Where is the concern for the environment?

My concerns regarding the Sunrise Powerlink: I live in Santa Ysabel, the area directly affected by the Powerlink. I've experienced the devastation firsthand previous wildfires have brought to the land and people. The Witch Creek fire [may have been] caused by SDG&E's power lines being blown in the wind. SDG&E cannot guarantee this will not happen again. If they can't protect the land and community from the power lines that already exist, they should not be allowed to bring this major threat to our fragile backcountry.

What about the pollution problem with bringing dirty technology that promotes more greenhouse gases for our environment? Is money all that matters, do the people of Sempra Energy care only about themselves, do they ever give a thought to the many people who lost their homes, animals and lives to those fires? Get a conscience, Sempra ññ and you, Arnold Schwarzenegger, don't be a hypocrite. Your landmark legislation, AB32, and your claim to have a vision for reducing greenhouse gases are on the line.

Jan Narrin

Santa Ysabel

After 30 years, room is now wrong?

I have lived in my home for 10 years. I bought it in 1998, my first home. … The house, built in 1951, sits on Juniper. I haven't changed or built anything. I take care of my yard, pay property taxes (on time) and work hard. Now the city is forcing me to build a carport, permit a room that has been a room for 30 or more years (hence, garage conversion), is telling me I can't park in my driveway and I can't have a spa that's not even hooked up. Is this America? What happened to the American dream?

I'm single, my daughter and granddaughter live with me. I work two jobs caregiving. I desperately need some answers. I'm trying to comply to things I shouldn't have to do, and the city finds something wrong everywhere I turn.

Michele Glenn

Escondido

Robber barons better than busybodies

Having read some of the liberal pap in the letters column over the last several days, I'm reminded of a quote by C. S. Lewis: "Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."

Dan Shapiro

Oceanside

Time for the living to end this war

Five years ago, consumed by unwarranted retribution and moved onward by callous exhortations like shock and awe, America marched to battle with little introspection of its implications. With the naivete of children who had been given the levers of war to control, the ensuing destruction became a mere stage spectacle for consumption by a people celebrating the raw power of artificial conviction.

To this day, the collateral damage remains hidden from sight by manipulators who have never known war nor cared to understand its lessons. Their only sacrifices being the imposition of watching others die for their sins. Testified to by the blood of thousands on the false assumption that we were endangered by a tyrant of our own making, many now argue the practical limitations of our occupation, i.e., money. Notwithstanding that logic, how is it that so many saw nothing tragically wrong with opening the gates of hell where evil's darkness was fought with a corrupt light that illuminated naught but our own decadence?

Plato said that only the dead have seen the end of war. Perhaps he was right, but let it be for the living here and now in our great country to end this one.

Thomas Godwin

Oceanside

Glass houses and stones

I can imagine the e-mails Eliot Spitzer has gotten in the last couple of days: Eliot, meet me in Minneapolis and we will talk, Larry.

You paid for women? Pastor Ted, Gov. McGreevey.

Should have waited until you got to Washington. Pages and interns are free, Gary, Mark and Bill.

What's it like with adults? Father Shanley, Father Geoghan, Father Mott, Boston Archdiocese.

Five-thousand dollars an hour? Could have got you waterboarded for a mere $3,000! Dick, G.W. and Condolee.

Shave your head and lose your drawers and the world will think you are nuts, Britney.

Unbelievable! We are about to hit 4,000 dead in a war that we got into by lies, oil-baron president doesn't know gas is expensive, only thing rising faster than inflation is unemployment rate, tens of thousands are being foreclosed out of their homes and government gives banks that caused it a $200 billion bailout, and the most evil person in the entire world is a guy who paid for a prostitute. Go figure!

Don Peck

San Marcos

Power and the human condition

Here we go again. By all accounts, Eliot Spitzer was highly efficient in "cleaning up." It is probably an understatement to say that he singlehandedly did more for U.S. consumers and investors then the entire Bush administration and Congress together in the area of finance and insurance. So, do we excuse him then? Does he even have a regular relationship with his wife and daughters with such pressures of his position? No! If we as a society play games with one of our highest spiritual values ññ the bond between spouses ññ all in the name of tit for tat, we lose more than just another hypocritical egomaniac, we lose part of our humanity.

In the name of power and position, to even have the thought of inflicting harm to the one person closest to you ññ your spouse ññ points to a huge spiritual void that is felt by everyone. Kind of like in the movie "Juno." I want, need, to know that it is possible for two people to feel and protect that special bond, no matter how powerful his or her position is.

Klaus-Peter

Meinhard

Solana Beach

The military coverup is in

I believe there is no justice in the military justice system. In the case against Lt. Col. Chessani, the judge, Col. Folsom, refused to allow defense attorneys' request to depose Rep. Murtha ("Judge won't dismiss charges against Haditha commander," March 8). Why? Murtha accused our troops of murdering Iraqi citizens in cold blood. Our troops have a right to the best defense possible and that should include facing their accusers. Murtha should have to identify the source of his information.

Col. Folsom also denied access to computer hard drives and e-mail messages that could show at least two generals had concluded that no formal investigation was required. If the military doesn't have something to hide, and the fix isn't in, then they should have no objections to our troops' attorneys obtaining the information from Murtha, the hard drives and e-mails.

These rulings are unfair and Col. Folsom should be replaced. Do the citizens of this country really want this injustice to go forward? Can they trust the military to be fair with their sons and daughters? This isn't a trial, it is a lynching! Given the circumstances, I can only conclude the coverup is in.

Patricia Walker

Fallbrook

Remembering a lesson in total immersion

Regarding the recent letter about special classes for those not able to speak English (illegal aliens?): I spent my elementary years in Dulzura, in eastern San Diego County. In 1934, there was a one-room schoolhouse. In order to have a teacher, there had to be a minimum of six students, myself, my brother and four others. Three of the students were Mexican children. Their father was able to converse in English, their mother was not. It took a very short time for those boys to learn English; it was their only choice of learning in a school room. You could say total immersion. Not possible now, so I am hoping those it concerns are appreciative.

Also, there was no transportation to Grossmont to be able to go to GUHS. My father quickly remedied that. He formed a petition and had it signed by the area's landowners, making it possible to have a bus take us to GUHS. I attended GUHS and graduated from there.

Dorothy Salicos

Vista

More scapegoating of Israel

In reference to Mike Thielk's letter of March 10 blaming Israel for Iraq: It was just a matter of time someone would invent a way to blame Jews for the Iraqi war. Jews have been a convenient scapegoat for thousands of years. He accuses Israel of seizing Palestinian land. Israelis are simply reclaiming land originally theirs once confiscated by Arabs. There's vast acres of unoccupied Muslim land that Palestinians can cultivate if permitted by their people and with the will to cultivate it.

He labels the state of Israel "religious extremists." America confiscated this land from Native Americans and turned it into a Judeo/Christian-dominated society, so, according to our expert, we are religious extremists. He mourns the loss of Christian and Muslim lives being sacrificed for Jews! Ask any military personnel their purpose, and they'll most likely say it's for America and freedom.

Mr. Thielk has not one shred of evidence that Israel has benefited in any way from the Iraqi war as proven by continued attacks against Israel. Blaming the war on Israel is unsupported. …

Dolores Wiener

Oceanside

Rocky's death is a loss for all

I was shocked and saddened to read of the passing of Rocky Velgos ("Remembering Rocky Velgos: Vistan championed rights for homosexual community," March 13). I only knew Mr. Velgos through his Letters to the Editor, but one could feel his compassion for others. My condolences to his family and friends. I feel we have all lost a person of great spirit and tireless efforts.

So, just for today (and hopefully tomorrow), let's all put down our poison pen, our derogative speech and look each other in the eye with the understanding that we are all the same inside. We are all someone's child. Regardless of race, gender, nationality or any other difference, we all want to be accepted and to prosper. Do this in memory of Rocky Velgos and, please, do it for yourself.

Vicki Caldwell

Fallbrook

No proof wiretaps were used against Americans

Responding to my letter dated March 1: Leon Levy proclaims that I am ignorant of the facts. Fact, nowhere in my letter did I state the telecoms were using warrantless wiretaps on Americans. Mr. Levy, in his haste to attack a conservative, didn't read my letter.

Fact, the telecoms simply complied with a request from the Intelligence agencies to assist in intercepting foreign communications. Fact, they are now being sued for cooperating with our intelligence agencies. Fact, there is no proof, as Mr. Levy asserts, that these warrantless wiretaps were used against any citizens within the U.S. Since they were intercepting foreign communications, how does that tie into creating dissident lists, or obtaining marketing information on Americans?

The Protect America Act of 2007 permits our intelligence agencies to more effectively collect foreign intelligence information on targets in foreign countries without first receiving court approval. The act clarifies that the definition of electronic surveillance in FISA shall not be construed to encompass surveillance directed at a person reasonably believed to be located outside the U.S. So who is ignorant of the facts, Mr. Levy?

Jim Stuart

Carlsbad

Plan helps city understand all its people

In this day and age, the duties of serving and protecting the public are both more challenging and demanding. Escondido, in order to serve and protect its citizens, has to understand all its people's needs and problems. A very difficult but fundamental requirement for responsible government, because problems cannot be solved unless they are understood.

Police Chief Jim Maher's plan to have at least half of his police officers voluntarily learn to speak and understand Spanish is a program that addresses this important fact. His plan, in my opinion, could enhance equitable justice throughout the city through the use of these communication skills and enriched understandings. Having a voice, and having it heard and understood, is extremely important to everyone.

The particular language spoken by each of us is our individual freedom of choice, a right no one should trespass upon using blatant notions or excuses. Chief Maher's plan correctly addresses our city's large Latino population, respecting everyone's rights. Hopefully, the knowledge learned from these endeavors can be collected and analyzed, without bias, by our city leaders so more positive citywide solutions can be created.

Richard Matthews

Escondido

Cut expenses in administration

For years, the elected leaders of our state have refused to rein in the out-of-control spending that has brought us to a financial abyss. Education budgets face cuts and, predictably, many districts are cutting those who actually work directly with the kids ññ principals, vice principals, teachers. Instead, the majority of cuts should be made at the district administration level. If districts must lay off the newest teachers, then some certified employees in district offices should go back into the classroom, thus thinning the costs of administration.

Probably the greatest positive reform in education today would be to require administrators to teach in the classroom one year out of five that they work for a district. An understanding of the issues teachers face daily would be the result. Why is all the discussion and media hysteria about cutting the jobs of teachers? Cut expenses where it hurts the least ññ the district administration level.

Lucinda Milks

Escondido

Who is building all the bombs?

This country has been at war in Iraq now for years, and I have wondered where all of the munitions, aircraft, tanks, jeeps and other military supplies are coming from to replace those that are being blown up, along with our precious young men and women in roadside bombings and other military engagements.

Living in a military town, I know where the personnel are coming from; certainly not from Asia, Europe or other foreign nations. Ninety-nine percent of them are coming from the U.S.A., and some from Mexico and other countries. But where is the military equipment originating from?

Unemployment in our country is at an all-time high, many nonmilitary jobs are being outsourced, and I am beginning to suspect that so are the jobs that were filled by all the Rosie the Riveters of WWII. How is it that the new $35 billion contract for aerial tankers went to Airbus, a European-based company? Makes one wonder, doesn't it? I'm beginning to see the downside to NAFTA and all of the other trade agreements our country is involved in.

I was 14 when WWII started and I can remember all the bond-selling tours that movie stars and other notables made, urging Americans to invest in their country so that we didn't need to borrow so much from rich foreign nations. …

Jeanette Hurst

Oceanside

Mass mailing a waste of money

Next week, the Social Security Administration is mailing information packets to more than 20 million Social Security recipients so they can then file a request for a stimulus payment. Why doesn't the SSA simply mail checks in the amount of $300 to those 20-million plus? Saves a whole lot of mailing costs, paper costs and personnel costs.

Then, those SS recipients who have other taxable income and may be eligible for additional stimulus money would get their additional payment from the IRS. That way, the IRS would not have to process more than 2 million returns and mail out 2 million checks, an additional savings of mailing costs, paper costs and personnel costs. What am I missing?

Obviously, the SSA has addresses of those 2 million recipients who don't pay taxes, or they could not mail out their wonderful information packet. Obviously, the IRS has, or will have, the information about all other entitled taxpayers from their filed income tax returns.

Polly Bennett

Carlsbad

Whose interest is being served?

It comes as no surprise that, after last month's huge coastal victory, Sen. Denise Ducheny has sponsored Senate Bill 1295, which would rip the protective guts out of the Coastal Act.

Currently, the Coastal Act provides that any two coastal commissioners can appeal a local coastal development permit, if such project will impact sensitive coastal resources or is located within 300 feet of the ocean, beach or lagoon. Ducheny's bill seeks to delete this important provision, preventing the Coastal Commission, the agency most responsible for protecting our coast, from exercising such oversight. Without oversight, uncontrolled private development will quickly overwhelm our coast. Don't imagine toll roads ññ imagine toll beaches.

Coming on the heels of the Coastal Commission's courageous vote denying the toll road through San Onofre State Park, one must question Ducheny's motives. What public is she serving? Not the millions of Californians who love the beach, love clean water and demand access to both. And clearly not the hundreds of thousands of tourists who come to see our beautiful coastline. The coast belongs to all of us, not to the highest bidder.

Todd Cardiff

Advisory Board,

San Diego Chapter

Surfrider Foundation

San Diego

Web Comments

Encinitas investigates possible pedestrian RR crossings

Readers respond to our March 14 story about an engineer saying that when the North County Transit District cut down several eucalyptus along Coast Highway in January, they opened new possibilities for a pedestrian tunnel under railroad tracks at Hillcrest Drive.

Sounds good

Oh OK: This must be the area my fellow bus people are complaining about, where they have to run across the highway to catch the Breeze buses. This will definitely be a big law suit as some of the riders said they were almost hit by traffic.

Change it up

Jacob: At grade crossing are common throughout California. The City of San Clemente has one at the state beach. At grade makes much more sense. Plus the same Amtrak trains travel at about 30 mph through San Clemente and about 70 mph through Leucadia - why is that? Encinitas better get better lobbyists or at least go see how San Clemente got results! It seems like the Encinitas NCTD representative has been asleep at the wheel for the last 8 years. You guys need a change.

Stop, look, listen

Diane: It amazes me that we need to build tunnels to keep people from being hit by trains, yet we can't figure out how to get a border fence built! And 30 mph versus 70 mph. There's a lot of factors that go into track speed - elevation, track weight limits, blah blah blah. The last time I checked, the rule was stop, look, listen and that went for walking or driving, riding a bike, wheelchairs, whatever.

Admiring the view

Mike: I've noticed the train barely crawls through San Clemente. Just assumed the engineer was busy looking at the pretty women on the beach and wasn't in any hurry.

Utility alters power line route

Readers respond to our March 14 story about San Diego Gas & Electric Co. offering to lighten the environmental footprint of its controversial $1.5 billion Sunrise Powerlink transmission line by slightly altering its route through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Power rehab

Johnboy: We need to be cutting our energy consumption by 20 percent, not increasing our supply. The Sunrise project is just Sempra Corporations attempt to keep us addicted to excessive power use.

Called progress

Reality: Even if everyone cut their use by 20 percent, by the way I'm down almost 50 percent from five years ago, the population is going to continue grow, as will the housing and so will the job base, so we will still need extra capacity. The nimbys just need to face reality, that they can't stop progress.

Stubborn

Won't Matter: It's clear that the core people who oppose the powerlink will oppose it no matter what Sempra does. They'll use whatever excuse is easiest, but in the end it just won't matter. If Sempra found a way to magically beam the electricity to the coast, the opponents would still find something wrong with it. The first post here represents that way of thinking. That's just the way these "activists" work. It's their "religion."

Need activists

Oh brother!: Don't these bloggers and the utility know that people are trying to preserve the quality of life for all citizens? Activist is not a dirty name anyway no matter how you stretch it. Jefferson and Galileo were activists. Think where we'd be without them. Probably dead of the plague in an overcrowded continent elsewhere.

Eveland's family files claims against city, school district

Readers respond to our March 14 story about the mother and stepfather of seriously injured linebacker Scott Eveland seeking damages on Scott's behalf from the City of San Marcos, the San Marcos Fire Department and San Marcos Unified School District. The family claims that failing to quickly send a seriously injured linebacker to the hospital after he collapsed on a high school football field last fall exacerbated the brain trauma he suffered.

Disagree

That's a shame: I think the school, the fire department and the whole San Marcos community has been wonderful to Scotty and his family.

Better battles

Apalled: Though I have sympathy for the family and their ordeal, I don't think a lawsuit against the school district is much more than an attempted dig into deep pockets. They should stay focused on battling the insurance company for adequate care, which is a more legitimate fight in my opinion.

If you were his parent …

Grizzly Football Mom: For anyone that disagrees with what the family is doing, I ask what would you do if it was your son? Walk a mile in Diane's shoes over the last 6 months, maybe you would think differently.

Wrong move

From what I read: The community has been "there" for Scott. It is wrong for these parents to pursue this action. What they did against the insurance company was correct, this action is not acceptable.

Fan of FD

Fire department: I trust you. You are amazing and did everything you could. I put at least $100 in your boot every time and more at the carwash. We know your commitment and we love you for it. I don't speak alone! Thank you for all you do … and don't take a family attempting to survive a multi-million dollar medical expense as a slap. We all know how awesome you are.