Unethical practices led to mortgage crisis

That master of mendacity and misinformation, Richard Kirk, was up to his devious tricks on Tuesday in a column he wrote placing the blame for the subprime mortgage debacle at the feet of "progressive political forces" ("Good intentions, bad loans," Feb. 19).

According to Kirk, the good-hearted banking industry - the guys that charge interest rates on loans that make Mafia dons kneel in awe - was supposedly pressured by these progressives into loaning money to racial minorities, thereby giving blacks and Hispanics the same right to foreclosure as whites.

If you really want to be informed about the subprime issue, I suggest you go to the Web (mortgagedaily.com, or cnnmoney.com, for example) or a library and find out about all the indictments and investigations that are going on against predatory lenders and unethical business leaders who used the subprime market as a Ponzi scheme to bundle and sell, and resell, loans to do the one thing banks live to do - make money. Giants like Merrill Lynch and Citibank didn't need to be pushed into the frenzied lenders pool by progressives; they jumped in with their greedy little eyeballs popping with glee. Richard Kirk's omission of these facts is predictable and pathetic.

Wanda Beck

Solana Beach

Acreage must be preserved

The editorial in the Feb. 19 issue of the North County Times regarding Rancho Guejito was superb ("North County's sleeping giant," Feb. 19). The vast amount of land should be developed into a state park.

I hand-carried a letter to the governor's office last May, begging him to get involved in helping to save the last large land grant in the state. No one is asking the Coates family to give the land for a park. Yes, they should be compensated. How that could happen is admirably stated in the editorial. Or perhaps one of our major public figures, some of whom are committed to environmental issues, would get involved.

While I was in New York, I tried to track down the lawsuit that is apparently filed in the Supreme Court there in New York. I am still researching. Apparently, the man who believed he was named steward of the land is in a legal contest with the heirs, one of whom apparently lives abroad. True, I don't have all the facts, but am among one of many who would work diligently to make the thousands of acres into a state park. Again, the money is an issue to be addressed, but a pledge to preserve the acreage is the first step!

Vivian Doering

Escondido

Many of these people don't need the money

Regarding the $166 billion or $205 billion stimulus plan: House Bill: $500 to $600 to individuals earning less than $75,000 per year, $500 to $1,200 to couples earning less than $120,000 per year and $300 additional per child. Senate Bill: $500 to individuals earning less than $120,000 per year, $1,000 for joint income less than $300,000 per year and $300 additional per child. Except for the first line, most of the above people do not need this money. If they receive the money, a majority of them will probably place it in their savings account, and that will not stimulate the economy. Why not divide the billions between those making less than $75,000 per year? They are the ones who will spend the money. They truly need it. If the purpose of the giveaway is to help the economy, place the money where it will be spent.

Carl Boatright

San Marcos

Only in America are babies given botox

Oh, my God! The U.S. FDA is having to warn mothers not to have their babies and children treated with botox injections because of the number of child deaths due to botox ("FDA warns of deaths in children treated with botox," Feb. 9). In my opinion, any mother who does this should have her child taken from her, and she should be taken out back and beaten with an ugly stick to match her ugly mind!

It's like having a tattoo put on a baby or child (don't laugh! I've seen babies and children in Wal-Mart and Nordstrom stores with tattoos on their little arms). However, so far the U.S. courts don't see this practice as child abuse. Amazing, isn't it?

Gary Myers

Oceanside

Billions over Baghdad is bankrupting U.S.

The Iraq war and our present economic woes are intricately connected. The law of cause and effect has thrown our country into a recession. Pouring $495 billion into this illegal war has caused our mounting economic woes. Spending $338 million a day on an unending war that should never have been started causes hardships on millions of us in all phases of our economic pursuits.

We Americans know that we are supporting this atrocious war on our backs, and the burden has become more than we can bear. This war must be stopped and the spending stopped before our country is bankrupt!

Jerry and Judi

Cunningham

Vista

A good way to fight childhood obesity

Regarding "Oceanside school unveils new track": I applaud the efforts of Karen Johnson and the Gibraltar Foundation in bringing attention to the important issue of childhood obesity. It is refreshing to see that as an Ivey Ranch parent, Karen Johnson has been able to make a difference at a local level as the co-founder of the Gibraltar Foundation.

The track and field provided to students at Ivey Ranch Elementary School implies that not only is the health of children important, but it also lets children know that they matter and many are willing to donate money because they matter.

As a nursing student at the University of San Diego, I am able to see the emotional effects, as well as the physical effects, of childhood obesity. In many cases, childhood obesity will increase the cases of heart disease and diabetes, many of which would not be present had childhood obesity been properly addressed. It looks like the track and field is already working. …

Laura Sullivan

student, University of San Diego School of Nursing

Encinitas

Iraq is causing a recession

California is certainly in recession, along with the rest of the country. This is caused in large part by the $338-million-a-day expense of Iraq. Insecurity in the Middle East is directly responsible for the doubling of gas prices since the war began. No matter how much old men like Cheney and McCain love this war, we cannot afford it.

Philip Stone

Pauma Valley

Why did Bilbray vote against good bill?

As I read the Sunday, Feb. 17, paper, I found Nick Leibham's Community Forum on the Energy Independence and Security Act ("Bilbray on wrong side of energy bill," Dec. 17). Remarkably, that bill was a bipartisan effort signed by President Bush seeking solutions to our huge energy problems.

It is expected to reduce what we, the citizens, spend on gas and oil. I can understand why 50th District candidate Nick Leibham calls it a good bill for all of us. My question is, why did Congressman Bilbray vote against it?

Patricia McFarlane

Encinitas

Media give too much attention to murderers

In the aftermath of the NIU and VT tragedies, why is so much personal information about a violent killer being given in the media? When will we, the public, let newspaper/TV/radio reporters know that this type of news can be reported without naming a killer. Using the word "killer" or "murderer" is sufficient. When the killer also kills him/herself, what is gained? They hope their name will be known through exposure in the news.

Reporters could draw a line between reporting facts and reinforcing negative attention. Specialists could still delve into a killer's history to determine motives, giving that personal information to the victims' families. Knowing more about the murderer could help them in their personal grieving process. This tactic is preferable to giving the publicity that encourages others to copy heinous acts. The general public could demand that a killer's name not be released.

Earning a B.S. in psychology and sociology showed me that for some people who yearn to be recognized, even negative reinforcement is better than no reinforcement at all. In order to encourage acceptable behavior in children, we attempt to give them more attention for their positive behavior than for their negative behavior.

Merry Williams

San Marcos

Web Comments

Old Encinitas gas station recommended for removal

Readers respond to our Feb. 23 story about a report prepared by a building inspection firm recommending that an old gas station on public property at the corner of Vulcan Avenue and E Street near Encinitas City Hall "is in extremely poor condition" and should be removed. Officials are debating the idea of having either a parking lot or a skateboard park placed at the location.

Cars, not kickflips

BOB: As much as Encinitas needs more skateboard facilities, the city has a greater need for additional downtown parking. A busy intersection, bordered by an "at grade" train crossing on the corner of Vulcan and E Street is an inappropriate location for a skate feature.

Third choice?

Encinitas: A parking lot? A skateboard park? Are you kidding? Surely the city can come up with something better than that for a prominent corner just at the gateway to our government buildings (city hall and the library). Maybe an information booth for the city, or something more aesthetically pleasing. Better to preserve it as a piece of automotive history than either of those two options.

Back in the day

Bo: A relative of mine ran a car parts store at that location about 30 years ago; back when the Mayfair market was the anchor store of the shopping center that is now city hall. The building was in pretty bad shape then, I can't believe it has lasted this long!

Ready, set, mow - Clearing effort starts in San Luis Rey riverbed

Readers respond to our Feb. 23 story about a few dozen public servants and politicians cheering Friday as a large yellow woodchipper gnawed through the trunk of a sycamore tree in the San Luis Rey riverbed, marking the symbolic start of a long-awaited effort to rid the waterway of choking brush.

Yay, us!

Randy: After at least a decade of abject failure to do their jobs, our elected officials hold a self-congratulatory ceremony!

Paving paradise

San Luis Rey: Thank you for mowing me. The trees and animals that live in me are in the wrong place; they should only live in National Parks (unless there's oil). If only I could be lined in concrete like Mr. Issa wanted. Then, I could be covered in graffiti and trash. Better yet, cover me entirely so nobody would ever have to look at me or play in me again!

Now what?

What's the plan?: Kudos all around and nice photo op, but where was our mayor? He was front and center for the photo op last time out on the river. We still do not have a plan or a cost for the maintenance of the river. It is nice to finally have a start, but it would be nicer to know that this maintenance effort will be sustainable. It was not sustainable last time - you remember that donít you, Mayor?

More than a minute

Quote: "We could not wait one more day, one more minute, to get started on this project." Funny quote considering they aren't really starting until Tuesday. Now that everyone has gotten their triumphant moment of glory, they better just make sure it really happens.

Escondido criminal illegal immigrant sweep the first of its kind

Readers respond to our Feb. 23 story about Escondido police taking into custody 15 criminal illegal immigrants, people who have been formally deported from the country only to return, three-day sweep that inaugurated a new department policy that allows officers to check the immigration status of almost any suspect, drawing criticism from Latino activists.

Enough!

Escondido: The only reason illegal activists like Flores feel that they have a valid argument here is that Escondido has gained a reputation for being a safe haven for all illegal activities. We have been way beyond tolerant. Now we dare prove that we are not the illegals' co-dependents and will be proactive in attacking the issue. Flores can move his sideshow to another city. Our resources are stretched far enough dealing with our homegrown criminal element.

Makes sense

Tuck: These people break into our country, then proceed to commit a crime. Anyone who is opposed to these types of sweeps is a complete idiot.

Dangerous move

Pluto: Escondido is playing with fire again, pandering to a vocal, nativist base. This intentionally divisive behavior will be perceived as an outright attack on the Latino community. Instead of promoting understanding and trying to heal the community, the hard-hearted and thick-headed leaders of Escondido inflame tensions. I'm afraid they will reap what they sow.