Nudism: Who are the 'sick' ones?

James Hartline calls nudist parents "sick" ("Nudist swimming irks city officials," Feb. 24). Councilwoman Marie Waldron says of nudists, "We really don't want this type of thing." I say, we need to leave law-abiding, health-conscious and moral nudist families alone.

Who is sick here? Is it the family that enjoys their natural beauty, made in God's image, or the one who feels his own body is disgusting and should be hidden in shame?

America's Victorian attitudes are unique among Western and Christian nations. Family nude beaches and nudist activities are common throughout Europe, yet European children grow up to be happy, healthy adults. The problem is not nudism. The problem is people who foster the unhealthy idea that the human body is inherently shameful.

I strongly urge the City Council, the Escondido police and the citizens of Escondido to leave the members of Naturally California alone, and let them practice their healthy, happy lifestyle without harassment. And I would encourage those who think nudism is a perversion to seek psychological help to overcome their own perverse view of the human body.

CRAIG A. JAMES

Escondido

What's motivating Jennifer Orrock?

Jennifer Orrock, a Carlsbad resident, has formed a new political action committee (PRO PAC) in Oceanside, to destroy the candidacy of Oceanside resident Shari Mackin in the June Oceanside City Council election.

It brings to mind an interesting comment uttered recently by the president of the North County Republican Party, who is a representative for Congressman Darrell Issa. It went something like this: There is no way the Republican Party will allow Shari Mackin to win the City Council election in Oceanside. That is a strong statement, and it seems to me that the Republican Party, which recently embraced African-American Terry Johnson as a new member, is committed to using all of its available political resources to influence a city council election.

I know, and I'm very sure that others will agree, that there is no proof whatsoever that Ms. Orrock has been promised future, lucrative political consulting jobs by the Republican Party for her attack on Mackin. But for the life of me, I can't think of another reason why a Carlsbad resident would form a political committee and say, "I want PRO PAC to send Mackin packin'."

GIL NOBLE

Vista

Times have changed; ranch plan should too

There appears to be a vocal few who are dedicated to seeing that the Paul Ecke Ranch does not keep moving forward in the competitive agricultural business. Matthew Walker's Feb. 16 letter, "Ecke should keep promise to Encinitas," says, "Even those who don't care about protecting agriculture preserves should be alarmed."

I am in the agricultural business and have been a neighbor and customer of the ranch since 1973. Paul Ecke Sr. was dedicated to his land. His son, Paul Jr., brought the ranch up to speed in the 1960s to keep up with competition. Paul III is following in their footsteps, taking his heritage forward.

When the whole Encinitas Ranch went before the people, over 10 years ago, Paul Jr. was looking forward to rebuilding. It is not the same reality today. The operation that can stay here in Encinitas does not need the same space it did 40 years ago when the greenhouses were built.

I wonder if Walker has any knowledge of being a grower? Or what it takes to be in an agricultural business? Does he have a garden? Does he work in the earth, or does he just like to see old greenhouses and thinks that is an agricultural preserve?

His other comment about trading valuable city property for valueless agricultural land is misleading. The main focus was and still is a proper location for the public works. Both properties have value and have been thoughtfully discussed.

CHERYL KAY KONN

Encinitas

Psychology instructor a true inspiration

I am a student attending MiraCosta Community College. I recently changed majors from physical education to psychology. My true inspiration and the reason for changing my major to psychology is instructor Wendy Curtiss.

I started taking psychology classes with Curtiss in the fall of 2003, and I really enjoyed the topic of psychology. I feel that I have hurt people because I switched majors at the last minute. However, this is my education and I know that I made the right decision for my life.

I just wanted to let Wendy know that she got through to me. She is very experienced and knowledgeable in her field of study. I just hope that in the future she is able to teach more psychology classes so I will be able to learn from her instruction. New students who are planning on attending MiraCosta College and want to pursue a major in psychology should definitely take a class with Wendy Curtiss, the best psychology instructor MiraCosta has. She changed my view concerning psychology and I thank her for that.

YVETTE ESQUIVEL

Oceanside

Public health and safety at risk

Escondido city officials still fail to address public health and safety issues. Only after the city faces $1.2 million in fines from violations and the potential loss of revenue from the inability to supply water to the future Palomar Energy Project has the city even thought about its failure to consider the impacts to Escondido. The strictly reactionary style of city management only points out that the current path is ineffective and the city does not have the ability to address health and safety issues concerning the Hale Avenue Resource Recovery Facility and the PEP.

With permits currently under review by the Water Control Board concerning the HARRF, it seems that Escondido probably will need to actually take measures that have been brought up in public meetings and ignored.

Unresolved water/wastewater issues in the licensing of the Palomar Energy Project with incompatible cooling tower protocol will impact bacterial content from the cooling towers that has major health significance for residents living in the vicinity of the PEP. City negligence and developer shortcuts will continue to degrade the image of the city while costing taxpayers both in health and financial impacts.

MARK RODRIGUEZ

Escondido

Columnist's logic sacrifices U.S. security

Our nation's well-being is made vulnerable by John Van Doorn's fashionable logic ("Observer," Feb. 16) of signing up illegal aliens for licenses in order to help our government keep better track of them. That theory is tantamount to enabling, aiding and abetting criminals.

Incredibly, Van Doorn and other illegal alien apologists seem unfazed that the 9-11 terrorists possessed a total of 63 authentic U.S. driver's licenses and that the 9/11 Commission described these licenses as crucially important in their ability to remain in the U.S. while they planned, rehearsed, financed and carried out their mass murders.

Van Doorn diverts us with that tired old race card, and misses the whole point. There are immigration laws in this country that are not being enforced and should be. This includes controlling our Canadian and Mexican borders.

As big industry and bloated corporations clamor for cheap labor, our slacking politicians, hungry for the immigrant vote and corporate support, chillingly let anyone and everyone enter our country.

Van Doorn's futile and hollow '60s flashback into the history of racism does nothing to relate to or rationalize illegal and criminal entry by foreigners into our country and its dreadfully detrimental impact on our nation's security.

SUSAN DENNY

San Marcos

Liberal defends a true conservative

Chris Pulse is a longtime writer who has always been a rigorous conservative. Pulse is more a conservative than any Bush supporter. There is nothing conservative about Bush's policies, from the irresponsible deficit, his Big Government mentality, or his un-American restrictions on human rights and liberties. Bush has violated all decent conservative principles.

So many people have continued a rather rabid support of him and his misguided actions that I can only conclude that Bushites aren't conservatives, they are cultists. Bush supporters are part of a cult of personality, blindly following an image without regard to truth, fact, principle or morality. This "cult of personality" phenomenon can be unprincipled and dangerous, reflecting its focus.

Everything Pulse has complained about is true and consistent with true conservatism. Remember Bush's "humble diplomacy"? We did loot and vandalize the Baghdad airport's upscale duty-free shops, and when Pulse pointed that out, y'all sputtered your worst: "Liberal!" Chris Pulse is the most principled conservative writing to this paper. That's how far Bushism has moved from conservatism.

RICHARD W. CREWS

Encinitas

Activist not looking out for our best interests

Gustavo Munguia of Hispanos Unidos in U.S.A. states the Save Our License bill would make the nation less safe, not safer ("Local group pushes case for granting licenses," Feb. 13). He states it would drive illegals further into the shadows. I would hope it would drive them back to their own country. He favors a bill by Sen. Gil "Open Borders" Cedillo.

That bill would require a background check, fingerprints taken, pay a large fee and attend citizenship classes. Don't make me laugh. I wouldn't want to base our security on documentation from Mexico. And for illegals to attend citizenship classes: They don't want to become citizens. They're just here for the American economic way of life, not the American way of life.

Rewarding criminals with a driver's license is a slap in the face to the immigrants who are standing in line and following the rules to come to America.

Mr. Munguia's group is also focusing on efforts against the U.S. Border Patrol's illegal immigrant sweeps and police checkpoints. He is not looking out for America's best interest. He should be stripped of his legal residency and deported with all his illegal friends.

MIKE ANDREAS

Escondido

Suarez needs to honor his son's sacrifice

I'm writing regarding Mr. Fernandez Suarez del Solar. I am a mother of a servicewoman who was in Iraq for one year. As a mother, I didn't want her to go. But I couldn't even imagine dishonoring my daughter's or other service members' efforts and sacrifices by doing similar actions of Mr. Suarez del Solar.

Not many stories are told by my daughter about her time in Iraq, but the ones that are are of the Army building water treatment facilities for the Iraqis, helping schools rebuild, about her interactions with the Iraqi people. She has shown me some pictures and videos, their deeds. I know that she still has nightmares of the time over there, but she is proud to have served and helped. How can I as a parent dishonor her efforts because of my feelings?

Mr. Suarez del Solar, unfortunately, needs to move past his feelings and the tremendous loss of his child. I'm sure his son served with honor and did the best he could all the time. But like my daughter would remind me, they sign up of their own free will. Peace and freedom don't come without a cost. My heart goes out to Mr. Suarez del Solar; it is a great loss to lose a son or daughter. But it is not about us, it's about always honoring our children's sacrifice for all of us.

NATALIE G. SANDOVAL

Oceanside

Let's name school after Latino military hero

Re: "Gibson to try to name school after Gen. Murray," Feb. 22. The current Vista Unified School District school-naming policy is not deeply rooted in American history. Two VUSD middle schools are named after presidents who were never president of the state of California. No matter how much we respect or admire President Washington, he never was, nor will he ever be, president of California. No Californians crossed the Delaware, or wintered in Valley Forge, or fought at Yorktown.

Lincoln Middle School is located right across the street from the Rancho Adobe. What connection does President Lincoln have to the adobe? If VUSD chooses to ignore the local history that is right in front of them, why should the students pay any attention to it?

Finally, if Trustee Jim Gibson really wants to focus on military values, why doesn't he look to Latino military heroes? Lt. Everett Alvarez Jr. is the longest confirmed POW after enduring eight years in Vietnam. David Barkley was the first Hispanic to receive the Medal of Honor. Col. Angela Salinas is the highest-ranking Latina in the Marine Corps. All of these soldiers exemplify the same values that Gen. Murray did.

PHILIP I. PROVENCIO

Oceanside

Council must be more open to public opinion

The $5 clean water fee is another example of Encinitas' wrongful tactics and self-aggrandizing spin. Many have objected to this fee, although we care tremendously about our environment and local habitats. The city took the course of least resistance rather than making a fair determination after open bidding, careful investigation and public input.

This added clean water expense is mandated by state and federal law; it should come out of the general fund so Encinitas does not continue to initiate more and more excessive, expensive, capital improvements promoted by always expanding private development interests -- improvements that are primarily intended for the benefit of a privileged few.

Concerned citizens need to figure out a way to get our own measure(s) on the ballot. These do not have to come straight from our often confused, misguided council members.

The city must show respect for individuals who voice their opinions in order to earn the public's respect in turn. We should be allowed to question our council members, in some forum, without their resorting to executive privilege and secretive closed sessions on an almost weekly basis.

LYNN BRAUN

Leucadia

Modern library is mankind's greatest bargain

Any progressive city contains a modernized public library, providing the essential essence of education. The primary objective is to attain a liberal education, to help man acquire human qualities that manifest themselves in characteristic habits and attitudes.

In a democracy, liberal education should be of value to men and women, both as private individuals and as free, self-reliant and responsible members of the community to which they belong. Most certainly, it would help them as individuals to grow in self-mastery and personal depth, to develop wider and deeper appreciation. With good conversation and good books, to delight in the adventures of an intellectual curiosity, individuals become fair-minded and generous in all their human responses.

It has been said, "As the sculpture does for the stone, so education does for man; hence, refinement."

The greatest bargain in the history of mankind is a modern public library. Those solitary, tranquil relaxed periods of time, while enjoying library silence, is a process of absorbing knowledge.

WILLIAM DUGGAN

Oceanside

U.S. suffers while we build other countries

The current administration has been little more than a series of unfortunate events from the start, ignoring terrorist threats until reinforced by 9-11. Media blitz-hyped fear of phantom WMDs promoted war. Lack of WMDs glossed over, morphed into freedom and democracy, a great distance from threats of mushroom clouds. Yet no one has been held accountable, investigated or lost jobs due to omissions, shadowy influence, ethics violations and/or outright deceit.

Backroom contracts, unaccounted billions continue to drain from the U.S. economy to give people who shoot/blow each other up an opportunity to vote. Frankly, citizens of the U.S. aren't even sure we get a democratic process on our own soil. The indebtedness grows and the bodies are still coming.

After "fixing Iraq" they are moving toward local problems, i.e., Social Security. Oddly this bunch will never need to rely on Social Security due to wealth and/or government pensions, yet are so anxious to fix it for the rest of us. Too bad they aren't interested in fixing the U.S. aging, inadequate power grid. Other infrastructure of the nation goes wanting while we rebuild another country.

CARA LOU WICKS

Oceanside

Education at the lowest level

On Feb. 22 Mr. Bill O'Reilly interviewed the UCSD student-run TV station manager and the student pornography star about the sexual act broadcast on a program on the student TV station. The two guests were very proud of the TV program and could not see anything wrong with it. Is this how our tax dollar is used to entertain the students at UCSD? I am amazed the chancellor allowed this type of activity on campus.

CECILIA LEONARD

Pauma Valley

His book was one library didn't want

Re: Stuart Greenbaum of Solana Beach's Feb. 18 letter, "Libraries' control of reading matter not a worry." There is a bit of worry, and I'll tell you why. In 1980 things were getting so bad with the Mexico/U.S. border that I spent hours researching and writing a novel. I interviewed border personnel down to Brownsville, Texas. I read the works of 41 women authors to be sure the sex, daily activities and female thinking were authentic.

I used Libya only because our bombers had made a devastating surprise attack on Tripoli and Benghazi, but could have used Iraq as well or Mexico. And Libya was in much the same circumstances as we were with Pearl Harbor. The book, "Border to Terrorism," was published/copyrighted in 1988.

I was a longtime resident of Newport Beach and thought I would give our library a couple of copies. I was directed to the head of the library and I told her about the background of the book. She looked at me with cold eyes, picked up a copy, thumbed through it and handed it back to me as she said, "Sorry, we don't want your book." She showed me the door and, surprisingly, didn't ask me for my library card. From then on, I gave books to the libraries in their return box outside. It must be good to get that kind of reaction.

JAMES BURCHETT

Escondido

We're all to blame for undermining marriage

Many people feel that the sanctity of marriage is being undermined by homosexuals who desire to be legally married. If we are so concerned about the institution of marriage, how do we explain the frequency and vicious nature of divorces in our society and the number of extramarital affairs?

How do we defend our support of family values when, after divorce, boyfriends and girlfriends abuse our children, or worse yet, new stepdads and stepmoms make their lives miserable? I know of one homosexual couple of 40 years; one of the partners cares for the other with disabilities. I find it difficult to explain how these two would jeopardize the already challenged institution of marriage.

Relationships, whether homosexual or heterosexual, are either positive or negative, based on individual choices. We have to stop categorizing one another and see each other as flawed human beings who often undermine the sanctity of marriage.

It is wrong to scapegoat homosexuals in our discussion of marriage and family values. We will make progress when we all share the blame for broken relationships and families and come together to create solutions.

JOAN HORN

Carlsbad

Don't force us into a system we don't want

Re: the Feb. 20 Observer column, "Health care fixes can make you sick" by John Van Doorn. John states that "all have a right to health care and the means to see that it's paid for."

Does one group of people have the right to impose by force a health care system on others against their will? Do they have the right to victimize some people for the benefit of others? I think not.

Libertarians realize that the end does not justify the means, that no one's rights can be secured by the violation of the rights of others. To do so is the morality of cannibalism -- the notion that we have the right to consume one another.

I do not want to be forced into their health care system whether or not they think it's a good idea.

John attempts to solve problems by legal mandate -- by forcing everybody else to be part of his theories and his belief that it is all right because his intentions are good.

They, of course, have the right to a system that allows people who want to be part of it to join and leaves alone those, like me, who do not want to be part of it.

All I ask is that they keep their good intentions voluntary rather than compulsory.

PAUL KING

Carlsbad

Less land needed if schools share football field

Working at a local high school for 30 years it was obvious that the expensive, large football stadium received very little use. There was also a constant problem of keeping the public and other school activities off the field.

Escondido High School has one of the finest high school football stadiums in the county. If that stadium was shared with another large high school of the same size, enough money would be saved to put in the best Astro turf, etc., so wear and tear would not be a factor. The money that would be saved could be used to build a high-quality track and field area around the practice fields at the new high school. Maybe a permanent locker room for the new school could be built at Escondido High School so the new school could have its own banners, signs, trophies, etc.

The board needs to consider suggestions from the public. Most of us are concerned with overcrowding and know it is easier to find 30 to 35 acres for a new school than to continue the push for 50 acres, which the board feels is necessary.

CLARENCE E. WEILER

Escondido

Challenge any drastic changes to Social Security

The two major goals of the George W. Bush presidency, apparently from its beginning, were to enact massive tax cuts that would mainly benefit the wealthy and to invade Iraq.

In accomplishing these dubious goals, the costs have generated huge budget deficits, spiking our already mountainous federal debt and threatening our nation's future economic health. Why then, now, would anybody take seriously Bush's plan to drastically modify Social Security?

Social Security is an insurance program: Paying into it as required, as paying into any private or government insurance system, helps protect your future. You may desperately need its benefits to survive when you retire, or you may have come into huge wealth along life's road and your Social Security check is chump change.

Whatever, it seems to me that the system should be continually and carefully modified based on actuarial and economic conditions, and that any president's idea to change it drastically should be challenged mightily.

HAROLD WEBER

Oceanside

President Bush is not responsible

Daily we read reports of prisoner abuse and torture in Guantanamo, Iraq and Afghanistan committed by American forces. Such depravity has not entered the consciousness of America since the death camps of Auschwitz, Dachau and Treblinka.

The Bush administration, desiring to bring quick closure, is identifying the few bad apples at the bottom and bringing military justice to the guilty soldiers.

We are reminded of the judgment at Nuremberg in the War Crimes Tribunals after World War II: "I was just following orders" does not absolve a soldier of war crimes; every man is responsible for his own behavior. These few bad apples at the bottom must be punished according to the law, the administration insists.

In placing responsibility for torture, our president wants us to acknowledge a few fundamental principles: The president is not responsible for crimes of individuals; White House and Pentagon legal memos and directives on torture are purely hypothetical and do not affect behavior of the military; widespread torture and abuses are indicative of a malaise in godless America for which President Bush is not responsible. And Emperor Bush's dirty water does not run downhill.

J. HOWARD CREWS

Fallbrook

More on SS coverage

I am writing to offer additional information on Social Security omitted by Penelope Baumann in her letter of Feb. 21.

While it is true that all members of Congress, the president and vice president, federal judges and most political appointees have paid into SS since 1984, some government employees still do not. I know for a fact that several local city employees who are covered by PERS do not pay into SS. I also wonder if teachers covered by STERS, railroad pensioners and state employees pay into SS.

KARL BREITENFELD

Escondido

Instead of calling him names, prove him wrong

Ed Towers' letter of last week called statements I made in a Feb. 10 letter "ignorant and racist."

He refers, of course, to my repeated complaint that Senor Fernando Suarez del Solar is in this country illegally, and has traveled to Iraq ostensibly to bring medical supplies to Iraqi children, but also possibly to gain access to our fighting forces there to bring discord.

If that is not the case, instead of name-calling, wouldn't it be more useful if Towers, and indeed all of the correspondents associated with the Coalition for Peace and Justice who have also written on this subject to the North County Times, prove that my information is wrong? As an aside, I have worked alongside many extremely intelligent people for the past 50 years and cannot recall boastful words regarding their accomplishments.

On the other hand, I have encountered a few educationally challenged people who rise from the gutter to slander those with whom they disagreed, but could not think of any other form of argument.

JOHN SCHUELER

Oceanside

Bush's plan will keep us constantly at war

If Bush is serious about bringing democracy all over the world, we would be constantly at war, with thousands of American troops dying every day, and our Treasury would be completely depleted, busted and, in the end, we would lose the war because all the dictators will merge into one unit of terrorists.

Our European allies will not join us. They were angry with us when we attacked Iraq; imagine how they will feel if we attempted to invade countries all over the world. I wonder if even his Republican base would back him.

JOE FORMICA

Oceanside

Abandoning Social Security an obscene idea

Grant Kuhns in his letter of Feb. 22 is so right, but for reasons that he doesn't even know. Of course, Social Security is a Ponzi scheme. All insurance is a Ponzi scheme. You pay the premiums when you are young; some old person cashes in on your dime. Guess what -- it doesn't matter because, later on, you will cash in someone else's dime.

The crux is faith. In the case of private insurance annuities, your faith is invested in the integrity of the executives of the insurance company and the diligence of the federal regulators that we trust to keep those executives honest.

In the case of Social Security, we are relying on the actual honesty of our own government.

For over 70 years, the system that Franklin Roosevelt (of blessed memory) built has been a bedrock and bulwark for the safety of our fellow citizens in their old age. As the economy and the demographics of our beloved country have changed, the parameters of Social Security have been adjusted to keep the system healthy. There are a number of ways to tweak the system to extend the benefits of Social Security into the foreseeable future. There is no crisis. Chicken Little, go back to Crawford.

PAT McDONALD

Oceanside

Democrats out of touch with majority

On Feb. 15, Robert F. Dion came right out and said what Sean Hannity has been saying about the left for quite some time. Dion wrote, "All that can be hoped is that the same mismanagement that characterizes what went on in Iraq will also occur to Mr. Bush's domestic programs."

Mr. Dion exposed the real heart of the far left: They hate Bush so much that they would prefer to see American domestic policy fail than see Bush succeed at anything. Never mind that a failing domestic policy could hurt millions of his fellow Americans, Dion wants to hurt the president.

This kind of evil thinking is precisely why the Democrats can't win. When John Kerry was onstage with Chevy Chase, Jon Bon Jovi, John Mellencamp and foul-mouthed Whoopi Goldberg, he said, "This is the heart and soul of America." And then he wonders why he lost.

As long as the left is content to tell lies about Bush and his administration, as long as they embrace Kerry, Barbara Boxer, Michael Moore, Ted Kennedy and Howard Dean, that is how long they will be out of office. If they were anywhere near as smart as they think they are they would realize that their message is out of touch with and has been roundly rejected by a majority of Americans.

ROB EDWARDS

San Marcos

Homeowner grateful to Bill Horn

Three years ago I purchased a Victorian ranch tract home from a home builder, who then ignored numerous issues that I raised regarding the new home's construction. I, a nobody, wrote to Bill Horn for county help, which Mr. Horn immediately gave. County administration doors opened up, and many of my issues (not all) with the home builder were resolved. Therefore, I herewith thank Bill Horn for supporting a nobody county citizen at Mr. Horn's risk of offending the honorary past president of the Building Industry Association.

Incidentally, issues that the county could not resolve could not even be resolved by the state Contractors Board. Since I am not into hiring lawyers to sue builders, I am thankful that Bill Horn and the county helped to resolve issues as much as they could. Obviously, I sure will vote for Bill Horn in the future.

It's too bad the building industry is what it is.

TONY SAN MIGUEL

Vista

Legacy of help for homeless lives on

In 1980, Lisa and her 2-year-old appeared at the church youth office where I worked. Homeless, they had been living in their car for four days. I had no place to which to refer them, so I took them home with me to the apartment I shared with my sister, Rose Alice, who was a nurse. It was our first encounter with the homeless, and we were touched to see such a young mother with her very young son in so desperate a situation.

Because of Lisa, I was inspired to start St. Clare's Home -- a place for other homeless women like Lisa and their children to find safety and stability. Since then, we have grown to include nine homes and have assisted over 5,500 homeless mothers and children to find a better life for their families.

My sister became a mentor to Lisa. When Rose Alice passed away in 1993, Lisa was there and expressed how much my sister had meant to her. After my sister's death, I gave Lisa my sister's nurse's cap -- white with a black band. I gave the cap to Lisa because she had become an LVN.

Last week, Lisa, too, passed away. I learned that Lisa carried that cap in a bag in her purse since 1993. I have no doubt that Lisa and Rose Alice are reunited and are home at last.

If you would like to make a donation in honor of Lisa to St. Clare's Home, mail it to: St. Clare's Home, 243 S. Escondido Blvd., No. 120, Escondido, CA 92025.

SISTER CLAIRE FRAWLEY

Escondido

'Shutdown' facility was pretty busy

Re: "Some facts offered on illegal immigrants," a Feb. 18 letter from Mr. Bob Haunschild, stating that Scripps Memorial Hospital has closed because of a $5 million-a-year unreimbursed costs. The statement is odd, in view of my having attended a meeting at one of the conference centers on the hospital grounds recently.

If that place is closed, someone should tell all the nurses, doctors and other employees to go home. It was pretty busy for a shutdown facility.

JOE DI MENTO

Fallbrook

Tribe committed to safety in Valley Center

On behalf of the Citizens for VC Parkway, a small group of local citizens whose goal is to make Valley Center Road safer and more attractive for our community, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to San Pasqual Tribal Chairman Allen Lawson and to Mr. Jim Quisquis, VP of Community Affairs for Valley View Casino, for the tribe's commitment to fund the maintenance of a landscaped median on Valley Center Road.

A landscaped median will result in a barrier to prevent head-on collisions and a more attractive roadway into Valley Center. Without a landscaped median, traffic would pass through Valley Center at high speeds, with an expected increase in accidents and injuries.

While our Community Plan and Design Guidelines specify a landscaped median to be built when the road is widened, the county did not allocate funds for the landscaped median, and so it was not planned. The San Pasqual commitment to fund annual maintenance of the median will enable the county to build a landscaped median if the community can now find the $1.5 million needed for its construction.

The San Pasqual Tribe's commitment has opened the door, and we are actively working to identify the balance of the funds necessary.

JON VICK

Citizens for VC Parkway

Valley Center

Community support helps charter academy

Bonsall Charter Academy for Learning held a spaghetti dinner fund-raiser on Feb. 11 in the Bonsall Community Center. It was a great opportunity for students, staff, parents and community members to enjoy a fantastic dinner, socialize and compete for the highest bid during a silent auction.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the many families and businesses in our community that donated their time, services and products toward making this event a huge success. The response was overwhelming and we just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate your interest and concern in our behalf. We're already looking forward to next year's event.

Thanks go to Hometown Buffet, Albertson's, Daniel's Market, Smart & Final, Village Pizza, Casuelle's Upscale Nail, Birchall & Sons, Carpet Care, Papa Pepperoni Pizza. Supercuts, Alba Motorsports, El Jardin Mexican Restaurant, Red Lobster Restaurant, Blockbuster Videos, Krikorian Theater, Forbess family, Ortizharo family, Bessey family, Freeland family, Grant family, Villaruel family, Burrows family, Kuhl family, Mrs. Christine Chisholm, Ms. Marissa Carey, Mrs. Michelle Knaier, Ms. Kelley Carr and Mr. Jason Marks.

SARA LARSON

students and staff

Bonsall Charter

Academy for Learning

Many ways to learn to dance

Here I keep sharing how wonderful dancing is, and yet I forget to mention how you do it. Most adults know how to do the two-step dance. Basically, that's what's needed to dance ballroom-style. The next step is to be creative and add twirling around the lady or yourself. With faster music you increase your pace.

Often I'll double up on my two-step to keep up with the music. You can also take lessons at the Oceanside Senior Center, Joslyn center in Escondido and Harding center in Carlsbad and other places.

The classes are very reasonable, usually $20 for four lessons (in Oceanside, if you pay ahead, $15 for four lessons). The class also gives you an opportunity to meet new people, exchange ideas on where to dance, or even date. If you're squeamish, you can buy or borrow videotapes with various dancing steps and learn at home. Or better still, invite a lady friend who dances to show you how.

The main way to learn is to dance. Most dancing partners are very understanding.

WILLIAM HART

Carlsbad

Frank thanked for fund-raiser efforts

This letter is to give you a double thank-you for Jeff Frank's outstanding effort, both during and after the Escondido Public Library Literacy Services' "First Annual Scrabblethon" fund-raiser.

Our first thank-you is for the many hours Frank volunteered as a judge during our contest. He has shown that not only can he write about the people and events of this community, but he also serves to help make our home a better place to live.

Our second thank-you is for Frank's exemplary column about the activities and winners of our event. We are very fortunate to have a positive role model like Frank at work in our community and, again, we thank him for setting a double example for community service.

TOM PRESSLEY

Adult Literacy Services

Escondido Public Library

What does Arnold know about education?

Can anyone tell me if Arnold Schwarzenegger graduated from high school and, if so, who can verify? Can anyone tell me if Arnold Schwarzenegger went to college; if so, who can verify? If he went to college, did he graduate, and from what college? If he graduated from college, what was his degree in, and was it an A.A., B.A., B.S., M.A., or Ph.D.?

Note: Has anyone noticed some school districts and teachers unions have banded together to throw their support to defeat Gov. Schwarzenegger's review of teachers (example: Poway Unified School District and the Poway Teachers Union)?

Strength in supporting education, knowledge through teaching and support from school districts and parents equal students who will make our world a better place to live.

LOU HEYN

Poway

Needs of drivers shouldn't always come first

This letter is in response to Paul Jacobs' Feb. 6 column, where he attacks the residents of Meadowview for exercising their right to self-preservation. Mr. Jacobs believes Meadowview should stand aside and allow a city-planned road to split the community in two and have 10,000-plus cars a day navigate its narrow, winding roads that have no sidewalks and no street lights.

In fact, Mr. Jacobs paraphrased Star Trek's Mr. Spock by quoting "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." Putting this in perspective, does that mean it was wrong to enact the Americans' with Disabilities Act? After all, why should this entire nation spend hundreds of millions of dollars to ensure sidewalks, elevators, buses, planes and restrooms accommodate the needs of a disabled few? Shouldn't this expenditure instead enrich the lives of the able-bodied many? The answer to these "whys" is simple. Preserving the needs of the few is important to preserving the cultural identity of this nation. Otherwise, why bother to ensure the existence of the buffalos, bald eagles, the poor and the disabled?

All residents of Temecula need to carefully consider the city's "progress at any cost" policy. Placing the needs of the driver above the sanctity of the home puts everyone —— not just the residents of Meadowview —— at risk of having their home torn down for a convenient roadway. What you wish for today may become your worst nightmare tomorrow.

RICHARD MORIKI

Temecula

Canyon Lake contamination due to sludge

As a property owner from Quail Valley, I am alarmed to hear we have leaky septic tanks in our area! I would like to know where these supposed tanks are, and how long they have been leaking. Also, when will the county health department be notified of this health hazard? Salt Creek is the source of this pollution, you can follow it all the way to Winchester/Hemet with your test tubes. You will find human fecal matter and industrial waste farmers have been using for the last 10 years, which is washing into Salt Creek and contaminating Canyon Lake with high bacteria levels.

What about endotoxins or dioxins or heavy metals? I think the lake needs to be tested for these contaminants, which I know are there.

People with septic tanks are very careful about what they put in them. If we destroy the good bacteria by dumping heavy metals or chemicals into them, then we have to pump our tanks out! Got $400?

Some farmers are happy when someone offers to fertilize their farmland for free with soil supplements "deemed beneficial" to their crop. What is this substance you ask?

Sludge, human fecal matter, anything and everything that goes into the sewer system including industrial waste." Does it contain bacteria and viruses? You bet it does!

LONNIE GUILLIAM

Quail Valley

Questions for rabid fans of Thompson

Given the accolades and sometimes near-rapturous eulogistic praise of Hunter S. Thompson upon his recent untimely demise, my curiosity piqued. I then found there were seven questions I would like to ask friends, associates and admirers of Hunter S. Thompson

1. How about a little critical thinking here?

2. With his absence, is the world diminished somehow?

3. Will you truly miss his presence? If so, why?

4. What was it about him you valued? a. His fame —— the fact you knew him and could drop his name? b. The furthering of the "anything goes" philosophy? c. Other?

4. What was it that enthralled the minority, mostly pop culture aficionados and would-be iconoclastic writers, who found him a cultural icon? a. His irreverence or utter disdain for anything ordinary? c. His ability to find something stupid or cynically funny in almost everyone and everything not in his sphere of influence or sensibilities?

5. Is fame, or infamy, the most important legacy one can leave to the world?

6. Who else do you admire?

7. Do these questions reflect an ignorance of what Hunter S. Thompson really was and accomplished? If so, why?

DIANA JOHNSON

Temecula

Why not just believe God's word?

In response to Robert Crain's Feb. 22 letter, I too believe that God could have created humankind anywhere but, doesn't it make logical and good sense to believe what God told us he did? After all, He was there at creation and He has, through His infallible and inerrant Word, given us details on exactly what, where and when certain events occurred.

First, in the beginning —— when time started, about 6,000 years ago, not billions of years ago —— God created Heaven and Earth. On the sixth day of His creation, He placed a fully functional, intelligent man here on this earth, not some other place. God was there, He knows what He did and He has told us in quite simple words.

One may want to peruse the book "The Privileged Planet" by Guillermo Gonzalez and Jay Richards to understand that astronomers do not tell us that there are billions of galaxies in the universe that could support life exactly as we know it. Also, the book "Rare Earth" by Peter Ward and Donald Brownlee support the facts that Earth is indeed unique.

By the way, God also created and placed all the "kinds" of animals here on earth on the sixth day of creation, one animal did not evolve from another.

I believe the evolution theory is one of the most stupid and most dangerous things taught in our public schools.

BOB LEIBEL

Menifee

Diagnosing the ills of America

What's happened to our nation? In the name of compassion we've harmed the poor and stifled their incentive. In the name of civil rights, we've created lawlessness and violence. In the name of freedom of religion, we've eroded our values. In the name of equality and freedom of speech our educational system has crumbled, taking our graduates from first in the world to near last. In the name of justice we've destroyed businesses and increased unemployment, neglected the welfare of society at large, and put burdens on our nation that is breaking its back. The vision that our founding fathers had for this nation has been distorted.

Mona Charen's book, "Do-Gooders: How Liberals Hurt Those They Claim to Help (And The Rest of Us)," is an eye opener and a must read for everyone who cares about the future of America. Liberal judges, professors, politicians and media elites have foisted distortions of our founding principles on society. In the process, they've nearly destroyed the black family, instilled distrust and hate within the minority community, twisted America's true history and stolen her soul.

Ms. Charen is a genius at laying out the facts of how we got to where we are, using solid statistics and evidence to show how these liberals rip at the fabric of American society and jeopardize our children's future.

The 50-year experiment with liberalism is a proven failure. It's time we turned things around. Electing conservative leaders is only a beginning. A good start is to read Charen's book.

BONNIE PARSLEY

Murrieta

Kudos to reporting team in Iraq

Congratulations to the intrepid team of Darrin Mortenson and Hayne Palmour IV for their "Back to Iraq" series in The Californian. Risking a second assignment in Iraq is admirable enough. But their detailed, personalized and up-close reporting of the gallant men and women of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit from Camp Pendleton gave us an entirely different perspective on our brave Marines in Iraq, many on a second tour.

Mortenson's writing was in the finest tradition of Ernie Pyle, identifying Marines by name and hometown, helping us to feel we have known young people like them in our own neighborhoods. Palmour's photos illustrated the troops' pride and often frustration in helping to rebuild the town of Najaf they had partially destroyed. Particularly impressive was the coverage of 11th MEU's commanding officer, Col. Tony Haslem and Navy doctor Maureen McClenahan, whose care and compassion for the young woman who lost a leg and a foot in a U.S. attack is a side we rarely hear about in the overall coverage of the Iraq war.

As a former network news and war correspondent, I am disappointed by today's reporting by the broadcast and cable networks, the NY Times and other major newspapers. Their focus is almost entirely on combat deaths, insurgent roadside bombs and assassinations. "If it bleeds, it leads." Our good efforts in Iraq go unreported, except by Mortenson and Palmour.

They and the 11th MEU deserve a hearty "Welcome back, Marines" and a "Well Done!"

LEW WOOD

Temecula