A good man to lead our country

Why haven't I see one word in my paper, the North County Times, about Ralph Nader's recent announcement that he is running as an Independent for president of the United States? Finally, a good man to lead our country! Please support his candidacy.

Darlene Dittus

Encinitas

Local generation is more efficient

I guess the SDG&E faithful have cornered the market on common sense. Mayors Cafagna and Desmond don't want you to be confused by the facts put forth by the experts at the CPUC hearings regarding the Sunrise Powerlink ("Support common sense, and the Sunrise Powerlink," Community Forum, Feb. 24).

If the renewable energy in the Imperial Valley were already available, it would be able to flow to San Diego over the Southwest Powerlink. The only problem is that the Southwest Powerlink is already congested with fossil-fueled energy that SDG&E/Sempra is not willing to replace with renewables.

The experts say that some of the five environmentally superior alternatives listed in Sunrise Powerlink's draft environmental impact report are also more efficient and less costly. Sunrise is clearly not the best solution to meeting our energy needs, it is simply the most profitable for SDG&E - ratepayers and constituents be damned.

In fact, Sunrise will undermine our ability to achieve many of the goals of the state's energy action plan and the San Diego regional energy strategy, like maximizing local and distributed generation, local renewables and increased efficiency and conservation. Cleaner local generation is less-damaging, more efficient and lower risk. …

Laura Copic

Carmel Valley

Multicultural food for thought

Regarding the "Little Mexico in Fallbrook" letter, Feb. 24, objecting to Fresh & Easy Market#'s intent to provide foods that cater to the area's sizable Latino population: I wonder if letter-writer Bridget Canchola would be equally offended by the presence of English muffins, Swiss chocolate, Italian lasagna, French bread, Polish sausage, Danish pastries, Irish whiskey, German chocolate cake and other presumably un-American foods?

Instead of lauding Fresh & Easy#'s shrewd targeted marketing decision that will bring revenue to her community, Ms. Canchola whines, "I thought the Latinos were going to merge with the Caucasian-Americans." A merger implies a sharing of cultures. She#'s not interested in a merger, she#'s pining for Caucasian domination of other cultures.

Wake up and smell our wonderful multicultural society. Latinos and other non-Caucasian-Americans have the right to eat, live and flourish in the community and country we all call home. Together, si, se puede!

Marilyn Campbell

Oceanside

Leucadia is a happy town

The North Highway 101 Streetscape workshops were a huge success. I want to thank the consultants, M.W. Peltz & Associates, and Dan Burden and his team for making it fun and for actually understanding what the community of Leucadia wants. I think from the first night all of us who attended the first workshop were amazed that they want to recanopy, slow down traffic and make our community walkable, while keeping the eclectic vibe that makes it so charming.

Thank you also to Councilwomen Maggie Houlihan and Teresa Barth for being there, and also our City Manager Phil Cotton. Special thanks to Diane Langager from Planning who arranged the meetings and who was delightful.

Leucadia is happy today. The only thing that could make us happier is having the orange sandbags gone at the railroad crossing (hint, hint, NCTD) and actually lowering the train below grade.

Rachelle Collier

Leucadia

Peace, and no more Brooks

Regarding David Brooks' column about Barack Obama ("Obama comedown syndrome," Opinion, Feb. 20): We know David is a Republican and his remarks are often out of order, but this time he has gone over the top. Does he have positive information for the accusations against Barack Obama and use of his funding? I would like to see that. What is his problem, anyway?

We don't want to read anymore reports that he writes. This one is so insulting to everyone, and most of all to Barack Obama. Show us the proof before you write accusations again, Mr. Brooks.

Thank goodness Barack Obama does have confidence. It appears to me that David Brooks is the one with no confidence, he just attacks without proof and never seems to express any truth. I am writing The New York Times about his lack of courtesy and failed reporting. This is not the first time David Brooks has stepped over the line in his opinions. We all have a right to express but he is insulting. Peace, and no more David Brooks.

Maralyn Johnson

Rancho Bernardo

A good move, but more help is needed

Thanks to the Carlsbad City Council for funding a homeless shelter for men in Carlsbad ("Farmworker shelter project gets partial funding," Feb. 20). I hope there will be funding for a shelter for women and children, too. The cold, windy, stormy winter weather at night reminds us of those who suffer such deprivation in our rich country. Not only is it compassionate to provide shelter, but we all benefit from better public health (e.g.: I prefer my veggies and berries being picked by a healthy person with access to toilets, sinks and showers, so we have a safer food supply).

However, I am concerned that $2 million of tax money was given to a church - Catholic Charities. I hope attending religious services is not a requirement for shelter and that young men are protected from sexual predators. Also, if some of these men are in the U.S.A. illegally, I assume that they will be assisted in obtaining a type of guest worker visa.

Nora La Corte

Carlsbad

Department's efforts supported 100 percent

Regarding the recent sweep by the Escondido Police Department targeting criminal illegal aliens (other than those having committed the crime of entering the United States illegally) ("Escondido criminal illegal immigrant sweep the first of its kind," Feb. 23), Isay bravo! I would like also to nominate Sam Abed for president. He realizes, as our current president does not, that unless we confront and defeat the Mexican invasion, we Americans shortly will lose our country as we have known and loved it.

Additionally, I'd be interested in the motivation of El Grupo spokesman Bill Flores. One would think that, as a former police officer, he would be supportive of efforts to enforce our laws. The contrary seems to be the case. Why? He laments police action aimed at apprehending criminal aliens as "poor public policy for a law enforcement agency." I wonder what Senor Flores would have us do about these folks? Apologize to them? He also alleges that these actions are "alienating Latino residents." Well, Senor Flores, I've news for you. Failure to take these actions would alienate a lot of non-Latino residents and probably many law-abiding Latino citizens as well.

So go for it, Chief Maher! I and at least 75 percent of the American citizenry support you 100 percent.

Charles Palmeter

Escondido

Anti-Mexican witch hunt

The stark and undeniable truth is that the silence of good people is permitting racism to thrive in Escondido. My "friends" who are well-informed about the environment, the Iraq war and justice seem to be totally oblivious about the effect that immigration politics has on persons of Mexican heritage in our town. We should remember the effect of our silence on the congressional decision to give the president power to go to war.

We should never forget the inexorably unspeakable consequences that silence has had throughout history. We should realize that the issue of immigration for many is just the pretext to marginalize and dehumanize an entire group of people, whether they are American citizens or not. [Many] people who look like Mexicans are now characterized as gang members, the worst criminals, intellectually and culturally inferior, at fault for failing schools, the bad economy and a variety of other social ills.

For those of you who have deluded yourself to believe that there is no need to speak, you are collaborators in a national disgrace. The present anti-Mexican witch hunt sounds sadly familiar to the internment camps and the civil rights struggles. Good Americans need to speak.

Tania Bowman

Escondido

McCain doesn't care about the environment

What can be more important, even urgent, at this point in time, than clean energy? Surely, the health of all, including our children and grandchildren, depends a great deal on just that - clean energy for a safe, healthy environment.

Yet, Sen. McCain, who has recently declared that he has "never betrayed the American trust," ducked a crucial vote on the future of clean energy, dooming to failure the measure that would have helped make renewable energy more affordable and accessible.

Wait a minute! Now we read that McCain was the only member of Congress to skip all 15 crucial environmental votes, grading him zero according to the 2007 National Environmental Scorecard from the League of Conservation Voters. This disappointing score shows that McCain sides again and again with the polluters and special interests, consistently absenting himself from important environmental votes. Arizona voters deserve better, and so do all of us!

Mary Ellen Gregg

Carlsbad

New fire stations are coming along

You may remember my letter last year about the slow-moving construction process of Escondido's three new fire stations that the voters passed in a ballot some years ago, better known as Proposition P.

Well, I am writing to inform you, the reader, about the progress that is taking place. First, I have driven by three of the sites, where there is always something the workers are doing to make it look like a genuine city fire station. The station on Ash Street just before you get to El Norte Parkway is coming along in an orderly fashion as the wood and hundreds of pieces of lumber are screwed in and the foundation cemented in place and they are working on phase two of the project, which is building the inside of the station's locker rooms where the firefighters will hang their street clothes.

The other station on Nutmeg Street behind the shopping center is coming along day by day. And they have already put the one-story parking structure firmly in place. Boy, has the fire and police come a long way by not striking out on the proposal.

Matt Ross

Escondido

What is the cause of gun massacres?

After repeating a litany of recent shootings, Joe Grant (Letters, Feb. 23) asks the question: "Will the gunpeople repeat their argument that the victims were to blame for not carrying guns to defend themselves?" I don't know how Joe made that gigantic leap of logic, to think that gun owners would blame the victims.

The blame is with nanny-state liberals such as Joe. They establish "gun-free zones" and expect that all will be sweetness and light. They deny people the opportunity to decide for themselves if they want to carry a weapon for self-protection.

But Joe again side-steps the larger question of why such events happen most often in this country and not in others. One can only conclude that he and the other nanny-staters don't want to go there.

Dan Shapiro

Oceanside

Delusions from the left

Garth Hansen is self-delusional (Letters, Jan 11 and Feb. 9). McCain … has criticized Bush's approach in fighting this jihadist-initiated war, and the successes of the surge have proved him correct. McCain has always steadfastly opposed torture, having experienced it himself.

J. Howard Crews' delusions continue (Letters, Feb. 20). Similar to Obama's bombing Pakistan statement, McCain's 100-year comment referred to a hypothetical future militant Islamic security threat, including Iran, less likely if we deal with it now. Crews should read "Iran's Proxy War Against America"… before making foolish statements about "nebulous unseen foes."

The tax code reveals that a married person making $60K is paying $7,800 less income taxes with Bush's tax cuts, and the equity in their home has doubled since 2000.

Contrary to Patricia Sharp's assessment (Letters, Feb. 3), these better-off middle class, moderate independents and disenchanted conservatives will vote for McCain when considering the alternative. … McCain can help us out of the looming recession on the Democrat Congress' watch by preventing the economic disasters that would result from programs proposed by a potential Democrat president.

Michael Campbell

Rancho Penasquito

Cuts adversely affecting quality of life

As a California resident, I am extremely concerned over the cuts being considered for our state budget. The two principal areas of concern to me are the possible dramatic decline in state funding for our educational system and diminished funding for our marvelous state park system.

We all know our future lies in our children; hence, the vital importance of their education. As our incomes diminish markedly we need the state parks as a place to go hiking and camping. How much is the funding of the war effort cutting into much-needed funding for the state governments?

Cheryl Alden

Solana Beach

Need for aggregate not a good reason

Why would a lack of permitted aggregate in San Diego County justify quarries in unacceptable locations? The proposed Liberty Quarry would affect 300,000 people in surrounding communities. There are other options. A Canadian company providing top-quality aggregate, already precertified by the state Department of Transportation, is "Polaris Minerals." They ship by barge to several ports along the California coast. Why not San Diego? Recently they entered into a long-term alliance with CEMEX, who transports their aggregate. CEMEX has port space in San Diego. Connect the dots! Polaris can ship aggregate 1,000 miles by water for the same cost as 25 miles by truck.

There is no down side. No environmental impacts. A Port Authority representative stated, "If it makes sense moving cargo via water, then we consider it to be a viable option … ." Karrie Reuther (Granite) said, "People don't understand the 'scope' of the project." We understand perfectly. We understand a 75-year open-pit mine, 1 mile wide, 1,000 feet deep operating 20-to-24 hours a day, six days a week. We understand traffic impacts from 1,600 truck trips a day on Interstate 15 from Rainbow Valley Boulevard. We understand diesel exhaust, blasting, crystalline silica dust invading children's lungs. We understand our communities becoming industrial areas. We understand destroying an ecological reserve that has existed in harmony for over 45 years near the quarry site.

Most of all, we understand the big bucks Granite will receive at the expense of our quality of life.

Jerri Arganda

Rainbow

New facility will serve many groups

Theater groups, music and singing groups, artists, actors and musicians, Musicians Workshop is calling out to you to join our community and business leaders to participate in the Grand Challenge - this facility is for you.

The Temecula Valley Cultural Arts & Music Center, located on the corner of Guava Street and Jefferson Avenue in Murrieta, is at the stage of building out the tenant improvements, and we need everyone's support to do it. This facility, with six office-size teaching/practice rooms, recording studio, and large classroom-size dance/band/performing arts studio offers the community a place to learn and teach music in a creative atmosphere.

Teachers and groups interested in sharing this facility should call Ron Kempton (951) 500-1997, or Jon and Jane Laskin at (951) 678-2517. For more information on programs and events visit www.MusiciansWorkshop.org.

Jon Laskin

Founder/CEO

Musicians Workshop and Cultural Arts & Music Center

Conservatives' hypocrisy worth a smile

One thing that perplexes, yet amuses me, is the conservative Republicans' mentality.

They become enraged at the thought of liberals wanting to tax and spend money that they feel belongs to them; even if those revenues are used to help the poor, children and elderly. At the same time, they have no qualms about the 500 billion or so dollars that their conservative president has squandered in a useless and deceitful war.

A good portion of conservatives happen to be good Christians. These good Christians believe in the sanctity of life, but not all life. They believe in capital punishment even if it is against their religion. They have supported a war that has killed hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis, not to mention Afghanis. I suppose those lives have no sanctity. I could go on.

Roy A. Di Vittorio

Menifee

Funny what's left unsaid about Castro

While the media report Fidel Castro's resignation, not a word has been mentioned about the anniversary of another Castro legacy - the illegal and conscious killing of four Americans, one who was a decorated Vietnam veteran, and one legal resident who were flying unarmed aircrafts while conducting a humanitarian mission for Brothers to the Rescue over international waters.

On Feb. 24, 1996, American civilian aircrafts over the Florida straights that were searching for rafters in desperate and dangerous conditions were shot down by Cuban MiGs under orders from Fidel Castro and Raul.

Brothers to the Rescue was founded in 1991, as a result of the thousands of Cubans perishing in the ocean while attempting to escape Cuba. After a 15-year-old boy died of dehydration fleeing Cuba on a raft, volunteer U.S. pilots began the organization with supporters from around the world.

So, as Castro is being credited for his accomplishments, shouldn't we also credit him and his brother for the downing of American planes and conscious and illegal killing of Americans in blatant violation of international law - all while the Clinton administration and the media stood silent?

Maria Regueiro

Temecula

Fresh from the Web:

Drop in home prices accelerating

Readers respond to our Feb. 27 story about San Diego posting the highest rate of home price depreciation in the nation during the fourth quarter of last year - losing more in three months than the national average of homes lost in one year, according to a housing report released Tuesday.

Realtors were wrong

Jack: I guess 100% of the realtors were wrong last year when they said, "Now is the best time to buy". My parrot is smarter than a realtor.

Buy two houses

…Good News: This is all good news. I think we are all going to be able to buy nicest houses for very attractive prices within a year or two. I think when the time is right, we should buy two houses…

Tougher times ahead

Concerned-1: There's been an anomaly in the market for the past six to eight months where new home prices are actually lower per square foot than existing homes. Another factor in the mix is affordability. The price per square foot of a home exceeded the average buyers income. These are tough times and I'm afraid there are tougher times ahead. Not the time for knee-jerk reactions from our body politic. There is money out there, and we do live in Southern California.

What's the flip side?

TC: Nobody is talking about the flip side - home values went UP a few years ago at a crazy pace! My home value doubled in less than two years! Unheard of…so this is just a correction. We will soon be back to the historical 5% up each year.

SMUSD to send pink slips to 120 employees

Readers respond to our Feb. 27 story about an emotional meeting that took place on Tuesday night where San Marcos Unified School District officials recommended sending pink slips to nearly 120 employees - everyone from teachers to bus drivers - in an effort to reduce a projected $9 million budget deficit in the upcoming school year.

Our priorities are off

Slappy: How come we as a nation cannot afford to pay our educators, yet we consistently make millionaires out of rappers, or some person that can throw or catch a ball? Perhaps our priorities are off a bit.

No surprises

Nutz: No surprise that I don't read of a single administrator position being cut - or reducing their salaries to contribute to the savings needed. Regarding the busing, if the district didn't provide this service free to most of the kids being bused it might be feasible that it pay for itself. Instead the district waives the costs for "financially challenged" families, which usually means those with parents that can't afford to pay because of their "legal" status, if you know what I mean.

Shame on you

…my SIX figure salary?…DON'T TOUCH IT!: It's a real shame administrators are NOT being part of the solution. Don't you think that even reducing all six figure salaries of ALL administrators for even a year could save a good …A MILLION DOLLARS? But of course, that would just be out of the question, because THEY are the ones making the suggestions and cuts. Shame on YOU Administrators.

Blame the state

Mike: Save the real anger for where it truly belongs - at the state level. We the voters have constantly stated that education is a priority, yet California's funding, if the projected cuts go through, will drop from 46th per capita to 49th per capita. How does this make education a priority?

Take away sports

Just curious: Why is no one willing to discuss cutting high school athletics? How much money could be saved by eliminating football, basketball, soccer, track, baseball, etc. Take this away from the schools and make them ALL club sports. Or is athletics more important then literacy?

Weed removal in San Luis Rey riverbed wraps up

Readers respond to our Feb. 27 story about crews wrapping up another season of removing an invasive tall weed in the San Luis Rey riverbed last week and replacing them with shrubs and trees that biologists say have always grown in the yawning watershed.

Kudos to MRCD!

sandiegonative: Kudos to the Mission Resource Conservation District (MRCD)! They have clearly outdone themselves in RESTORING almost four hundred acres of wetland habitat! They have removed an unwanted pest from our precious river, reduced the threat of fire and flood and restored California native plants to their right place! If the city of Oceanside would have followed the MRCD's lead they probably would be on their way to a safer community and a river that everyone (people and animals could enjoy!

Coffee break

Randy: Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda, and $3.25 will buy you a cup of coffee at Starbucks!

Clever

James: Clever, Randy! It's help like yours that makes the world what it is rather than what it could be.

Well worth it

Concerned-1: This is an effort that is well worth the money. Good job by MRCD and NCT for reporting.

Temecula Valley district officials roll out hard budget numbers

An article Wednesday about cuts that the Temecula Valley Unified School District plans to balance its budget in 2007-08 prompted some comments:

Don't give up

Dear Staff: Never give up working days or pay. You'll never get them back. Make them give the supply money back. Ask them how much savings there will be when 3 percent reserves are made into 1.5 percent.

Question class sizes

show me the numbers: Class-size reduction seems like a great thing, but is it? … I'm not saying it should be cut, I'm asking whether it's as useful as everyone thinks and therefore worth $3 million. …

Mixed metaphors

The Snark: 'Sacrificial cow?' I've heard of sacrificial lambs and sacred cows, but never sacrificial cows. And can a cow really be the elephant in the room? …

Brilliant

Wow, way to go TVUSD!: Wonder who thought that one up. It's brilliant! Force the staff (underlings) to not only forgo step & column increases but to also concede prep days to save three elementary schools. That way, they look like the bad guys … if they say no way. …

Three recommendations

Additional suggestions: … 1) School board trustees should give up their district-funded health insurance. 2) Cut administrative positions added at the district office last year. 3) District office (& perhaps all) administrators should agree to roll back their salaries to … 2006-07.