastewater facilities up and down our coast. Why? Because we're either idiots or uninformed and too lazy to implement the system to transport that water to where it's needed and needed right now! …

We have an opportunity today to reclaim the water that is being wasted. True, it will take some investment, but if you trace the current infrastructure, much of a pathway to the groves and fields is already in place. It's just taking advantage of it and interconnecting separate systems.

It's time to become visionaries once again and become more efficient using the water God has given us.

James "Jimmy" Knott

member, Drought Fee Structure Task Force and

Integrated Water Utilities Master Plan Citizens

Advisory Committee

Oceanside

Do we already have a dog beach?

I was a little perplexed by two letters in the North County Times on March 2. But, after rereading them, I thought, "Aw shucks, these women are just joking around and being sarcastic." Debbie Fisher wrote that the existing dog park in Oceanside is too dangerous and not up to standards for her little pooper, who needs water to play in. And Lezlie Metcalf thinks a dog beach will attract rich people to Oceanside, a la Del Mar.

I also saw the full-color front page of the North County Times on March 12 ("Dog beach group sees an opening"). It looks like Hugh Foley's two dogs already have a dog beach. Hmmm. Did the law change?

Shirley Coates

Oceanside

Dogs are for companionship, exercise

It appears to me that some people think that dog owners walk their dogs out in public for the sole purpose of pooping.

Most of us walk our dogs for exercise and companionship, and 98 percent of us pick up after our dogs.

William Lyons

Oceanside

Put the puzzles back where they were

My wife and I have always enjoyed doing the crossword puzzles everyday in your print edition. Lately, they are hard to fold into a workable size because they are placed all over the page instead of in a corner. Also, they are either side by side or back to back so we cannot work on them at the same time.

We realize that there have been reductions in staff recently because whoever plans the puzzle page obviously is not a puzzle person. Hope you can go back to your old way of laying them out so we can each have our own puzzle to work on at the same time. Thank you for your help.

Nicholas Hareson

Vista

Claims of racism are tiresome

In the article, "Compensation cut for police officers," March 19, criticism was leveled against the police officers union, charging that their PR poster was racist. What did the poster portray? Tattooed gang members flashing gang signs. Is gang violence an important issue in Escondido? Yes. Are most gang members of a particular ethnicity? Oh, sorry. My point is that claims of racism at every turn are wearing me out.

The police poster depicted reality, however inconvenient or politically incorrect. Deal with it. Turn your focus on protecting the citizens of your city, instead of creating a forum for your PC agenda.

Bob Hunsaker

Escondido

Unions can prevent teacher layoffs

With reference to all the pink slips that go out to school employees: It would be easy to prevent any layoffs if unions would agree on a 5 percent pay cut and to decrease benefits to a decent level, more in line with what normal citizens get.

If, in addition, the pink slips would go first to teachers wh can retire already, we would save even more money. Most senior teachers are most probably the most expensive ones. It would be even better if pink slips could be sent based on performance! All those crocodile tears about the poor students who are victimized because of money shortage and the poor teachers who lose their jobs mean nothing, as long as teacher unions are not willing to accept the reality of the economy and are unwilling to "change" too!

Walter Koenig

Oceanside

Right/left on Israel/Palestine

The Israeli/Palestinian problem is complex, splitting American politics across and within the parties.

The right-wing vehemently supports Israel, supporting the adage "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" â€"â€" a calculated position. They obfuscate with puffery: defending the area's only democracy. The dirty secret is the role Israel plays in the Christian fundamentalist story: Israel falls during Armageddon. What a false friend; setting up Israel for their fanciful Christian notions.

Israel's demographics show their internal Arab population dominating their democracy soon, if there's no Palestinian nation. The famed "95 percent offer" refused by Arafat was a bad deal. As if someone took your house, then gave back 95 percent â€"â€" but kept the doorways and the toilets.

The left has always supported Israel, and always will. Most American Jews are liberal. The progressive left sees that Israel must relatively quickly achieve a stable two-state solution. There is worry over aggressive settlement and colonization, and the ill will generated by the status quo.

The left's concerns are for Israel's long-term safety and survival. The solution lies in a fair agreement that brings peace, stability, and relative prosperity to all. This will defuse much world-wide Arab hostility and undercut al-Qaida and radical support.

Richard Crews

Encinitas

No apology for flier distributed in Escondido

I would like to thank the Escondido police organization for not apologizing for the flier that was distributed recently.

I feel that the pamphlet accurately portrayed representative populations of the police, and the criminals who should be brought to justice. I feel that any individual who would take offense to this flier is in extreme denial.

Furthermore, an "offended" individual who would take action against the publishing of this flier is infringing upon citizens' First Amendment rights.

These modern times have birthed a more insidious extortion than any Mafia has ever dreamed. Small focus groups of attention-seeking individuals are taking it upon themselves to decide for the world what is acceptable in speech and literature. They attempt to hold the public image of "offenders" hostage in exchange for a ransom of public apologies and public firings, which never result in satisfaction.

The only way to stop those who would take First Amendment rights into their own realm of judgment is to stand behind the accuracy of what was portrayed. Again, I would like to thank the Escondido police for doing just that. I wish them all the luck and all the success in defending citizens' rights.

Bryan Perez

Chula Vista

Just the beginning

Re: "Compensation cut for police officers," March 19: It is too bad, but this is just the beginning. The most earned by Americans yearly was in 2000-01. Americans are earning less per year now! Home values in our area â€"â€" especially in San Marcos â€"â€" are most definitely going lower. And when that day gets here, look out!

For what our local cities earn, everyone, including our wonderful police, is just getting paid too much.

Ismael Maldonado

Valley Center

Keep pet ownership personal

The other day I received my city of Oceanside utility bill. Enclosed was a flier regarding the city's clean water program. On the back is a section titled "Did You Know That … " which details storm-drain issues. In the section "What can I do?" the second suggestion states, "Pick up pet waste promptly â€"â€" it transmits disease."

I believe this statement, coming from the city, should be indicative of the future of any dog beach. People don't want to recreate in animal waste. Keep your dogs out of our water. I believe the city has spoken.

Owning a dog is a very personal, selfish (in the strictest sense of the word, for one's self) relationship between the owner and his/her pet. Keep it that way â€"â€" to yourself. Those who do share this relationship should not have to cope with the dog owner's mind-set that, "Oh, isn't my Buffy cute?" The answer is no.

Scott St. Morris

Oceanside