More cross words over crosswords

Touche to Tom Tietz for writing in about the placement of the crossword puzzles! ("Folding paper makes some cross," Letters, Jan. 6). I'm an avid crossword fan and this has annoyed and bothered me, too! It's so nice to just fold the page in half and have a puzzle on the top and one on the bottom.

Women also get cranky about small things! Thanks, Tom!

Bonnie Dutting

Temecula

Thanks to legislators for tackling problem

This is in regards to Richard Kirk's column, "Threat of the evil plastic bags," Dec. 30. While the issues he pointed out are quite relevant, there's no need to belittle just as important problems.

For example, we know that the economy is in dire straits, but in the bigger picture, so is the environment. Plastic bags are hazardous and are not just a trivial matter. They pollute our Earth, and approximately 500 billion to 1 trillion are used worldwide annually.

How much "definitive evidence of the environmental damage" does he need? Isn't it obvious? The bags release toxic chemicals and clog drains. They are seen in oceans where they kill sea creatures and mar their natural habitat.

Kirk may say our legislators have "nothing else to do," but on the contrary, legislators who have finally taken it upon themselves to address this issue should be commended.

This may not affect us in the near future, but it'll affect future generations if we don't act now. Politics are temporary, but the Earth's troubles will last many, many more decades if not centuries. I am only 14, but I would like my children and grandchildren to live in a healthy environment.

Iliana Salazar-Dodge

Student, Temecula Valley High School

Temecula

Doesn't everyone deserve love?

I'm a very opinionated person and I believe Proposition 8 shouldn't have been passed. It takes away the rights of so many people, like one of my friends. She was supposed to get married to the love of her life, Sarah, and I was supposed to be the maid of honor. This issue caused so much distress and ruckus because many people couldn't stand the sight of seeing a woman with a woman and a man with a man.

Doesn't everyone deserve, no matter what sexuality they are, to live a happy life with someone they love and cherish?

Jessica Gallup

Student, Temecula Valley High School

Temecula

The paper is just right

Recent letters by David Kolk ("Paper is way too far right," Jan. 6), followed by Kenneth Leon ("Letter writer correct about paper's shift," Jan. 9) both castigating The Californian for being too conservative. This prompts a response from those of us who feel quite differently about this.

Both Kolk and Leon come out of the closet as the flaming liberals that they are. Their philosophical presuppositions are weighed in the balance and found wanting. By now, most of us who are in the know, know that liberalism, materialism, naturalism, humanism, Darwinism and relativism are the basis for our many problems in society. I guess you could also throw in greed, dishonesty, perversion and general immorality.

I find the letters to the editor to be generally well-balanced, and Kolk and Leon should have no complaints … at least their letters were published. The Opinion page is balanced as well, with opinions coming from both political persuasions. If I had my say, we would move more to the right, and not the left. In any event, The Californian does its best to cover all bases and at the same time be fair, open and unbiased.

If Kolk and Leon are not happy with our great paper, then there are many other newspapers that come to mind that will satisfy their liberal persuasion. Perhaps they could focus on "peer reviewed" articles. In the meantime, I would encourage them both to question their underlying presuppositions and stop bashing a fine newspaper like The Californian.

Edward Vargo

Temecula

Show some respect for national anthem

As a musician with more than 40 years of performance experience, a music educator for over 20 years, and a personal friend of a descendant of the composer, I believe I have the right to make the following observation.

I am going to keep this really simple for the "stars" who perform at our sporting events and hopefully for our future "stars." "The Star Spangled Banner" is our national anthem, not a Top 40 hit. It is not rock, R&B, gospel or any other contemporary form of musical literature.

Quit screwing it up with your self-important renditions, and sing the piece the way it was written! It's not yours, it's ours!

Bryan Boos

Murrieta