Competition should be part of school

Scott Harris' thought-provoking commentary ("Dodging reality in education today," July 6) reveals the alarming trend of thinking in many schools. He reports that banning red pens for grading and setting a minimum score of 50 percent in tests are already being practiced in some public school districts.

In Fairfax County, Va., the student earning the class valedictorian title is not acknowledged. All of these practices are ridiculous in that the thinking prevails that self-esteem problems are avoided among average or below-average students. The reality is that competition is part of adult life just as it should be in school. We are, indeed, deceiving students as they enter the labor market or seek a college education. Many graduating high school seniors encounter shock when they find that more than half of them entering the California State University system need remedial courses in English and/or math.

Grade inflation was well-illustrated at UCLA in 2006 when 40 percent of freshman applicants had GPAs of 4.0 or above. Is it any wonder that college admissions offices are forced to rely on SAT scores? Can't we begin a tougher grading system implemented by the states and adhered to by local school administrators?

Jack and Sally Pomeroy

Escondido

/b>Lack of concern remembered

I have been following with interest the ongoing saga of the proposed Valley Center Road. I saved a clipping from the December 1998 Rancho Bernardo Sun with a quote by Bill Horn so outrageous I want to share it with your VC readers: "County Supervisor Bill Horn, when asked for traffic solutions, apparently unaware that the median age in Rancho Bernardo is 37 years, replied, 'The people on the 1-15 corridor want it to stay the same and will fight to the end. Fortunately for us, most of them are old and they'll die soon.'"

Thanks for your concern, Bill.

Eileen Stanley

Rancho Bernardo

Just say no to drilling

John McCain has flip-flopped yet again, kowtowing to Bush's call for drilling off North County shores and other environmentally sensitive areas such as the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge.

High gas prices are not caused by insufficient drilling, but result directly from Bush/McCain policies such as devaluation of the dollar by the Bush Treasury Department; allowing oil companies to "sit on" millions of acres of already approved drilling sites; allowing oil drilled from federal leases to be sold to foreign markets such as China and India; deregulation of speculative investing in oil futures (spearheaded by former Sen. Phil Gramm R-TX, now McCain's top economic advisor). Also, the failure to enact higher CAFE standards; domestic fuel supplies diverted to the failed war in Iraq; and Iraqi oil production interrupted by resentful locals not greeting us as "liberators."

The solutions? Houses powered by solar panels, and new electric cars such as the Aptera being produced locally, in Carlsbad. Many "can't do" pessimists say these are not feasible, but they are a reality now. Wouldn't it be nice to smile and wave as you drive your solar-charged car past gas stations? To Bush and McCain demanding more drilling, just say no!

Douglas Dunn

Escondido

McCain knows nothing about economics

John-George McCain-Bush did it again. Last week he stated that private industry always does it cheaper and more efficiently than government agencies, a main tenet of conservatives. A dozen studies estimate the cost of Medicare at worst 8 percent, at best 2 percent, compared with nonprofit insurers at 16 percent and for-profits at 30 percent; he needs to do the math.

Halliburton feeding our troops at $28 per meal delivered, versus the active military chefs at $4 per meal delivered, doesn't make sense to me. Army truck drivers delivering fuel earning $40,000 per year is a bargain compared with Halliburton drivers' $120,000-per-year salary. Blackwater mercenaries protecting our diplomats at $140,000 per year versus Green Berets at $60,000 kinda makes one think of the words "war profiteering."

Privatization of IRS tax collection offers a 25 percent commission on taxes collected vs. standard IRS collection of back taxes costs of under 3 percent. … Privatization fuels profits that are criminal. Privatization also hides expenses from view, rather than the transparency needed to analyze the real cost of a war. Think about that before pulling the voting lever on the third Bush term.

Jerry Sarnataro

Fallbrook

Homosexual propaganda

Regarding, "Enlightened societies accept homosexuals," Letters, July 7: It still astounds me how intelligent readers can be misled, deceived and hoodwinked about the homosexual agenda. Mr. Straw states, "Enlightened societies accept homosexuality," then never gives us one example. Of course, there are no examples because this statement is untrue, but it does sound good. Great societies of the past have always tolerated homosexuality, but never accepted it. There has never been a society in the history of mankind that has ever even remotely entertained same-sex marriage.

Straw states that a church has the right to refuse a same-sex marriage ceremony. Really? Readers, are you aware that in April of this year, it was reported that in New Mexico, Elane Photography LLC was fined $6,600 for refusing, on religious grounds, to take photos of a same-sex wedding? It's only a matter of time until churches become involved/trapped in this insanity. …

People have to start realizing that their rights to freedom of speech, religion, assembly, equal protection, bathroom privacy have already been severely limited, if not prohibited, in these United States because of the homosexual agenda.

Frank Lancelotti

Oceanside

Talk to candidate before making assumptions

Since the North County Times declined to print my reply to David Cline's attack on Olga Diaz (Letters, June 19), I will attempt to resubmit it. David assumes that since Olga is Hispanic, she is the illegal-alien candidate. Those smear tactics were used on her the first time she ran for office. It's a cheap shot David is taking, at best. … Come on, Dave. Take the time to talk to Olga before making assumptions.

Since Max Hagan (Letters, July 1) took the time to ask me if I knew anything about Jimmy Carter's connection to the Saudis, I have to ask him if he has ever seen a family prostitute themselves to the Saudis as well as the Bush family does? Max, your radio dial is too far to the right.

Thomas Cowan Jr.

Escondido

Family ties strengthened

My brother the other day announced that he and his partner have obtained a marriage license. We could not be happier! They have been together at least 15 years and are the epitome of a happy couple.

In talking about my family, I have struggled with how to refer to my brother's other half. Obviously "partner" works well, but he is more than that to me. Occasionally I would refer to him as my brother-in-law but, in the back of my mind, I would always say to myself that is not true, because they cannot get married. The fact that they can now legally get married makes my family so happy and proud. He is part of our family and now it will be legally binding.

This makes me think about many other families out there who are proudly welcoming in-laws into their families. With this in mind, I implore the voters in California to vote no on the ban of same-sex marriage in November. Remember that, not too long ago, our country banned mixed-race marriage. Now let us move forward with allowing same-sex couples to get married.

Nanci Oechsle

Vista

No Faith & Values page

The North County Times provides a service to our community by giving us a place to express political views on the Opinion page, religious views on the Faith & Values page, but needs to add another page, No Faith & Values, for those people to express their views. That way they will not feel a need to criticize the opinions of those who do have standards they believe in.

Victor Bothmann

Oceanside

Planning today for our health care

It is distressing to read some citizens are refusing to support the bond Proposition A to improve, renovate and reconstruct Tri-City hospital. .. In 1957, the people of the three communities selected trusted leadership to oversee the completion of the hospital's construction by 1961. Yet, the core building (center building) was not constructed per seismic mandate (SB 1953).

Since I have served on the hospital's Mission and Community Outreach Committee for several years, I have attended many meetings concerning the hospital's construction, renovation and reconstruction. In these meetings, consultants and the hospital board and administration discussed costs and the most reasonable way to proceed … to meet the 2013 deadline to complete these enhancements. This bond, Prop. A, will expand capacity of the emergency department, intensive care unit … women's and children's services … and other general surgery services.

The hospital leaders work diligently with LAFCO (Local Agency Formation Commission) and the Shadowridge community, which supports the hospital and desires to annex to the hospital district. … Tri-City hospital is one of the best hospitals in the area. … Vote yes on the bond Prop. A.

Mary Lou Clift

Vista

Let new development pay for its water

State law requires water agencies to declare there is sufficient water before approving developments over 500 units. You wouldn't know it existed, watching their ongoing approval of new development and Supervisor Horn's promotion of his 3,000-unit Valley Center project while supply shortages force farmers out of business and upcoming rate hikes coerce "conservation."

It's ironic that an East County water district will supply Colorado River water for doubling the size of an Indian casino instead of requiring use of reservation wells, which adversely affects neighboring wells. No one mentions that we still have not made up for the cutbacks in our Colorado River allotment, in spite of what you hear about new agreements with Imperial Irrigation District. The additional water needed will come from all of us.

Fallbrook (FPUD) is the only district in the county with plans to curtail annexations and require new development to pay for measures to supply their own water if conditions worsen. They are to be commended for recognizing the unfairness of existing regulations â€"â€" and complying with state law. We require new development to pay for traffic impacts â€"â€" why not their own water?

Glenn Carroll

Fallbrook

Prop. 2 supports family farmers

Voting yes on Proposition 2 means preventing cruelty to animals and healthier food for us. It's simply wrong to confine veal calves, breeding pigs and egg-laying hens in tiny cages barely larger than their bodies. Calves are tethered by the neck and can barely move, pigs in severe confinement bite the metal bars of their crates, and hens get trapped and even impaled in their wire cages.

All animals, including those raised for food, deserve humane treatment. Besides, who would want to eat an animal raised in these conditions? Cramming tens of thousands of animals into tiny cages fosters the spread of animal diseases that may affect people. Prop. 2 is better for animals â€"â€" and for us.

Voting yes on Prop. 2 prevents animal cruelty, promotes food safety, supports family farmers and protects the environment.

Leslie Davies

Oceanside

Carlsbad church makes history

On Sunday, June 22, Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Carlsbad helped to make California history by performing marriage ceremonies for four pairs of same gender. The first was early morning, the second was mid-afternoon, the third later afternoon and the last was early evening. The first couple had been together for 30 years, the second for 16 years and the other two couples had been together for several years. They were all ecstatic, and those attending were very happy for them.

Rocky Velgos would have liked to have been alive to attend and see how far California has come in granting equality to all people.

Roger Fox

Carlsbad

Clark baloney

"Weasley" Clark has done it again. How this guy ever achieved a rank higher than second lieutenant is beyond this grizzled old Marine. His mouth would not last five minutes in any Marine organization.

Where in the heck does he get the gall to criticize McCain for his military service? McCain has more courage and know-how in his little finger than this … Air Force retiree whose only claim to fame was running a war from 30,000 feet and never getting his hands dirty. God help us if this is the type of man the Democrat Party is looking for as leadership. He could not even lead a squad of baloney sandwiches.

William Ficere

retired, U.S. Marine Corps

Escondido

Chuck Baldwin is the people's candidate

Many, if not most, Americans are very disappointed with the two major candidates who emerged from the primaries. We have the young, inexperienced socialist against the very old neo-con. The good, constitutional, pro-American sovereignty candidates were squashed by their respective parties in favor of the Council on Foreign Relations-backed and chosen candidates.ˇ

Many people are already resigned again to vote for the lesser of two evils on Nov. 4. But wait, who is this guy Chuck Baldwin running on the Constitution Party (AIP in California) ticket? He seems to have come out of nowhere with his constitutional views about reforming all the major issues crippling America today. I had never heard of him, but then, when I researched him and watched his videos at www.Baldwin2008.com, I found I agreed with 99 percent of Chuck's common-sense, Founding Father's views as to how American should run and prosper.ˇ

Dr. Baldwin is truly an amazing man and encompasses all the best qualities of Ron Paul, Tom Tancredo, Lou Dobbs, Roger Hedgecock and other straight-talking American patriots. Before you make your choice in this presidential race, check out Chuck Baldwin. He's head and shoulders above all the other candidates. He's got my vote!

Jeff Schwilk

San Diego Minutemen

Vista

Does religion equal morality?

Kathryn Marler's letter (July 8) was subtle religious bigotry. She says (referring to the movement behind the Protection of Marriage amendment), "Who is better to lead the people of California than the moral and religious leaders of this nation?" The implicit but bigoted message is there for all to see: Religion equals morality. Religious leaders are, for some reason, uniquely qualified to speak on moral matters.

I have a question for Ms. Marler: Why do the secular countries of Europe have far lower crime rates than the U.S. does? I do not concede for one moment that believing in God, Allah, Zeus, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, etc., makes one morally superior. It is â€"â€" dare I say â€"â€" an elitist claim.

Jack Davis

Carlsbad

Over-population has caused water crisis

We haven't got enough water for our state, not enough gas for our country, not enough education, health care or food for the world. Yet the news tells us of extreme population growth. In the U.S., this comes from birth rate and immigration.

Actually our U.S. citizen birthrate is not very extreme, but our immigration is out of control. May I suggest that we limit immigration to zero until we can absorb those here already and can maintain a negative birthrate. Then I would promote balancing the incoming populace to the outgoing populace (death rate) in order to keep the population stable.

It seems to me that very few things could not be improved with less world population. It may not be politically correct to discuss, but if someone does not address it, our Earth and future generations will suffer for it.

Gina Lovin

Vista

Transit costs concern him

After building the $478 million Sprinter, due to lack of funds, the North County Transit District is eliminating and/or reducing schedules for the Breeze buses, as well as Coaster schedules. Whenever I'm out and about, I look and observe the buses practically, if not completely, empty, regardless of time of day. I've seen two Sprinters en route, and they were also practically empty.

While subsidizing public transportation may be a taxpayer's obligation, I'd like to know the monthly cost at $5 a gallon just for diesel fuel to feed all these practically empty vehicles? Where is the accountability? I ask the public officials who have control, am I missing something? Maybe I'm the only one concerned?ˇ

Henry Sanford

San Marcos

Gas forcing us back in time

What a headline! "Costly oil cramps surfers' lifestyle, roils industry," July 8. And this is only the beginning of being "cramped."

Our gas-powered lifestyle is little more than 100 years old. Yet now petroleum is part of everything we need or want: clothes, food, transportation, utilities. You name it. In 1900, the United States had 100 miles of paved road, and not even one gasoline-powered car to drive on it. People traveled by horse and by foot or bicycle, a fairly new invention. The next 100 years gave us our technologically based, easy-living lifestyle: gas-powered mowers, no-iron shirts, forced-air heating.

But fossil fuels are not infinite. Supply diminishes as our demand increases and other nations begin to use their share. I predict a decline to match the rise. That is, I believe in another 100 years we will be back to horse-and-buggy, pot-bellied stoves and sad irons. Well, maybe not the sad irons. Few of us will be around to see it, but there will be many adjustments along the way we can all share.

Meanwhile, I think I'll travel. There is a lot of world I want to see before airplanes become an expensive novelty.

Dolores Welty

Encinitas

Two subjects

Two totally unrelated subjects: 1. People who leave their telephone number on your answering machine need to remember that soft/low tones and fast recitation of those numbers don't result in returned calls.

2. China just bought an oil field off Norway. Question: What prevents the U.S. from buying and operating a state-operated oil field, reducing the impact of cost-increasing oil companies and speculators?

John Lynn

Carlsbad

Use common sense on spending

Whenever a steady rain falls from the sky, the average unprotected person will logically seek shelter to prevent themselves from getting soaked. Whatever they were doing ceases until the weather clears for them.

This same common-sense action has to be applied to our economic crisis. The effects of our supply-and-demand economy aren't trickling down anymore; they're pouring rain, and it's financially soaking everyone needlessly.

People, it's time you seriously put a real value on everything you purchase and set limits on how much you will pay for them, especially your conveniences. For everything, your first question should be, "Is it really worth this price?" If not, look for something that is, or wait until it meets your decided price limit. Let common sense, not excuses, prevail in all your purchasing decisions and usages. Currently, your actions are allowing the rain to fall without end.

Unless you rethink your decisions, as the ultimate user, your costs will continue to increase. Only common-sense purchasing and utilization will stop this rain and return clear skies. The choice is yours. Wisely self-create some shelters, or illogically allow yourselves to get totally soaked.

Richard Matthews

Escondido

Let Powerlink follow the highway

Regarding the Powerlink transmission: I see continuing articles, pro and con, but not a consideration of simply following Highway 8. The diagrams I have seen show the power line crossing Highway 8 in the Imperial Valley. Perhaps I missed it, but will someone give a logical explanation for discarding that possibility?

John McGowen

Fallbrook

Resources priorities?

On July 3, it was reported that the Oceanside City Council approved unanimously a thumbs-up to build 158 condos, against the neighbors' objections ("Developer can build 158 condos near Oceana"). Our resources are already compromised, our water is on the low end, even now. We at San Luis Rey Homes have already voluntarily started to conserve water. The City Council just approved weeks before to conserve water.

I agree with the 29 citizens wanting to deny this project. Our governor of California has told California citizens to conserve.

Patricia Goslin

Oceanside