Irresponsible photo

Printing the photo of a person cooling off in a refrigerator seems irresponsible and dangerous (Back Page, July 19). That could be a deadly suggestion to a child, who could panic and not be able to get out.

JANE FLAMMANG

Encinitas

Definition of a terrorist

I thought Gwynne Dyer's July 9 article on terrorism was very enlightening ("Nelson Mandela, the terrorist"). Dyer says that even the saintly Mandela ññ who, in spite of spending 27 years in prison, became the leader of his people against apartheid in Africa ññ was seen as a terrorist.

George Washington wanted change and was labeled a terrorist by the British.

Likewise, Spartacus and his slave army revolted against Rome. China's Mao Tse Tung was a guerrilla fighter. North Vietnam defeated us with guerrilla tactics. Finally, in Iraq and Afghanistan, the guerrilla fighters have extended the war for over three years.

Dyer further discusses the impact of the global war on terrorism: "Rational discussion of why so many Arabs are willing to die in order to hurt the United States is suppressed by treating it as a support for terrorism. This causes the whole phenomenon to be seen by most people as irrational and inexplicable."

Only by closely studying the history of the region and its people can we understand the Arab mentality. Then we will know how, when and why we got ourselves into this mess. Once we understand that, we'll more clearly understand what we have to do to extricate ourselves.

JOHN NARANJO

Oceanside

Together, America can do better

I have seen days when America was at peace, and we Americans did not harbor fear of attack and invasion. I have seen days when we Americans could travel overseas and be treated with respect for no other reason than that we were Americans. I have seen days when Americans had good-paying jobs and had hope that tomorrow we could forge ahead and have an even brighter economic future. I have seen days when Americans had the hope that we could work hard to raise and educate our children, knowing in our hearts our children would have a better life, better health care and a better world than we had.

I have seen days when we trusted our leaders, believed they had honest advisers and were taking our country in the right direction. I have seen days when we believed in tolerance, justice and human dignity. I know such an America is possible, because I have seen it. I believe we can rekindle new hope, generate a new will and choose wise new leaders who will bring America back together again.

I know in my heart that together, America can and must do better.

J. HOWARD CREWS

Fallbrook

Recognizing the good that is happening

I've subscribed to the North County Times for a lot of years. I read it from front to back. I'm writing in regard to the front page. I'm well aware of the war going on, but too many times we see only the bad that is happening. Well, I wish to change that for one day.

On June 29 I attended a retirement ceremony for a good friend by the name of Master Gunnery Sgt. Ralph Medina. The gentleman retired after 30 years of military service with the United States Marine Corps. It was an honor to be a part of it. We do not recognize the good that happens such as that enough. It was a ceremony I will remember for a long time to come. I wish him and his family many more good years together. God bless.

BEATRICE CHARLOTTE SCHWOCK

San Marcos

Letter writer does have a point

In response to Marianna Settles (Letters, July 2), while I stand by my statement that the speeding analogy is flawed, I really can't argue the fact that people get away with it most of the time (except, of course, when it's you who screws up). I also can#'t argue with the fact that if people can get away with breaking the law, they will. The point I was trying to make was the difference between the two on the chance that the lawbreaker was caught.

As for this quote from the aforementioned letter, "If no one would break the law by hiring those desperate people, they would not come. Maybe we should go after all those people who do the hiring and get them to pay our share of that extra tax money. They are the ones to blame," I am in complete agreement. In fact, if she would refer to my April 14 Community Forum, "Facts missing from rally coverage," found at nctimes.com/articles/2006/04/14/opinion/commentary/19_07_384_13_06.txt, I suggested something along those lines in that piece.

VICTOR CHABALA

Oceanside

Liberals jealous of the wealthy

This is in reply to Elyse Boozer's letter of July 17. Where does she get her information? I am one of the 70 percent who is in favor of abolishing the estate tax.

First, it is double taxation and unconstitutional. But, most of all, these are the people who build this country, and who are the employers and donors of billions of dollars to charities and organizations such as the YMCA. Without them, we would be greatly taxed to pick up the bill.

Ms. Boozer, and all liberals, stop your jealousy and hatred and thank God we have people with the intelligence and talent to amass such fortunes. Remember, wealth brings tremendous responsibility ññ more than I care to be burdened with.

BETTIE HELDRING

Escondido

Israel shows its arrogance?

I simply disagree with Mr. William Dreu of Vista (Letters, July 18). What arrogance? The state of Israel was created in a peaceful and legal process. The U.N. mandated the creation of two states ññ the state of Israel and another state for the Arabs. The Arabs rejected their state and launched a war against Israel.

From 1949 to 1954, 800,000 Jews were forced to leave Arab lands. This was a loss of $2.5 billion in property.

In August 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew from the Gaza strip, and removed all Israeli settlements.

In 1977 Zahir Muhse'in stated the creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against Israel.

RICHARD HAYES

Oceanside

Bilbray represents oil companies

In the July 16 article by Edward Sifuentes, Brian Bilbray says he voted for offshore drilling because it shifts the decision to local control. But this bill actually makes it easier for oil companies to obtain drilling rights, including removing existing requirements for environmental review, limiting public participation in specifically where and how to drill, making it more difficult for states that want to bar drilling and reducing royalty charges to oil companies.

The bill also limits the ability of the federal government and states to take action under any law that would interfere with oil drilling. Accepting Bilbray's spin on his positions does not give voters the real facts ññ that Bilbray continues to represent the oil companies over his constituents in the 50th District.

VALERIE CHERESKIN

Encinitas

No T-shirts for illegals

I believe that since the federal government is not doing enough to curb illegal immigration, the city of Escondido needs to take direct municipal legislative action. I believe it is a waste of time to petition our federal legislators when, instead, Escondido could pass a local ordinance. I am proposing that the City Council adopt a municipal code requiring all T-shirt vendors to verify the immigration status of their customers before selling them a T-shirt.

This proposal has considerable positive aspects. Illegal immigrants walking around without any T-shirt on would be a dead giveaway to Customs officials.

Bare-chested illegal immigrants would not be allowed in any grocery stores or restaurants. Soon Escondido would be free of these pesky people without T-shirts. The resultant drop in population would reduce school crowding, traffic congestion and housing costs.

No T-shirts for illegals!

RICK PAUL

Escondido

Pandering politicians are criminal enablers

The raging illegal immigration firestorm that is sweeping over our communities and nation has many negative facets, from rampant crime to massive overcrowding in our neighborhoods, hospitals and schools. Most local pandering politicians are criminal enablers and are part of this problem.

Mayor Morris Vance of Vista and Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler of Escondido are two of the worst. Both communities have serious welfare and safety issues because these mayors have intentionally fostered a hands-off, sanctuary policy toward the thousands of illegals in their communities and have created a climate where gangs, anarchy and violence are rapidly escalating and going unchecked.

Escondido City Councilwoman Marie Waldron recently showed a lot of courage and leadership in suggesting that landlords and businesses be sanctioned for knowingly accepting illegal aliens for business. This trend is sweeping the nation as well and speaks to another dirty secret. That of large-scale squatting in many of our community canyons by huge numbers of illegal immigrants.

Wake up! We're being invaded and colonized. We need new, bold leaders to combat this invasion.

SAUL LISAUSKAS

founder

Encinitas Citizen Brigade

Cherry-picking history

In his letter of July 16, Robert Green of Escondido correctly asserts that the British did not have the legal authority to establish a Jewish state. It is, however, getting increasingly difficult to know from whence legal authority is derived.

The Balfour declaration was accepted by the Zionists as being, somehow, an enforceable promise. Of course that was wishful thinking on their part, but subsequent events appear to have validated their optimism.

The question of whether the Jews have a right to a homeland, whether Israel has a right to exist, especially in roughly its present location, is not likely to be settled soon ññ if at all ññ by rational discussion. The matter that most inhibits rationality is the point in history from which discussion is to proceed. The problem is not about rewriting history, but rather about cherry-picking it.

DAVID HORWITZ

Vista

What's destroying the U.S.A.?

President Bush's mistakes pale in comparison to what is really happening in our country today. Allow me to name a few: 1. The media, for reporting all of the White House's mistakes, and ignoring the fact that their disclosure of anti-terrorism measures have hurt this country's ability to fight terror groups.

2. The unions, which are bleeding businesses dry with their useless demands.

3. The illegal immigrants, who need to enter the country the legal way and not cut in line.

Remember the India bombings, the terrorists' plots in Canada and in the N.Y. subway? There is a real war going on here!

GARY KUEBITZ

Poway

All (humans) guaranteed basic rights

The inmates at Guantanamo are not "guaranteed basic rights" (Nadine Scott letter, July 5), they are sub-humans, brainwashed by the Imams of Islam to kill anyone not already brainwashed by Islam. They are not uniformed members of anything, and they are certainly not signatories to the Geneva Conventions (which they reject outright by their atrocities).

And they are certainly not imbued with any "inalienable rights" by the founders and framers of our Constitution, which these subhumans and their Imam-brainwashed cohorts are trying so desperately to overthrow (both our government and Constitution). That is nothing short of treason, Ms. Scott, and for which both you and I know our founders and framers would have had them taken out and shot on the spot. For sure they would not have given them the courtesies and comforts of Club Gitmo.

So the majority of our Supreme Court has just overstepped their bounds by misconstruing our Constitution and conferring U.S. citizenship rights on a group of noncitizen animals whose allegiance is to Islamofacism (Islam), whose main stated goal is the overthrow of the government of the United States.

NEIL TURNER

Carlsbad

If you can't pay, you can't play

I never really gave a hoot one way or the other about the Oceanside airport. That is until I began watching the parade of crybabies at the City Council meeting last week. A gentleman should not attempt to own anything he cannot afford to properly maintain, whether it is a wife, a car, a horse, a dog or an airplane.

I notice Leon Page conveniently left out the $450,000 in airport arrears cited by Councilwoman Esther Sanchez ("Airport's failure is the council's failure," July 18).

Obviously he doesn't like what is going on. Too bad. I am not exactly bound at the hip to any of them, but I voted for all five of them at one time or other, and there are now three of them that I agree with most of the time. They are doing what I had hoped they would do on every important issue that comes up. This to me is a wonderful experience. It is not often that politicians win elections and actually do what you hoped they would do when you voted for them.

Those pikers who are complaining about the increases in costs at the airport should either sell their planes to a man who can afford to properly own and operate one, or pay through the nose for all the care and comfort their frivolous possession requires. Just as I do with my frivolous Mercedes-Benz.

JOE ELLIS

Oceanside

Bush needs our prayers

We appreciate greatly the writers saying they pray for this country and its leaders. And there's no need to chastise Democrats who also do, and who speak out for what needs prayer in the first place. I don't recall a White House ever needing more prayer, surrounded by false claims from Cheney, world-dominating neocons, swift boat distorters and a double-meaning secretary.

Indeed, Rice said the Israel conflict "has nothing to do with our invading Iraq," but then one minute later said, "Hezbollah Shiite are desperate to attack because our noble effort spreading democracy in the Middle East scares them." This internal contradiction proves it isn't noble.

Please understand that God doesn't force himself on anyone, and neither should we. Helping those who ask for democracy, great, but forcing democracy on civilizations was never our right. Some Shiite asked for help deposing Hussein, but when did that include forcing Middle East democracies and also equipping an anti-Semitic, pro-Iran, Shiite Iraq military? Building up a foreign military is anti-Washingtonian.

Democracy isn't a sure cure-all for terror, jihad cults or cancer. For example, Hamas was elected.

RICHARD

SAUERHEBER

San Marcos

Immigration not the only important issue

It seems as if the most debated topic recently is illegal immigration. The Opinion section of this newspaper is flooded with letters arguing whether we should grant amnesty to those who came here without green cards or deport them, and everywhere I go I see people debating about what should be done. I can't help but wonder why so many people pay attention to such a trivial topic.

It seems as if everyone has forgotten about the war in Iraq, global warming, the AIDS epidemic in Africa and poverty in our own country, and drawn all their focus to illegal immigration. When you compare this issue with many other potentially catastrophic and vital issues, whining about foreigners sneaking into the country and working for next-to-nothing seems juvenile. Maybe the government spends billions of dollars on health care and education to illegal aliens, yet doesn't the government also spend billions on a meaningless war?

Illegal immigration is a controversial topic, but there are many more pressing issues to debate over.

James Regan

Chaparral High School

Students should take opportunities to pass the exam

The California High School Exit Exam was required for the class of 2006 to graduate high school across California. The exam is based upon eighth-grade math and algebra along with 10th-grade English.

I believe that passing the exam should be a requirement for all high school students because it shows a background of knowledge that the student has acquired throughout their education. To have the opportunity to pass the exam up 'til their senior year is a gift, and a majority of students have taken it for granted.

As a senior this last year at Temecula Valley High School, the fear of not receiving my diploma was out of the question because I passed the exam when I was a sophomore. I believe that the requirements for the exam are basic education and that if students cannot pass, they should not be able to walk and receive their diploma for completion of high school.

In comparison, students with disabilities such as not being able to understand the test or those who have learning disabilities have a complete disadvantage when it comes to passing the exam. A majority of students can't comprehend English and this leaves them at risk. A simple suggestion would be to receive help by any means necessary to pass the exam.

Michael Bacarella

Temecula Valley High School

District should really consider recycling plan

During these years at my cherished alma mater, I began to realize the immense amount of litter disseminated around campus. Unlike rival schools in our area, Temecula Valley High School does not have a recycling program. The mere fact that our school has 15 soda machines but no recycling bins is an environmental disaster. Along with three other students, we have decided to establish a recycling program at our school in order to make a difference on our campus. This program will not only help our environment but also cause a reduction in the school's trash bill. Our main goal is to create a better learning environment for the students and help the environment along the way.

Also, I hope that this new program may inspire the school district to adopt a mandatory environmental awareness policy that will encourage recycling in young people throughout the area.

Mailaine Patton

Temecula Valley High School

City needs to inform residents of construction

Recently, there has been an increased amount of road construction on Highway 79 South. Construction takes place on certain days and certain times at various locations. This makes it extremely difficult for motorists to get to their destination on time.

I live in the Redhawk community and work across town. Traffic is so bad that it can take up to 30 minutes just to get to my job. A situation like this one can be very costly with the increase in gas prices. Construction causes stop-and-go traffic and this wastes a substantial amount of fuel.

I believe that if residents and motorists in this area were informed about the construction schedule, it would save a number of people a lot of trouble, time and gas.

Fred Reyes

Temecula Valley High School

Web Comments

Vista files response to restraining order application

Readers respond to our July 22 story about the city of Vista's legal team saying that the federal court should deny the temporary restraining order requested this week by two organizations seeking to block enforcement of the city's new day-labor hiring law.

Fair practice

AC: "The TRO should fail, the city should be able to regulate 'street hiring' practices within its borders. Employers have used 'casual help' categories for years - where does this fall into the scheme of things? If the employers need access to these workers, the employers should set up a legitimate hiring center, just like every other industry in America. Kids with 'lemonade stands' get in trouble but day laborers can stand around anywhere and pander their services? I wonder how many Romanian, Greek, French and Russian day laborers are in those ranks? All from one culture doesn't seem fair, does it?"

Reflects on U.S.

Mark:"If a city can't make and enforce their own laws here then what does that say for the United States as a country? That any cry baby can come along and sue or get a restraining order against someone is ridiculous. Vista, I respect what you are trying to do."

No truck target

Tom: "Hooray for the ACLU and the CRLA! I am a contractor and since I don't feel like hiring 'lazy' (you know who you are) Americans; my business is first so I can feed my family and put food on their table. I mean, who are you kidding? Like I am gonna post a permit on my brand new truck and let the whole racist city of Vista vandalize my vehicle?"

Smoke screens

This Is A Nothing Law: "This so called regulation does nothing to control the problem of illegals & day laborers. It only registers the people who hire them. It's a big dog with no teeth that the city hopes will distract you all long enough to forget about the real issue at hand."

New name for ACLU

El Guero: "The ACLU sometimes has taken courageous stands protecting the civil rights of American citizens, but challenging Vista's day-labor hiring ordinance is not one of them. I see them as actually infringing on the rights of Americans by adopting the cause and advancing the interests of foreign nationals who, in most cases, have broken U.S. laws by entering and residing in the country illegally. Perhaps it should consider changing its name to the un-American Civil Liberties Union."

Unpaid recount fee: no recount for 50th

Readers respond to our July 22 story about voter Barbara Jacobson's request for a recount of the June 6 special election ballots from the 50th Congressional District being halted because the woman requesting the recount did not pay a required fee.

Cough it up

typical: "Like most Dems, whiner Barbara Jacobson fails to put her money where her big mouth is…"

All costs more in SD

Guiseppi: "Can anyone explain why the SD County Registrar of voters arbitrarily set the price of $1.00+ for each vote recounted, but Orange counted charged on $0.14? There is something fishy about this. After all, Orange County is a higher wage area than SD. I think he is stonewalling. He will be hearing lots more about the sloppy way he is running the election process. INTEGRITY in government guarantees our liberties."

What's next

Ron: "Oh, but this is not over yet. She will find at least one judge to say her civil rights were being violated, because she is simply to poor to pay for the recount. The judge will say: It's the cost of good government and fairness, that she be 'entitled' to a recount, and the Registrar of Voters will do the recount, at county expense; the Registrar of Voter's requirement that she, a poor citizen, be required to pay 'a fee' to cover the additional cost, it's not fair to her as a person, regardless of economic status, and in fact is the same as a poll tax, thereby, violating her rights as a voter."

Protesters converge again in Vista

Readers respond to our July 22 story about city employees visiting a popular hiring site to inform people about a new Vista law that would regulate the hiring of day laborers while activists on both sides of the issue protested at the same site, including Claudia Smith, a day labor advocate.

Is it November yet?

vistaresident: "INTERESTING city - they are protecting illegal immigrants and yet they can stoop to any means to stop a new business from coming in just because they don't like some of their products. These city employees need to educate themselves. I can't wait until election day."

Signs are pointless

Miguel: "The signs [provided by Smith] have nothing to do with the ordinance - Claudia is such a politician. Nobody is limiting the day laborers, they are regulations on the employers. If this inconveniences the laborers but begins to preclude the illegals from working, it will be fruitful for all concerned. Again, it is a fight to control illegal immigration, not legitimate actions."

Thanks, Claudia

Jeanine: "If the signs were not in English some would not be happy with that. The fact that Claudia explained what the signs said and meant was positive."

For lawbreakers

Angry: "Minutemen, get those illegals out of here! And Claudia Smith, you should be ashamed of yourself. Why are you an proponent of illegal immigration? You know it's against the law to be here illegally, don't you? So why do you want people to break our laws?"