Common sense from Escondido

The Escondido City Council has shown some desperately needed common sense on the issue of illegal immigration ("Escondido votes to draft ban on renting to illegal immigrants," Aug. 17). How refreshing!

Illegals broke our laws when they broke into our country. They overcrowd living spaces, park cars on lawns, overcrowd schools, hospitals. Many steal citizens' Social Security numbers and obtain other fraudulent documents. They bring down wages for citizens.

This is all documented. It is not racist (buzzword) to expect people from any country to obey our laws and get in line and come across legally. My daughter-in-law came here legally five years ago. It took one year with medical checks, verification of a citizen sponsoring her, and she learned English before she came. I forgot to mention the drug smuggling, which is terrible for our children.

The real outrage is in Texas, where two Border Patrol agents are being harassed for catching a drug smuggler with over 700 pounds of drugs. There is a fund to help those agents; you will find it on Lou Dobbs' TV program or the Internet.

FRANCES CAPPELLETTI

Escondido

The epitome of callousness

The action Wednesday night by three of our illustrious council members is a disgusting breach of trust to the voters. When elected officials vote to kick people out of houses, causing them to go live in canyons and cardboard shacks, it has reached the epitome of callousness.

Good going, Ms. Marie Waldron, Mr. Ed Gallo and Mr. Sam Abed. May you never have to experience poverty. Now that you have succeeded in your quest to ethnically clean Escondido, I suggest that all three of you and all your business supporters put up big signs on your places of business stating "Illegal aliens ññ we don't want you or your money."

Elected officials are voted in to better their communities by enacting laws that improve the lives of residents. You have failed miserably. I don't see how you can sleep at night, or how you justify your actions to your Creator.

And to you anti-immigration cowards who spill your hatred anonymously through the newspaper e-mails, your lack of identification says much about your character.

ANDY PINO

Escondido

Questions for the council

The humanitarian decision by Escondido's City Council to enact a law that forbids renting to illegal (Mexican) immigrants "to combat overcrowding" brings a number of questions to mind. Is this an example of conservative limited government? Has money been allocated to defend this obviously unconstitutional law against the inevitable lawsuits? Will a companion law be enacted that forbids the buying and selling of any product or service provided in part or in whole by the efforts of illegal immigrants?

Will the new law be enforced by the existing police force or will enforcement depend upon neighbors informing on neighbors and/or children informing on parents? Will informants be issued gray jackets, brown shirts, ski caps and combat boots?

Will landlords be reimbursed when they experience increased vacancy rates? Will businesses be reimbursed for financial losses occurring because of lost employees and customers?

Or, will "Hoovervilles" be constructed just beyond the city limits to house those made homeless by the law?Finally, since Escondido is a Spanish word, will the city be changing its name to Cracker Creek, Jim Crow Corners, or Redneck Valley?

STEPHEN CARTER

Escondido

NCT fails all Americans in Escondido

The North County Times Aug. 18 editorial "Escondido wants more homeless kids" was misleading, factually incorrect and a slap in the face to every American citizen. The editorial was full of blatant lies and rhetorical innuendo contrived by the staff of this horrible newspaper to solicit sympathy where none is due.

I stand behind Marie Waldron, Sam Abed and Ed Gallo in their attempt to rid Escondido of the social and economic scourge that is turning Escondido into a Third World city. They are truly looking out for American citizens in Escondido. The editorial staff of this newspaper, on the other hand, continually forwards opinions that are detrimental to our community.

I don't want Escondido to turn into an American-in-name-only border town. American cities are for Americans and invited guests who come here legally.

If you're not here legally, go back to your real home country and stop trying to steal ours. If you truly want to work here, go through the process outlined by our immigration laws. The NCT has convinced me that it's time to amend the 14th Amendment so anchor babies can't be used as the excuse to justify breaking American laws.

JOHN CUSUMANO

Escondido

Continue to fight the illegals

It's about time that the Democrats got it right. Illegal immigration, anything illegal, is counter to the security and prosperity of this country.

The Republicans are so worried about a political backlash, but are not worried about the citizens of this country, only about their political success. The welfare of this country and its people are not important.

Secure the borders and remove the corporate magnet of jobs.

MIKE SCHMID

Encinitas

Jews are like everyone else

Heck, it's easy for some non-Jews to be anti-Semitic. A great part of the world is, and it's much harder to buck the norm than to join it. You simply accept those who say Jews have caused this, it was the Jews' fault that that happened etc., etc., etc., and the slurs that follow naturally.

But if you are a true anti-Semite, like Mel Gibson, and he has that right, you would not have anything to do with anything that is Jewish, like say, Jesus Christ. It certainly makes little sense to kneel before your Lord on Sunday and slur against him or his kind, like his mother, father and so on, the rest of the week.

It takes an above-average person to understand that we are just like anyone else. We don't stick together, we are pushed together. We like peace, health and happiness for ourselves and offer those wishes to everyone. Many times we turn our other cheek. Many times we give back to Caesar what does not even belong to Caesar.

And we, just like you, have our Star of David to bear. So the next time you get the urge to use a slur against a Jew, ask your Creator if that's what he or she would want you to do. If not, you can tell him/her when you meet.

ALFRED MARTON

Poway

More money from taxpayers

Isn't the Sprinter debacle enough warning ("Federal agency withholding $66.5M from Sprinter," Aug. 18)? The more we taxpayers subsidize the Oceanside beach resort, the more we are held hostage and blackmailed due to escalating costs that certainly can occur, especially when the developer has us at his mercy.

A hotel is great, but not at any price or risk. Let us hear from the taxpayers, not just the city folk who play politics and worry about re-election. I repeat, a hotel is fine but there must be alternatives as to developers.

Personally, I would like to see a riverfront stadium named Seau in which he might fund partially. What a great thing, but just wishful thinking.

BOB SHEARD

Oceanside

Help the uninsured

I am appealing to the North County Times to help me and the other California residents who, while working more than full time, or working for a small business, still cannot afford health insurance.

Please help us. Personally, I am to the point that I'm having nightmares, afraid that I will develop an illness that will strip me of my savings and leave me destitute and unable to work. It is a horrible prospect.

BETH BERINGER

Encinitas

No aid to Lebanon

Congressman Issa is requesting millions of taxpayer dollars to help rebuild Lebanon. This is completely unacceptable. They yell "death to America" in the streets, they are occupied by terrorists, and the president of Lebanon openly stated that they will not disarm Hezbollah. Hezbollah will start attacking Israel again and this time Israel will finish the job. How about all the damage to Israeli cities?

Did Issa visit Israel when he was there? Has he requested aid to rebuild Israeli cities? I think not. We gave an amazing amount of aid to Indonesia after the tsunami and what did we get for our tax dollars? We got "Death to America." Enough, no more aid, especially to countries that seek to destroy us.

We have our infrastructures falling apart, highways crammed, we need those millions. We need our border secured. No more aid to terrorist countries. Lebanon is gone ññ it's now Iran West.

JAY BERMAN

Vista

Insurance for everyone

Living in the United States of America, where we are said to have the best life, it is almost impossible to obtain insurance if you have ever seen a doctor before, because the insurance companies will decline you for anything. We need insurance for everyone and insurance that will cover everyone!

MARK EDMONDS

Escondido

Mel Gibson got off too easy

Let me get this straight. The average guy gets pulled over for DUI, then tries resisting arrest and makes racist remarks to the arresting officer. He would be immediately handcuffed and taken into custody, his car impounded and the next day be indicted for his crime. Then he would probably be put in jail for six months, plus a few years probation and have his license suspended for a year or so.

Now fast-forward to Mel Gibson being arrested for DUI, resisting arrest, making racist remarks, etc., and he is not cuffed at the scene. His mug shot looks like one of his 8-by-10s that he would autograph. He is released on minimum bail and then sentenced to three years probation.

Instead he and his father (from whom he probably learned) should be sentenced to three years of community service at the Simon Wiesenthal Center and watch the History Channel coverage of the Holocaust.

Plain and simple, the man sounds like an anti-Semite and no amount of contrition is going to change his mind. Too bad he has more money than God so he couldn't be hurt financially. I just hope that all of his future endeavors are box office flops, but, unfortunately, the public has a short memory.

JACK STRUMPF

Escondido

Marines serve our nation

Although I doubt this letter will make its way to the pages of the North County Times, I believe it is necessary to at least make the effort to respond to the wrong-minded information being passed in your letters page. John Naranjo refers to our Marines as "killers" (Letters, Aug. 20).

The men and women who serve our nation in combat should never be trivialized with sensationalized titles. In addition to fighting, our nation's warriors are helping the citizens of other countries (like Iraq) improve their own situation. They serve our nation and her citizens (including Mr. Naranjo) and ask for nothing in return. They are members of the most worthy vocation of all the profession of arms.

TYRUS MOULDER

Oceanside

Administration is power hungry

The Bush administration keeps telling us we need to give them extra powers to fight terrorists. This is disingenuous. The British uncovered a major terrorist plot last week using legal and ethical means.

It's obvious to me the Bush administration is power hungry and will use any means, including the manipulation of classified documents, to escape any oversight and get what they want.

It is important we support our Constitution and end their power grab and get these dangerous men and women out of office!

JAMIE KRAWEZ

Pauma Valley

Health care needed

Having adequate health care for everyone is a dire need in our country. It kills creativity when people have to stay in dead-end jobs in order to keep their health care plans for their families.

This affects everyone in the end.

KAREN ROSLIE

Encinitas

Our freedoms inspire hatred by Muslims

Christine Caropino's simplistic, short-focused, anti-Bush diatribe claiming that Bush's policies have increased terrorism (Letters, Aug. 16) reflects atypical liberal willful ignorance and lunacy.

While President Bush's mismanaged foray into Iraq reflected his evangelical naivete, the Carter cowardly administration ushered in the current -- not the first by far -- wave of Islamist terrorism. Presidents Reagan, Bush Sr. and Clinton did nought to reverse that trend.

Foolish liberal/greenie opposition to alternative -- read: clean, efficient -- nuclear power worked to establish our overwhelming dependence on fossil fuels, thus enriching those who fund the terrorists.

Our freedoms do indeed inspire Islamic hatred. Our energy, our broad education, our inventiveness, our sciences, our goodness and decency, our entrepreneurship, our tolerance -- even our tolerance of the intolerant -- all inspire Islamic hatred. If our government impoverished us, took away our civil, economic, religious and social freedoms, the terrorists would be overjoyed.

JIM HORN

Sun City

'Big Bang' fits science laws

"The Big Bang theory is also in conflict with all the known laws of physics, and this too is one of evolution's conflicts." (Irvin Forbing, Letters, Aug. 16).

Wrong on all counts. The Big Bang was discovered by physicists. They didn't find any conflict with the laws of physics. Also, although creationists often like to dump all science they don't like into the theory of evolution, these are really unrelated topics.

CURTIS CROULET

Temecula

Bennett just what Murrieta needs on council

On Aug. 16, Susan Hall wrote "City Hall needs some estrogen." I bet she was surprised the next morning when she read that Kelly Bennett announced her candidacy for a position on the Murrieta City Council. She may be just the woman Susan was hoping for.

It is important to note that Kelly Bennett is a mediator with Mediation Law Group, a nationwide firm. That's just what the council needs -- someone who settles disputes and helps people avoid lawsuits. She is a wife, mother, writer, speaker, trainer, Christian and the president-elect of the Southwest Riverside County Bar Association. She is just what the council needs: a multi-talented businesswoman who majors in dispute resolution.

Take a look at Kelly's bio at www.kellybennett4murrieta.com and elect an estrogen-packin' councilwoman.

KAREN ROBERTSON

Wildomar

Investigation long overdue

So Murrieta's recalled mayor has been arrested and charged.

Jack Van Haaster's staunch following of developers and people who "earned favors" over the years will continue to call foul. Wake up! This investigation was long overdue and we're confident further information and accomplices will be revealed. It's time for Murrieta politics to be cleaned up and become respectable.

PAT & INGRID MCCARTHY

Murrieta

Timing biggest issue between evolution, Bible

Except for the timing of events, which can be explained by Einstein's time dilation equation, Bible and scientific theories seem similar.

The Bible says God created heaven and earth. The Big Bang theory says that in the beginning there was a ball of matter sitting in space, and it blew up.

The Bible says that in the beginning the Earth was without form. Astronomers say it condensed from a cloud of dust.

The Bible implies the sun was created after the Earth. Astronomers would agree that the heavy elements in the earth were formed in other stars that exploded in supernovas, so the elements that make up the Earth were formed before our sun condensed.

The Bible says that plants came first, followed by animals and then man. Evolutionists would agree.

It is possible that some people evolved, while others were created. There is also another theory. Movies such as David Bowie's "The Man Who Fell to Earth" contemplate that some people were dropped off here by alien spacecraft.

These people walk the Earth never quite feeling at home. They probably frequent Star Trek conventions dressed like Romulans or Klingons, and have bumper stickers that say "Beam Me Up Scotty."

JAMES MERCER

Lake Elsinore

Quarry will transfer, not reduce pollution

I find it interesting that some of our neighbors who are in favor of having a very large open-pit aggregate mine in the path of our fresh air source misinterpreted a study paid for by Granite Construction Co. The comment I read was that the proposed mine will "improve the quality of life in Temecula." The draft air quality study by environmental firm Kleinfelder Inc. shows that the Liberty Quarry will add approximately 10 tons of PM10 particulate matter (silica dust) and 7 tons of "smog causing nitrogen oxide" per year. Their chart is able to show a net reduction of these two air contaminants by including "SCAQMD Offsets."

One of the services South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) provides is the purchase and sale of emission reduction credits. This process allows a company that is reducing the amount of pollution they discharge into the air to sell those "pollution rights" to SCAQMD. This means that pollution that was taking place in L.A., Orange County or Riverside/San Bernardino can now be transferred to us.

The issuance of an operating permit for a mine gives the legal right to add 150 pounds of PM10 dust to our air daily. This is 46,800 pounds (23.4 tons) per year. This is one of the regulations under which Liberty Quarry would operate if our county Board of Supervisors decides to give them an operating permit.

The purchase of SCAQMD offsets does not reduce the contaminants in our Temecula air.

DAVID L. PRUITT

Temecula

Nicholson will work hard for region

Laurel Nicholson is the Democratic candidate running to represent us in the 66th Assembly District. Laurel has the support of the local Democratic Club of Southwest Riverside County because she is an intelligent, dedicated, reliable and energetic candidate.

As a local resident, a wife and mother, as a businesswoman and as a conscientious citizen, Laurel demonstrates her strength and ability to fulfill the demands of this position. She has been recognized by the speaker of the state Assembly for her contributions to women in business.

She is an ambassador for the Murrieta Chamber of Commerce, and a member of other chambers and community groups. Now is the time to bring to our state Assembly another strong citizens' advocate. Vote for Laurel Nicholson for the 66th Assembly District.

DOROTHY ROBERTS

Murrieta

Political or not political?

During the meeting to vote for an ordinance to try to get rid of undocumented immigrants in Escondido, there was only one Escondido resident who supported Mrs. Marie Waldron; all the others were outsiders who do not care about our city.

It is time to unite and do the best for our city; we are going to start cleaning up schools and graffiti on our streets. I invite every Escondido resident to show Mrs. Waldron that we are not a racist town and that her political ambition will destroy this beautiful city.

The cost of this ordinance will be very high and will divide the community. She, as a council member, has failed to enforce the health ordinances to prevent overcrowding in this city, and now she wants to invent something to bring attention to her. She knows that this ordinance is unconstitutional and illegal and that it never will be enforced.

I hope she will accept my invitation to meet. The worst thing that can happen is that I'll invite her to donate blood to the Red Cross, as I do every two weeks; or I may ask her to help me build a house with Habitat for Humanity, or to volunteer in a school, like I do two to three days per week. I love this community and I want the best for it.

What cost will Escondido have to pay for Waldron's ambition?

DANNY PEREZ

Escondido

Web Comments:

An article Monday about the popularity of the Web site MySpace.com and the concerns it raises among parents, educators and law enforcement prompted these responses from readers:

Devilish tool

Perri: Myspace is just another one of the devil's devices.

Watch out

dt: Who is watching the watchers? More local police have been arrested for sexually assaulting kids than people from MySpace. Is anyone watching those who watch over us? Parents … do not overlook Yahoo 360. Content (is) MUCH worse than MySpace and it isn't making the news.

Don't post info

Parents Fault: Teach your kids NOT to post their real info … how dumb can you be? I bet these are the same idiot parents that freely give out their phone numbers/ZIP codes at the stores. They can set their profile to private as well.

Islamic center

Readers had this to say on an article Monday about a local Islamic center opening its doors to the public to encourage the understanding of Islam:

Take a stand

JD: I welcome an increased understanding of the Muslim faith, however, this article does not mention that the Muslims from this Islamic center condemned the terrorists in any way! Why can't they, Muslims in America, band together and stand up to take a stand against the terrorism that is killing hundreds of thousands in Iraq, Israel and around the world! Until they do, people will continue to disbelieve them and wonder WHY!

Wagon not around

El Jefe: Reality is that the new immigrant to the USA seems less likely to assimilate into the general American culture and population and more likely to maintain those differences which cause them to stand out & be noticed as foreign. Even second generations of certain cultures resist being absorbed into the American mainstream. Maybe the old Welcome Wagon doesn't quite make the rounds like it used to.

Watch closely

Concerned: Yes … it's all our fault and our government's because we put politics above religion. With that, I say we watch this group very closely. They obviously will put their faith above all else. Until peaceful Muslims stand up against the atrocities their religion has caused, they will not have a warm welcome in the United States.

Police move quickly on surf camp investigation

Readers respond to an Aug. 19 article on the Oceanside Harbor Police ordering instructors at the Surf Institute camp to stop alleged discipline, or hazing practices, that include putting children in beach trash cans, rubbing food on them or giving them "pink bellies."

Ridiculous charges

Outraged: "This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard from any type of news. I attended OSI this summer with recommendations from friends, and all I can say is I'm counting the days to go again next summer - that is if these other overprotective, assumption-making parents don't mess it up for everyone else. If you take to time to notice the photos and observe the camp for yourself, you'd see the huge smiles on everyone's faces. There is only playful teasing; pizza in the face, yes, but with smiles and all. When I went a 7 year old was the one who got pizza'd and he couldn't stop laughing. Please, all who know this camp, step up and help us out. This is horrible, and without this camp, I'll have nothing to look forward to next summer and for summers to come."

Learn to surf yourself

oberg: "Oceanside has too many surf camps. Learn to surf on your own. Start with a boogie board. Waves are limited resources. Too many Barnies in the water these days, with big boards. GO HOME!"

Depravity isn't hazing

Stop It Now!: "Parent who defend hazing are the same ones who defend it when their kids commit homicide in college during haze week and who endorse all kinds of torture among same-sexed pledges to amuse the brothers. Alcohol toxicity, depravity and humiliation, are all forms of hazing. For the love of god, stop it now. Don't let some counselor get off by torturing your kids. "

It's a witch hunt

Confused: "I know the people that run the Oceanside Surf Institute. They are wonderful people who only want to help children with a low-cost summer camp. Sure there are lots of surf camps at $450 per week, but who can afford them? Reading the irresponsible journalism in the North County Times, and the uninformed comments by the readers, why not try tar and feathers? It the same as any witch hunt. Ignore the facts and go with mass crowd hysteria. My daughter taught surfing at the camp for five years. She also taught for the city of Oceanside for two years. Because she is a world surfing champ, and has traveled the world for competition and judging. The owner of the camp has the same credentials. And you have people suggesting they go to training. With seven years experience and 12 years competing, when does the training start? I'm sorry but to ruin a young man's life before anything is researched, and to jump to conclusions based on the word of a 7 and 9 year old, says a lot for this newspaper's credibility, and the mentality of the people who are jumping on the band wagon. I hope the NCT, when

all is said and done, prints a follow up story on the truth."

Coyote alarms Escondido residents

Readers respond to an Aug. 20 article on fear from neighbors on a quiet Escondido cul-de-sac over a prowling coyote they blame for killing seven of their dogs and cats in the last month.

Animals belong indoors

Easy: "Keep your animals inside"

Leave habitat for wildlife

Lynne: "Stop building and leave habitat for these creatures. Don't feed them and scare them away."

We are to blame

Nick: "If we would stop all this crazy over development and destroying all their natural habitat, they wouldn't be struggling so hard to find food. The animals they usually prey upon are disappearing with the habitat also. We only have ourselves to blame."

No longer scared of people

fiestyone: "Yes, we need to do something though I see the same coyote in my yard everyday walking around my yard in the middle of the day. I have lost a rabbit and a cat. He's just not scared of people!"

Coyotes are opportunists

To Nick: "Coyotes have been taking animals from farms since the beginning of time! The biggest reason is because it is easier then hunting! Coyotes are opportunist. Blaming it on over development is way to easy. Humane trap (very expensive and who will pay the bill), then relocation, however then he will torment a farmer or somebody else."

SDGE rates confuse, upset consumers

Readers respond to an Aug. 21 article on SDG&E rates confusing and upsetting consumers

Don: "The baseline amount is much too low. The baseline amount should be raised at least 100 KW because modern homes have a lot of electrical equipment as part of our standard of living. The current baselines reflect an era long past and therefore are out-of-date with reality. In the future, the baseline should be the average consumption of a modern-day equipped home, not a log cabin with a light."

Open your wallet: "I am wondering how many low-income SDG&E customers are illegal? Also I signed up for the discount/rebate and got a box put on my air condition unit. So when we got the heat wave SDG&E turned off my air condition through the box, but my bill still doubled and I didn't receive the $25.00 rebate."

Scott: "The real problem is the lack of competitive choices. Hence, SDG&E has no incentive to avoid gouging the end-user (aka 'customers' with companies that have to compete to satisfy them). My electric bill increased three times in July, even though we kept our AC use to a minimum (evening to cool house down). Solar is looking very appealing!"

Vista Granny: "Wow! Almost $700 a month for electricity? I'd say Ms. Drahos needs to learn how to conserve a bit. Was this for one person? How big is her house? Does she keep three TVs and all the lights turned on 24 hours a day? She should probably just be grateful she has the money to pay the bill. What kind of work does she do?"