Appointment of Republicans disingenuous

President Obama blew it big! It is said that politics makes strange bedfellows, and it is truly sad when a person of his stature stuns the community with such disingenuous appointments of those Republicans to positions in his cabinet. A preponderance of people at his beck and call, so to speak, were equally and even better qualified, and could and should have been exploited. Yes, exploited for their vast experience within the democratic body politic, not those looking to feather their nests.

It might appear a tad trite and even verge on vindictiveness to adopt the attitude "to the victor belongs the spoils," but let's face it, those spoils represent the differences between the two political parties, and those appointees belonged to the Republican Party that drove our U.S.A. to the edge of destruction.

It is tilting at windmills to assume that this "mending of fences" approach is going to change the Republican way of thinking in their attitudes and services. These "political" appointments are just not the way to do it. While I cringe at the inevitable conflicts, I remain ever-hopeful.

Melvin Barnert

Oceanside

Jews have forgotten 'never again'

Dolores Wiener's recent letter shows attachment to Israel (Letters, Jan. 30). She attacks me and fabricates misinformation, obviously ignoring history. Give Palestinians Gaza? Come now, Dolores, Sharon never did anything without reason, e.g.: my Jan. 9 letter.

I ask Israel's supporters, does "concentration camp" ring in your ear? Israel made the largest concentration camps in history, West Bank and Gaza. Does indiscriminate killing of innocent Palestinians perceived as ethnically different ring in your ear? Seventy years ago is not eternity, but deeds are!

Does fighting Germans from the Warsaw ghetto or fighting British troops sound familiar? Palestinians are fighting for the same reasons: liberty, freedom, property, and a country of their own.

When Jews say "never again," are they warning Jews or mankind? If it's mankind, then Jews have failed to understand their own lesson. … Do WWII war crimes sound familiar? Israel's Hanukkah "shock and awe" qualifies as war crimes. Jews at the top of the food chain and intimidating letter writers have already forgotten, "never again."

I am pro-American, Dolores, can you make that claim? You are among intimidators who benefit a foreign government at America's expense, in the process attempting to silence letter writers whose loyalty is to America.

William Dreu

Vista

Stimulus plan an obscene spending spree

I strongly disagree with this obscene spending spree, a.k.a. stimulus package, which appears to be targeted at paying off loyal political party supporters. It screams, "To the victor go the spoils," rather than responsibility of the elected office! A lobbyist-enriched bill is confirmed by the paranoia for democratic consensus derived from public review and securitization. I am enraged as I watch the rush to vote, closed-door meetings and doom and gloom used as justification for such a lack of irresponsibility. Incompetence and self-serving comes to mind.

Present a bill that is within the range of common sense to good business sense. To obtain the greatest diversification in spending stimulation, put the money in the hands of the individuals and employers with the use of tax reductions and incentives. And, for heavens sake, don't reward failure! Encourage both desirable and needed things. With housing playing a key role in the economic well-being, offer incentives to homeowners and homebuyers. Ease up restrictions on the use of retirement funds to the unemployed trying to save their home, which is probably the most valuable asset that they will ever hold.

Think ahead and empower the future by offering perks for higher education for our youth, who will pay off this monstrosity.

Carolyn Dorroh

Ramona

Work ethic and pay reality

You may have noticed people are working harder than they have ever worked. Why? Because they want to keep their jobs.

I am a retiree in my 60s who, after watching my investments disappear, decided to go back to work. Returning to a position similar to the level I may have held in the past was next to impossible, but I did get a job and am happy to have it. In this new position, I am working in a personnel office alongside some very smart folks of all ages. They, like the applications we are processing, have some higher college degrees.

The surprise is, these temporary positions we are hiring for pay less than $20 an hour without benefits or vacation. There are thousands of applicants, and we can take the pick of the litter.

Today, within many companies, unions and government agencies, salaries have crept up to the point where they do not represent the relative value of the positions.

So when Wall Street folks say they have to give high bonuses and salaries, don't believe it! There are plenty of talented folks who will work for a realistic salary.

Governments, large businesses and unions, are you paying attention to the times?

Jack Key

Oceanside

Escondido library is outstanding

On Saturday, Feb. 7, I stopped by our Escondido Public Library's new book section to replenish my biweekly quota of five new books. In the nonfiction area, I happened across Tom Ricks' new, hot-off-the-press book on the Iraq war, "The Gamble: General David Petraeus and the American Military Adventure in Iraq, 2006-2008." I didn't get too far into it before I realized that I wanted to own a copy of this book. However, when I logged into Amazon.com, I noticed this statement: "Available for preorder. This item will be released on February 10, 2009."

As one of the best customers of our library's new book section, I can testify to the exceptional quality and variety of the new books selected for this section. However, it just astounds me that the library staff can select, purchase, receive, process and checkout a new book even before it is released for sale.

Sincere thanks to all of our library staff and volunteers for this and for all of the outstanding services they render!

Alex Galenes

Escondido

Herbal meds may be harmful to your health

Out of concern for the health of your readers, I am responding to the article published on Feb. 8, "With economy sour, consumers sweeter on herbal meds."

Although it is rather harmless to soothe a sore throat with warm tea and honey, most are unaware of the health risks associated with taking herbal supplements and the potential deadly drug interactions that may occur.

For example, excessive and life-threatening bleeding can result for those who take garlic or ginkgo supplements while also taking blood-thinning medications, such as coumadin.

Because herbal products are categorized as foods, they are unregulated in this country and are therefore not subjected to the rigorous clinical trials that prescription drugs must pass prior to human consumption; nor are they subjected to the inspection processes of any regulating agency such as the FDA which guarantees the quality of the product and its manufacturing processes.

For those who choose herbal remedies over prescription drugs due to financial concerns, know there are several Patient Assistance Programs available for low-income and uninsured persons and families that help obtain prescription medications at little to no cost. All it takes is a few minutes on the Internet and a phone call.

Dawn Ruther

graduate nursing student

University of San Diego

Dog beach would not benefit Oceanside

Poor Noralee Sherwood; she won't consider facts about man's best friend#,s owners. It is man who lets down his friend by not picking up after them. Want the truth? Ask any mailman or woman what they think is the percentage of people who pick up after their pooch. You will be not surprised at their answers.

Also, from a USA Today article, "Dog waste poses threat to water," June 6, 2002:

"For as long as the dog has been man's best friend, dog waste has posed a menace to man's nose and foot. Now science has revealed a more unsavory truth: It's an environmental pollutant. In the mid-1990s, scientists perfected methods for tracking the origin of nasty bacteria in streams and seawater. From Clearwater, Fla., to Arlington, Va., to Boise, the trail has led straight to the hunched-up dog â€"â€" and to owners who don't pick up after their pets.

"At some beaches, dogs help raise bacteria levels so high that visitors must stay out of the water … Dogs generate disease-causing bacteria that can make people sick. Studies done in the last few years put dogs third or fourth on the list of contributors to bacteria in contaminated waters." (http://www.usatoday.com/news/science/2002-06-07-dog-usat.htm).

Rod Wilson

Oceanside

9/11 believers must learn the truth

Oh boy, you … 9/11 believers (is it your new religion to believe, rather than know the truth?). Right this moment, I am reading the story of the 40-story Chinese luxury building that has burned virtually the entire building going past the 30th floor.

Are you all waiting for it to pancake down in four seconds onto its footprint? Still believing the "man" telling us why only the New York buildings (especially Building 7) fell, but why the Chinese building and every other high-rise in the last century never fell from a fire, just like this one won't fall?

The Bush crime family did this to America. Hasn't the last eight years opened your eyes? He is a traitor! Prosecute! Learn the truth!

Craig Burney

San Marcos

Entitlement mentality worsens

I remember studying the "nouveau riche" in school. As America industrialized, many people were "newly rich" via wise investing and/or ownership. Things are different today. Rich capitalists are looked at with disdain, and "go get them, Obama!" Not long ago, people chose to either go into business with bigger salaries or to get a government job with lower salaries but more security.

Government employees demand (and regrettably receive) both: unreasonably large salaries and benefits, along with "you can't fire me no matter how poorly I perform!"

State government employees are being furloughed so as to receive 10 percent less pay for 10 percent less "work" #(. Don't they realize that there are millions of people who would gladly take their reduced pay and cheerfully put in 50 to 60 hours per week to keep that job?

Obama and others in Washington brag of buying new hybrid sedans for government employees. #( Even Camp Pendleton has too many sedans, when actually it would be better if they were given tactical vehicles only.

The only person on any government payroll worthy of a government sedan is the president. Let the rest of them either use their own cars or talk on the telephones we provide them with.

Glenn Bernard

Carlsbad

We need true heroes to look up to

In today's world, where the definition of hero seems to be pinned on those who have thrown a touchdown pass, sunk a three-point ball, hit a golf ball 200 yards or even simply sung the latest rap song, it is wonderful when a true hero gets the attention that he/she deserves.

A person is not a hero simply because of the uniform he/she may wear, but because of the deeds that person does. To go above and beyond that which is considered normal for the well-being of someone else is truly a heroic act.

The pilot and crew of Flight 1549 who splash-landed in the Hudson River not only did their jobs, but saved the lives of those on board and possibly many more on the ground.

Let's not forget those in the military who have performed in heroic ways, or the civilians who have been placed into a situation where they outperformed the normal expected responses.

In today's world, where the emphasis is on sports or other forms of entertainment, I hope that many will take the time to teach their children what the true definition of "hero" means.

We all need a real hero to look up to.

Robert Schmeiser

Vista

Liberal hypocrisy abounds

I am amused, not surprised, by liberals' hypocrisy. After disrespectfully bashing the U.S. president for eight years with seditionist comments, now they say it is un-American and unpatriotic not to support our president.

Steve Farrar laments "right-wing pundits throwing bricks of misinformation at President Obama and liberals," (Letters, Feb. 4) which is precisely what the left-wing pundits did for years against Bush and Republicans.

Jim Hayes laments Republican fear-mongering (Letters, Feb. 4), but ignores loathing of Christians, conservatives and the fear/hate promoted by the far left. Left-wing messengers of disunity continue with their calls for recriminations against the Bush administration. Obama is fear-mongering to promote the inflationary pork-spending bill.

Does Kevin Keane (Letters, Feb. 6) remember liberals showing their "true colors" by hoping Bush and America failed in Iraq?

Richard Crews (Letters, Feb. 4) ignores Democrat culpability in the sub-prime mortgage crisis by encouraging bad loans to the financially unqualified (socialism, the Democrat way), and that tax cuts to small businesses create jobs. Ireland's economy boomed when it drastically cut business taxes. The Republican alternative to "Pelosi-pork" answers the problem with job creation based on this successful (not discredited) economic model, and realistic affordable mortgage availability to the middle class.

Michael Campbell

Rancho Penasquitos

Wanting laws enforced is not 'racist'

I would like someone to explain to me how it is racist to speak the truth about anyone who enters, stays, and works in these United States of America without authorization of our government? Be they Mexican, Chinese, Arab or any other nationality, if you come here without permission, or stay after your visa expires, your presence in this county is illegal, and the legal citizens have a right to condemn your actions when it has an impact on their own quality of life and availability of decent jobs with good wages.

If you do not have the right to be here, you cannot work here legally, but unscrupulous employers will hire you at substandard wages. The influx of illegal intruders has played a big part in this country's financial plight, from the number of people living in one household to the number of homes that went into foreclosure.

Immigration laws and limits are in place for a reason and that is to ensure our way of life will not be diminished. If wanting those laws enforced makes me racist, so be it, but our people have every right to protect those things which our forefathers struggled and sacrificed for.

Lora Wainscott

Oceanside