Media 'hatchet job' on Palin a myth

Stanley Peterson, in his Sept. 26 letter claims that the media is doing a "hatchet job on Sarah Palin." This is yet another Palin myth that the Repugs and their minions are trying to propagate.

Factcheck.org has found many completely false and misleading statements regarding Palin, but not from the media or the Obama campaign. It's coming from the McCain-Palin camp. They are still spreading the lie that Obama sent a team of lawyers to Alaska to "dig into her record and background." This has been shown to be false. Factcheck.org has not yet had to dispute any claim from the Obama campaign about Palin.

After Palin's embarrassing interviews with Katie Couric, it's no wonder the McCain campaign is trying to create distractions and portray Palin as a victim. If Palin doesn't want to be "attacked," maybe she should just stop telling lies, or maybe she should cooperate with the bipartisan Troopergate investigation as originally promised, or maybe she should make herself more available to answer legitimate unscripted questions from the media. After all, she is running for the vice president and should be carefully scrutinized prior to the election. Exposing truth does not automatically qualify as an "attack" or "hatchet job."

Steve Farrar

Vista

Who is benefiting from lobbyist money?

Here's something to ponder: From The Nation magazine, Sept. 1, money spent by lobby groups in Washington, in 2007/08, and who got it. Freddie Mac spent $13 million, $258,300 going to Democrats; Fannie Mae spent $8.5 million, $568,100 to Dems. American Bankers Association spent $10.3 million, $803,400 to Dems, JP Morgan, $8 million, $1.7 million to Dems; and Citigroup spent $12 million, with $1.9 million going to Democrats.

Ironically, the gist of the article was how much more Democrats were getting this year than they usually do from these organizations. Still a pitifully small percentage in comparison with Republicans. So whom do you think might have the people's interest at heart when cooking up a bailout plan with these very same companies?

You should read what companies like Verizon, AT&T, or the American Medical Association spent lobbying in Washington, and who it went to. It would help determine whom you want to vote for and why the present administration is not working for your best interest. To find out more, read The Nation, filled with actual facts.

Kathryn Gould

Vista

More to being pro-life than banning abortion

Each of the 1.2 million abortions each year is a failure of two people, but also a failure of this country that did not provide an environment where the unborn are valued enough to provide for them. Abortion is a relatively quick, cheap and easy way to solve the problem of an unwanted pregnancy, but raising a child is difficult, expensive and takes much of a lifetime.

The cost to raise a child is $250,000. Family health care premiums are about $12,700 per year in the U.S., but 47 million are uninsured, including 20 percent of childbearing-age women. The U.S. spends twice the average of 30 other wealthy countries on health care.

Each year, about 750,000 teens in the U.S. become pregnant -- 82 percent are unplanned. Teen pregnancy rates in the United States are twice those of Canada and Great Britain and eight times those of the Netherlands or Japan. …

There are about 1.2 million victims of rape in this country. According to the Justice Department, 50 percent of rape victims are under age 18; 17 percent are under age 12. In many places, violence is a way of life. … Overturning Roe v. Wade is a simplistic solution. The real pro-life work involves improving these statistics and promoting adoption.

Mike Thielk

Fallbrook

A vote of confidence for Don Brust

Hooray! Finally, someone with a vast amount of common sense and medical knowledge is running for the Pomerado Health District Board of Directors. This is someone that we can vote for with confidence.

Don Brust has proven his leadership ability as an eight-year member and also as president of the Bonsall Board of Education. I worked closely with Don as a fellow member of that board and watched his courage to make changes and voice opinions in the interest of the children of the district.

This is not the only situation where Don has shown versatility and leadership. He has made the local Rotary a more effective community group. No one could get activities organized and up and running like Don. His business sense was developed and displayed as the owner of his free-standing veterinary hospital conducting laser surgery. He has done all of this with humor and understanding, practicing a persuasive and supportive manner to deal with friend and foe.

Don has the knowledge, tact and time to make our hospital board the best it can be. He certainly has my vote!

Dr. Shirley

Kazarian

Escondido

We need a patriot in the White House

Amen to Leon Smith's letter to the editor on Sept. 20! Nancy Pelosi and others laid flowers at Hiroshima, Japan's memorial of first atomic bombing. … Did she lay flowers at the USS Arizona for our brave sailors who died in Pearl Harbor (as Leon Smith mentioned) when attacked by the Japanese on Dec. 7, 1941? Don't forget the World Trade Center, Sept. 11, 2001, and the USS Cole and American embassies attacked around the world.

"It's the economy, stupid," that got Bill Clinton elected. Clinton was offered Osama bin Laden three different times and turned him down during his presidency. We do not need an appeaser, we need a real patriot in the White House in these perilous times. Think! Vote for John McCain and Sarah Palin in November!

Dick and Lois

Campbell

Vista

Brust brings knowledge to hospital district

Why Don Brust for Palomar Pomerado Hospital District Board of Directors? Don is a highly educated medical professional (doctor of veterinary medicine), business man (owned a free-standing hospital, grower for more than 40 years, school district budget committee), civic leader (past president of two Rotary Clubs, eight-year member of Bonsall Union School Board), and a man of integrity (Olympic official, twice selected). He will bring a vast and varied background to the board.

Don is dedicated to any task he undertakes. When confined to a wheelchair, he still helped his Rotary Club with its major fundraiser. He lives the farthest away from where Rotary meets, yet attends all committee meetings. When one of our members lost her home in the Rice Canyon fire, he was there to help. He quietly asked what she needed, made up his shopping list and delivered the goods. Few knew of the generosity, as Don was quiet about it.

Don is a team player, yet an independent thinker; a good listener, but will speak up when appropriate. Please vote for Dr. Donald Brust for Palomar Pomerado Health District.

Stephen Plank

Fallbrook

Prop. 8 doesn't change definition of marriage

A very serious issue is facing voters this November in California. Proposition 8 is an initiative that threatens to eliminate the right to marry for same-sex couples. Our Constitution was designed to provide equal protections under the law for all of us in California and should not be used to treat people differently. That's what this election is all about -- fairness and equality. For that reason, our Founding Fathers created a republic. A republic must guarantee the rights and freedoms of the majority, as well as the minority.

Gay couples do not have the same rights as traditional married couples. Public employees cannot obtain long-term health care. Also, in case of an accident, partners may be denied to ride in the ambulance when their loved one may need crucial life-or-death decisions. These are only two of the many differences.

Please, no one is changing the definition of marriage. The dictionary also defines marriage as "any close or intimate union." Remember, tradition also supported slavery, not allowing women to vote, no interracial marriage -- the list goes on. I'm urging you to please vote "no" on Prop. 8.

Bill Graff

Vista

Show brought tears to our eyes

Sunday (Sept. 21) was one of the best days ever. We spent several hours at the Harbor Days festivities and had just a wonderful time. The free double-decker bus ride was double fun, the Nail and Sail race was an absolute hoot, the Pirate Ship shoot-out was really real, the free entertainment was terrific, and the variety and quality of the food and merchant booths were irresistible.

The absolute best part was all the military vehicles with proud Marines and Navy men willing to show and explain the function of each craft. At closing, those who stayed to watch them leave really enjoyed a spectacular show.

The Hovercraft is just an amazing sight rising off the ground and into the sea. When the amphibious tanks ran down the boat ramp and hit the water, it was to thousands of cheers of appreciation and gratitude from the public. Brought tears to our eyes. Oceanside is just a great city, and a big "thank you" to all who so diligently planned and participated in giving us such an enjoyable, perfect day.

Patricia Ruth

Oceanside

Sarah Palin naysayers

I vote independently every election and wanted to know more about our Republican vice presidential candidate. I was in Costco and picked up a book, "Sarah," by Kaylene Johnson, published in April 2008 (prior to her being named the VP nominee). I am totally amazed at what this lady has accomplished. I suggest everyone read this book; it will really open up your eyes.

I am so against the good ol' boys network, and she had a nonstop battle against the Alaskan complex. … Please, pick up a copy and read it. Also, you can pass it on to your friends. … Truly a marvelous book. I could not put it down until I had finished reading the history behind this legitimate and honorable lady.

Phyllis Brown

Fallbrook

Let's be sane about toll road

Please, folks, let's be sane about a toll road in San Clemente. Can you imagine thousands of added cars dumping into a newly formed bottleneck in north Pendleton? And remember, the pro side calls it "access to the beach" (among other things) for the inlanders.ˇ

San Onofre and Poche, south of the plant, hold only a few hundred people. Let the arrogant Americans who think only lowlifes use public transportation sit in the traffic this will create. We need alternative ideas and useful public transportation. The numbers we are being told regarding pollution are skewed in the pro favor. How will adding traffic decrease pollution? That's a far stretch, I'd say.

Chris Allen

Oceanside

Prop. 8 has everything to do with what is right

Let me get this straight. The pro-gay folks, who are doing everything in their power to justify their … sexual practices as normal and are attempting to equate [that] behavior to ethnicity, are now trying to redefine marriage to suite their desires? What's next? Maybe alcoholics should get special rights as well, and drug addicts, too. I'm sure the polygamists and pedophiles are anxiously waiting in the wings.

Proposition 8 has nothing to do with rights, it has everything to do with what's right. Do not get suckered by fake reverends or militants who cry about equality. Men and women are equal, but they are not the same. That's what marriage is all about, one man and one women becoming one, just as God made it. Vote yes on Prop. 8, for society's sake.

Jeff Piva

Carlsbad

U.S. now Union of Soviet Socialist Republicans

For years now Junious Montgomery, William Ficere, Fidel Jiron and their "ilk" have been arbitrarily branding anyone who didn't agree that Dubya was the best president ever as "socialists." I was wondering how they feel about their beloved leader now that it's apparent he's a bigger socialist than Hugo Chavez? In fact, with the debt ceiling now about $6ˇtrillion higher than it was the day Scalia voted him in, Dubya makes Chavez look like a piker.

Not that I have a problem with socialism, mind you. As a retired beneficiary of the biggest, most-expensive socialist entitlement system ever devised (the U.S. military), I think socialism is just peachy, and I wouldn't trade my socialized health care and pension for all the private insurance and retirement accounts the Wall St. welfare queens want to sell me.

But what should we call an economic system that requires constant government intervention through currency, market and interest rate manipulation, taxpayer bailouts and total tax immunity for its wealthiest participants just to survive? I don't know, but it sure ain't free-market capitalism. Or maybe that is what it's called, but it looks more like socialism for the greedy vs. the needy to me.

Wayne Strache

Sonoma

Prop. 2 is an easy decision

Why wouldn't you vote yes on Proposition 2? The answer is so easy for me and for thousands of other people here in California who are voting yes on Prop. 2.ˇWhy do these animals have to suffer by not being able to stretch their legs or even turn around in their cages?

Voting yes on Prop. 2 improves our health and food safety, safeguards the environment and supports family farmers. I'm not a vegetarian, but just knowing that these animals have to live out their short lives in these conditions breaks my heart and disgusts me.

Prop. 2 is a modest measure that stops cruel and inhumane treatment of animals, ending the practice of cramming farm animals into cages so small the animals can't even turn around, lie down or extend their limbs.ˇ How could you not vote yes on Prop. 2? It's an easy decision for me.

Andrea Huiner

Carlsbad

Criticism boggles the mind

I've been reading the staggering assertion from conservative commentators that criticism of Sarah Palin's experience or ability is sexist. Watching the conservatives, those fiery opponents of the politically correct, try to call legitimate questions posed to the person proposing to be second in command of the United States frankly boggles the mind. …

Further, saying that pointing out Palin's lack of qualifications for the job has been called sexist, I can only believe those making the accusation are so self-delusional as to be incapable of functioning on their own. Suggesting that Palin can't defend herself is about as sexist as you can get. Is this a vice presidential candidate, or a spoiled child standing for office?

Garth Gregory Hansen

Escondido

U.S.A. should buy houses, not worthless paper

Instead of buying near-worthless financial paper … the U.S.A. should buy the distressed homes themselves; that is, pay off the mortgages and own the homes. This should calm the markets. The U.S.A. would then own an asset -- millions of homes -- which would largely offset the $1 trillion, or so, the cost of the homes. This money would be gradually regained as the houses were rented and sold.

We would be foolish to pay off the bad mortgages, as the big financial institutions would like, while allowing them to continue owning the homes. If this happened, they would clear the titles and sell the homes for a profit of probably $1 trillion, while the U.S.A. would be stuck with a bill of the same size.

There should be no problem if Congress decides to take a few months to work out the proper actions; the U.S.A. can make the payments on the mortgages each month. … The financial institutions must find the way to clear the title to each home before we buy it. If they can't, or won't, we shouldn't buy. If the big financial institutions can't survive, even with a bailout on 5 million bad mortgages, then let them fall, like Enron.

William Parks

Oceanside

Let markets heal themselves

The market problems of the 1980s, when 3,000 banks failed and interest rates hit 21 percent, posed a greater threat to the economy than the current crisis. The economic instability was resolved in the financial system in a much more disciplined and rigorous way than taxpayers printing money for Wall Street.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation … resolved thousands of problem situations, issued net worth certificates to get the nation through the credit shortage. The agency also regulated transactions with banks with subordinated debentures and promissory notes, assumed power over executive salaries and controlled dividends to restore health and rigor to the market.

The FDIC also adopted a contingency plan to nationalize all institutions in the event it was necessary. The cost of the entire enterprise was $1.8 billion, resolving over $100 billion in problem institutions from the FDIC insurance fund, paid for by the banks, not the taxpayers.

In other words, the market was used to heal the market, not set up a big government bureaucracy at the U.S. Treasury, run and overseen by the very reckless people who caused these problems in the first place. Let's repeat the process.

Richard Urias

Escondido