Intellect trumps experience?

Re: Morris Shechet (Letters, Sept. 10): The CEO of the aerospace company you work for is stepping down. You have been with the company for 20 years and are next in line for CEO. However, the employee of the month in the mailroom, an employee for two years, has an IQ of 120 and your IQ is 119. He is selected CEO since he has superior intellect. You are overjoyed, in fact, ecstatic, since you know his superior intellect trumps your experience.

Regarding Sara Palin: Notice on the White House front door -- Possible job opening for ambitious woman. Liberal women only. All others go to the back door.

Steven Melcher

Escondido

Palin needs to go back home to care for son

The Opinion column by Rich Lowry ("Lessons learned from Trig," Sept. 10) admires Sarah Palin#'s choice to keep her baby at 13 weeks, knowing it had Down syndrome. He reminds us how these babies used to be institutionalized at birth, if not aborted, and how they lived stunted lives without the love, care and special education they need.

Palin's baby is only 6 months old. How can she possibly give him that loving care, plus her other children? And now she will be a grandmother of her teenager#'s child, who will also need her help, emotionally and physically. … Realize that this all occurred while she was governor of Alaska! #As vice president of the U.S.A., she will have even less time for her young family, or does she plan on traveling back and forth from D.C. to Alaska at the government#'s expense, as she does as governor?

McCain made a desperate decision in choosing her. We need a vice president who will give the job his/her full attention. #If she#'s such a great politician, then the future could see her running as president, but for now, her family needs her. Postpone the prestige, honor and glory, Sarah. Go back home!

Beverly Courtemanche

Fallbrook

Cut legislators' pay when budget is late

My brother, laughing, said to me that if the state of California had cut off funding of the state legislators' personal income and their other expenses, then dropped these same legislators down to the same minimum wage as the state employees at the same time, the state legislators would have passed a California state budget within 24 hours.

He said that because they've done nothing but sit back and screw the people of California, come November's election, any candidate with the word "incumbent" in front or in back of his name, he is voting against and voting for the other person. It sounds like a very good idea to me!

Gary Myers

Oceanside

Protect our children from Palin

Which immoral, sick and sadistic person would impose the following punishment on an underaged girl who was impregnated as a result of a rape by her father? Who would condemn her to giving birth to that child and, thus, forcing her to live the horror of the hideous crime day after day for decade after decade?

That is the evil, sick and sadistic policy Sarah Palin has brought to this year's election. God, please protect our children from Sarah Palin.

Phil Acosta

Vista

Ponytail just a symbol of what is wrong

I got a chuckle out of the rebuttal letters regarding the ponytail (Letters, Sept. 4). The ponytail was just a symbol of all that is wrong with this woman. I understand she has [rarely] traveled until just recently. … How can you understand the world if you haven not been to or seen places and people in it other than Alaska? She does not even understand the Fannie Mae situation.

I totally agree with all the letters against Sarah Palin. This country is filled with wonderful smart people who have different views. What I want in the White House are two people who understand this, who care about us as Americans, with all our various ideas and needs, as well as in the world and will act accordingly in the our best interests. I have certainly had enough of the Bush/Cheney/Republican agenda. Do you really want this woman or John McCain imposing their skewed views on your lives?

Jan Fisher

Encinitas

Barack Obama's deceitful rise

Barack Obama is a fraud. His rise to the Senate is amply punctuated with the dirty tactics of the Chicago political machine and a series of lucky breaks. According to David Freddoso's book on the Democratic nominee, "The Case Against Barack Obama," his first political win came by getting rivals thrown off the ballot for a state senate seat. Although the incumbent had obtained more than twice the required 757 signatures needed to get on the ballot, Obama's team went to work getting enough signatures disqualified to get her thrown off the ballot. … This is the touch of an old-style politician hiding behind the banner of "change" and "hope."

He talks eloquently about honor and democracy, but what honor is there in getting rid of other candidates and denying the voters a choice?

This was only the first move in a rapid and deceitful political ascent. Obama has a long list of close associates, including the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Antoin "Tony" Rezko (now a convicted felon) and the Chicago political machine of Mayor Richard Daley. Given his choice of past associations, wouldn't you wonder what team he would bring to the White House? More later.

Ernest Sparks

Vista

Farrah Douglas on the inside track

Your article on City Council candidates in Carlsbad ("Carlsbad Six need scrutiny by voters," Sept. 12) characterizes Farrah Douglas as an "insider," which, in this age of political polarization, is often seen as a negative. A much-better definition for her would be: someone who has chosen to be deeply involved in her community.

Farrah's list of accomplishments is available for all to see on www.farrahdouglas.com. More important for many of us Carlsbad voters is that we have had "inside" experience working with her. In my case, that involvement has been through the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce.

Does she know and serve the community? Yes, inside and out, working for businesses through the chamber, for military men and women through wounded soldiers programs and raising a lot of money for our schools. This has been 20 years of inside commitment. Wouldn't it be great if all council candidates did that kind of run-up to elected office, instead of remaining outsiders to the process until inspired to hunt for votes?

It seems to me that Farrah's commitment gives her the inside track in this election.

Joe Charest

Carlsbad

McCain has shaken up progressives

John McCain sure has shaken up the presidential election with the bold selection of Sarah Palin. Progressives/Socialists/psuedo-feminists have demonstrated foaming at the mouth, often causing sufferers to viciously blather.

I agree with J. Howard Crews (Letters, Sept. 11) that it is horrible when innocent children are killed in the ravages of warfare. If he would be so kind as to point out which wars in history were fought without the loss of innocent noncombatants? (foot tapping …) Remember, when we lose the will to fight, we will lose our freedom.

And a big thank you to Chris Pulse (Letters, Sept. 11). Until I read his vitriolic contempt for the "majority of Americans," I was never able to put a face on the domestic portion of "all enemies, foreign and domestic." How ironic that his letter, offering comfort to our enemy, would appear on Sept. 11. So sad! And so pathetic.

Finally, to our "Jesus was a community organizer" crowd -- cute, but inaccurate. Jesus is pleased to be treated reverently (for a change) by leftists, but he never read Saul Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals."

Alexandra Cloney

Encinitas

Flag story was gossip, not news

To Lee Davis, Oceanside (Letters, Sept. 12): The American flags in trash bags after the Denver convention reference is silly, and the story has been debunked. The Democrats were storing the flags in plastic bags, planning on using the flags again. Putting trash into a plastic bag makes it a trash bag; using a plastic bag as a conveyance makes it a storage bag.

Accusing the Dems of not caring enough about the flags fits into the stale GOP rhetoric that Democrats are less patriotic than you. Enough, and not true!

To Gerrie Ryan, Escondido (Letters, Sept. 12): The half-brother of Barack Obama is indeed living in Kenya; his income has yet to be verified. But it is not $1 a month. Regardless, why is Barack Obama responsible for his income? Your real point, of course, was why doesn't the press in the U.S. cover this story. It's not newsworthy. It's gossip.

Dan Dameron

Vista

Valley Center solar plant versus Sunrise

Re: "Solar plant to be finished in two months," Sept. 12: As the article points out, large-scale solar projects will save money, create green jobs and reduce global-warming greenhouse gases while moving us toward energy independence.

By contrast, Sunrise Powerlink will cost ratepayers dearly, increase global-warming greenhouse gases, unnecessarily destroy local communities and open spaces, and block our transition to renewable energy for generations. The more practical, environmentally responsible plan, San Diego Smart Energy 2020, can be jump-started with the right package of incentives, just like those discussed in this article.

As this article aptly points out, we have smarter energy alternatives than SDG&E's Sunrise Powerlink, an expensive glorified extension cord to fossil fuels. Now is the time for San Diego's leaders to take action to boost smart energy incentives and oppose the unnecessary Sunrise Powerlink proposal.

Elizabeth Randol

Carlsbad

Tell us the true cost of solar

The Sept. 12 North County Times article on the Valley Center solar plant is highly deceptive "Solar plant to be finished in two months". It touts the low cost of power but fails to count the cost subsidized by taxpayers.

Solar power is very costly, and taxpayer subsidizing is simply like raising our taxes. Come forth and show the real costs of the solar plant from conception to finalization, and compare these costs with conventional energy costs. It is shameful, too, that they brag of "profits" to be accrued when, in actuality, they are imposing costs on taxpayers!

The taxpayers have a right to know the true costs and not be deceived.

Bob Sheard

Oceanside

Find answers that don't include drilling

I am grateful we have two presidential candidates who understand the threat to our future posed by global warming. John McCain sponsored one of the first bills in the Senate on climate change.

I also understand the strain our economy faces with rising energy prices. But I am concerned about the McCain campaign's focus on drilling offshore. While we need to exhaust all avenues when it comes to providing energy for our nation, we must put our highest priority on energy that will lower carbon dioxide emissions -- not on expanding the oil economy.

The last few years have brought unprecedented weather events to the Gulf of Mexico. Do we want to build more drilling platforms in the Gulf, only to have them destroyed on a regular basis by hurricanes? I believe that we as Americans are more creative than that. We sent a man to the moon, developed computers and brought the Internet to people around the world. When we put our minds to it, we can innovate beyond our wildest dreams. I am certain we can find an answer to our energy needs without having to destroy our coastlines in the process.

Judy Berlfein

Encinitas

McCain unfit for the job of president

Sarah Palin's qualifications and record and answers to questions during her only interview raise serious doubts about her qualifications. However, it's John McCain who worries me; he has demonstrated his unfitness to be president because of his dishonesty, anger, lack of knowledge and hypocrisy.

McCain's now under fire for his dishonesty. … Claiming that Obama favors teaching kindergarteners about sex is both dishonest and low-class. … In short, McCain will say anything to get elected.

McCain's temper is legendary. Fellow Republican Thad Cochran (R-Miss) said McCain as president sends chills down his spine. McCain sang a song about bombing Iran and pondered killing their civilians with tobacco. We don't need another angry administration.

McCain, as well as Palin, has shown a disturbing lack of knowledge about the world, and admits he doesn't know economics, computers, or the problems Americans face. McCain has flipped on numerous positions (tax cuts, torture, etc.), criticized Obama for using a phrase he uses and claimed Obama is running for ambition while he's admitted that's why he wants the job. McCain is running a cynical, lobbyist-friendlyand hypocritical campaign.

Paul Cavanaugh

Ramona

One's sexual preference is never wrong

As far as one Adrienne Brown is concerned, I would like North County Times to be proactive and cancel … Brown's subscription themselves (Letters, Sept. 14). This will save her the trouble since she is shocked and disappointed.

She says, "We all know this is wrong" -- we who? Where does her data come from? … One's sexual preference, whether gay or straight, is not wrong, but is a part of the genetic makeup of each person. Religion has nothing to do with it. It is not a sin, nor is this a moral issue. It wasn't long ago when interracial marriage was considered wrong in many states, and it too was forbidden. Those laws got changed, and the world didn't stop spinning on its axis.

I urge those who have questions or prejudices to take some courses in human and sexual development, and perhaps there can be an appreciation for all people without concern about anatomy. As far as the children are concerned -- watch out, they may surprise you one day!

David Spruill

Vista

First Bush, now McCain tries to fool America

The Republican convention is over. Their message was clear: Only Republicans care enough to put America first, and only the Republican Party can save and protect us. In other words, down is up and bad is good.

Yes, who better to solve the problems we face than the party who created them? Who better to protect us than those who have done such harm? And who better to stand for truth than those who have done the lying? We were taken into Iraq with (now proven) carefully chosen lies.

And in the past eight years, the agencies and laws created to benefit all America have been eviscerated to financially benefit a few. Genuine fears regarding religion and terrorism are seized upon and manipulated to gain support and garner profits. And worst of all, Christianity is championed but the teachings of Jesus Christ are ignored.

Anyone not yet outraged is either benefiting from the lies or isn't paying attention. First Bush, now McCain -- fool America twice, shame on us.

Kim Perl

Carmel Mountain Ranch

There is a way to fund the parade

As I have said before, have the Christmas Parade at one of the high schools or even at the park ("Prospects dim for Escondido Christmas parade," Sept. 12). Kit Carson is perfect. Check out these figures to provide police services: Cruisin' Grand, $31,200. Christmas Parade on Broadway, $15,500. Fourth of July, $11,000. First Night Escondido, $9,200. Grape Day Festival, $980. Take the event off the street, you save money.

So, if the Jaycees have a grand, they can pay for police services and have the parade at Kit Carson. Stop pulling everyone's chain here. … Put up or shut up. …

Jan Morrical

Escondido

Dog park is a privilege: Follow the rules

Last Friday, at 6 p.m., my 25-pound dog suffered a sudden, unprovoked attack by a Rottweiler just as I leashed him for departure. Fortunately, someone nearby dragged the large dog away.ˇI was too shocked to react, and grabbed my dog up and quickly left. I would like to thank whoever it was who helped. I also remind my fellow dog lovers that the city of Encinitas has given us a privilege that doesn't occur, to this extent, in any other city in which I have lived or visited. Unfortunately, some dog lovers fail to recognize dangerous traits.ˇ

No breed has a genetic tendency toward aggression. Certain breeds are simply so strong that they cannot be controlled without advanced training. I encourage the person who loves this Rottweiler to consult with a breeder, vet or trainer to see whether there is a remedy to the aggression. If there is not, the dog should not be off-leash when other dogs or people are present.

Jane Bondurant

Encinitas