North County Times

Oceanside's two-stepping three

Once again Jim Wood and Shari Mackin are caught giving their vote to special-interest groups, i.e., letters of recommendation ("Lobbyist uses recommendations to attract clients," July 20). Their excuses, and there's always one, are so lame it seems they can never accept fault for anything.

Come on, people, it's time to get rid of this embarrassment of a City Council. Starting in November we can rid ourselves of "I never sold my vote to special interest" Mackin. Of course she didn't, she sold it to Wood and Sanchez. Now Wood is about as good a mayor as he was a cop. He removed Jack Feller from an important commission, which Oceanside had power in, and inserted himself into a meaningless position on the same commission (power trip).

I don't support the recall of Sanchez only because of the cost to the city. Let's concentrate on removing Mackin. Sanchez's ineptness and Wood's attitude are a moot point. Let's get rid of the two-stepping three.

JOSE SISNEROS

Oceanside

Bush vetoes research funding

Bush considers stem cells to be early human life and, on that theory, has vetoed research that could cure many nerve diseases. I wonder how the thousands of paralyzed servicemen who fought for the commander in chief feel about his decision not to help them walk again. Gee, they laid their life on the line for Bush, now he says they will just have to live with the problem. The earliest human life is the sperm, so shouldn't wet dreams and other forms of male malfunction be considered crimes if they don't hook up with an egg? Where does the nonsense stop and logic take over?

Women slough off hundreds of eggs that are potential humans each month, so nature does not expect every single meeting of egg and sperm to result in life. Also nature causes millions of miscarriages a year. Next time let us vote for a president who respects women and their partners to make decisions on their own regarding when they want children and leave the government out of family planning.

Funny how Bush claims to have such high regard for life but does not hesitate to enter pre-emptive wars, which claim so many innocent lives.

PEGGY HART

Carlsbad

Sex sells at electronics store

I recently went to Fry's Electronics in San Marcos to buy a movie. I was shocked to see that a few feet from the family section of movies was an adult section. I am not so shocked that Fry's is selling adult movies as I am in how they are displayed and where they are located.

All that is protecting children from seeing the movie covers is a black divider of some sort, and they are located close to the entrance of the store. As a preschool teacher, aunt and child advocate, I am offended by the easy availability of pornography to children.

Pornography is so easily available on the Internet and adult stores that I do not understand why it has to be sold so openly at Fry's. Children of all ages are already exposed to sex through magazines and television - why add more?

MARIBEL DELGADO

Escondido

Whiny Lebanon evacuees

Scenario: Lebanese-Americans on vacation/business or living in Lebanon are evacuated compliments of the American taxpayer and the U.S. military and all I hear are complaints that the evacuation was too slow or there were no plans. I also read that some felt guilt they were leaving family back in Lebanon, and that it was unfair that Lebanon was being attacked.

Lebanon had its chance to free itself from the hands of the terrorist organization Hezbollah, or Hez bully, as I like to call it. These so-called Americans live and work in our free country but really do not exhibit ties to America other than making money and living the good life. They have no loyalties to the U.S., as exhibited by their comments, and have no loyalties to Lebanon. If they were really concerned about the welfare of the people in their home country, they would have stayed in Lebanon and helped their brothers.

This is the problem with dual citizenship and multiculturalism. No loyalties. These people, as well as a large contingent of Hispanics, want to have their cake and eat it too, without the sacrifice that goes along with being a true American. It is very regrettable we allow such people citizenship.

BARBARA COPE

Escondido

No reason for modern war

The war on terror is giving war a bad name. War, in a misguided sense, was a noble mission in the past. It was nation against nation settling their differences in the most barbaric method they could devise, but fair.

As the technology improved, advanced nations built such horrific weapons they finally realized the absurdity of this concept and found ways to live together without war, such as U.S.A. and the Soviet Union did. Now we're left with a money-sucking military that can destroy any nation but can't win a war.

Today's war is a video game for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. But for the grunts on the ground it's ride around until someone kills you. It's an error to use the military to attack terrorists. It causes too many civilian deaths, which, in turn, produce more insurgents. I believe we called similar insurgents freedom fighters when they fought the Soviets.

Israel is a perfect example of why you can't defend yourself from terrorism using the military. Where could you find a better-defended nation and, at the same time, a more dangerous place to live? The only answer is serious negotiations with nations with different views and eliminating the reasons for terrorism.

JOE MARTIN

Oceanside

Bush didn't veto stem cell research

If the president had vetoed embryonic stem cell research, that would have been abominable. So let's be clear: He didn't. He vetoed government funding of embryonic stem cell research. That is commendable.

The only problem I have with the president on this is that he didn't veto spending on a lot of other stuff - like the National Endowment for the Arts, the Department of Education, etc. Areas where the federal government has no constitutional right (as I read the Constitution) to stick its nose.

As I understand embryonic stem cell research, I am in favor of it - within limits. At the same time, why should I expect government to coerce my neighbors, who may have a moral problem with it, to support it with their tax dollars when I can write a check just as easily as the Treasury Department.

Well, maybe not quite as easily.

GRANT KUHNS

Carlsbad

Jazz leaves Del Mar

Well, Del Mar's off and running again and had a big Opening Day. Profits increase. The bottom line is so important to the management of Del Mar - too bad tradition isn't. For years Del Mar presented jazz on Wednesdays after the races. Some of the best performers in the world appeared - James Moody, Bud Shank, Mose Allison, to name a few - legends in their own time. But, alas, the bottom line wasn't fattened.

The jazz crowd just didn't spend enough on booze. Tradition went by the wayside in spite of the fact that jazz is the only art form to have originated in America - a fact we all, including Del Mar, should be proud of.

Oh, but every Friday night we can see such groups as the Flaming Lips, Violent Femmes and Alice in Chains - forgettable names to say the least. But young people will flock to these concerts - they'll drink, spend and fatten up that bottom line at the expense of real music and tradition. Del Mar should be happy with profits from the parimutuel handle, parking, concessions, etc., and deserves a big fat raspberry from the North County Times for casting aside an old and proud tradition for the sake of the almighty buck.

PATRICK FRAWLEY

Carlsbad

On board with global warming

In response to Mr. Don Dalphin's July 20 rant regarding former Vice President Gore and global warming: I would like to point out that Tom Brokaw's recently aired television program "Global Warming" reinforced the scientific research presented by Gore.

Brokaw further stated, "The scientific community, and even oil company presidents and manufacturers such as GE, are now all on board with the idea that it's real." Mr. Dalphin, have they all lost their minds, too? I won't comment on his letter's further babble and drabble.

CONSTANCE CHASE

Carlsbad

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Council against eminent domain

Readers respond to our July 25 story about a recent City Council decision to start eminent-domain proceedings on a local restaurant. Two council members are saying that the city is skirting dangerously close to condemning property in order to benefit private development.

Who do they serve?

Born and raised in Escondido: "Are there only two moral and decent people on the city council or what? Using eminent domain to take land from someone who doesn't want to sell it for private development is wrong. The supreme court decision was WRONG. The Republican mentality of taking from the poor or middle class to give to the rich needs to be stopped! I hope some other city council members remember that they serve the public, the people. Find some morals and do what is right!"

Deal or no deal?

Good Eminent Domain?: "The seller and the buyer seem to be willing. However, Taxifornia and the federal government's crazy tax policies may be providing a sizable economic benefit to choosing eminent domain over outright sale. Anyone who makes $700,000 during a year is 'rich' and must pay most of that income as taxes for the 'poor.' I would test the waters of eminent domain to avoid over $300,000 in taxes any day of the week!"

Move them out

DC: "Too bad the city won't take their property! And we voted them in! Let's see what we can do at the next election - we won't elect them and we will let the city take their property! It's wrong no matter how you look it! Everyone needs to vote against the other board members."

Poor conclusion

no surprise: "As usual, our two genius Council members, Waldron and Gallo, didn't think to see that what is best for the property owner might indeed be what has been recommended - eminent domain."

Escondido's punishing the victims

Readers respond to our July 25 editorial which says that with its new shopping-cart ordinance, Escondido is trying a novel approach to stopping burglary: Establish a minimum standard for self-defense, and fine the victims if they don't meet it.

Reverse that

Unbelievable: "I thought we were supposed to punish the thieves and not the victims. I must have gotten that one wrong … sorry."

Means of motivation

Cart Dump: "I live about a mile from the Ralph's on East Valley Parkway, yet its carts keep ending up in front of my house. Calls to the store's manager was met with claims that there was nothing they could do about the problem. Now I am hearing the law enforcement claims that the stores refuse to cooperate. Something does not add up. At least now, the stores will have more motivation to solve the problem!"

Bilingual carts

Put signs on the carts: "Stating that if you remove them from the stores parking lot you will be prosecuted and fined up to $1,000 for a first offense. No one would steal them then. Oh, and you had better print them in Spanish."

Breaking the law

State Law Not City: "Dear Editor, it is against CA state law to remove a shopping cart from a store's property. The stores will not cooperate with enforcement of that law. Hence, the city's action to motivate the stores to address the problem. The idea of selling the carts is nutty, and maybe illegal."

Commission negotiates for Elks land

Readers respond to our July 25 story about the Planning Commission deciding that a developer should be allowed to build 29 townhouses next to the Elks Lodge in Oceanside, despite concerns from residents that the project will increase traffic and parking problems in the Loma Alta neighborhood.

Nothing's changed

DW: "Is this project going to be typical Oceanside. No code enforcement, graffiti, gangs, multiple families in one residence. Center St. Barrio North? Oceanside does not know how to plan. Look at the mess on Greenbrier!"

Homes for our kids

Randy: "The proposed project is medium density townhomes, which provides a smooth transition from high density apartments to the west into residential to the east. Does every home have to cost $700,000? Our children cannot afford that! The proposed townhomes are preliminarily priced in the low $400's."

Money talks

Ted: "The residents should be prepared for the townhomes. The city council has no spine and will cave in to the wishes of the Elks and the developer. Why should we expect the council or the planning commission to listen to the recommendation of the city planner? He doesn't contribute to their campaign funds."