Commemorating a land theft

May 15 commemorates the day that Palestine was stolen from its own people. Our president went all the way there to celebrate the theft of Palestine from its own people and, for a better term, they call it the independence of the state of Israel. I don't know who Israel gained its independence from.

In 1917 Britain took over Palestine when the Jewish population in Palestine was less than 50,000 persons. It is the British takeover that allowed, helped and even undertook the process of stealing Palestine from its own people to be given or awarded to another people imported from all over the world in the quest to serve and protect the interest of imperial Britain.

Perhaps the attendance of both Tony Blair and George W. Bush is a vivid reminder that the state of Israel is alive and well as long as it's serving as the imperial guard of the empire.

Bishara Sarraf

Oceanside

We already have a dog beach

Concerning all of those dog lovers who yearn for a beach to walk their pooches ("Idea of dog beach surfaces again," May 17): Please understand, for those of us who live at the beach, we see dogs on the beach every day. Yes, every day! They don't follow the no-dogs rules now. Many do pick up after their pets, but that is a minority. They also walk up and down the local sidewalks and do not pick up. Just walk down the Strand, or down Pacific Street. Watch your step.

Rod Wilson

Oceanside

What does it all mean?

Hey, I have an idea: Let the world go rampant. Gay marriage? Illegals abound? No respect for our policemen and policewomen? No savior for feral cats? Road rage? No respect, period. Amen.

Please help me understand what happened to what I always believed was the greatest country to be a part of, please! Because I am getting a little too old, and quite frankly, jaded. I love you all.

Peggy Pressler

Escondido

Gas prices are killing the economy

The vast majority of San Diego County residents are spending less because of the financial burden that gas prices have placed on their already taxed shoulders. To build a trolley system that would serve all San Diego County would help the people of San Diego in many more aspects than just saving gas money. The ridiculous amounts of traffic would decrease, the accident-prone roads would be safer and the people would be able to spend the money saved on gas on other products to help stimulate the stagnant economy.

The trolley system would especially help college students and staff. Both groups would be able to get on campus quickly, efficiently and cheaply. College students especially, because as everyone knows, we are notoriously cheap and every day is a battle to find a parking spot. This new trolley would help those students who don't have a car to drive and those whose cars or trucks just guzzle way too much gas.

With gas prices nearing $4 a gallon and surely to be upwards of $5 by summer, it would be crazy not to create this trolley system. On behalf of all students in San Diego County, I hope you will come to realize that we can't afford insane gas prices forever.

Edgar Gomez

Oceanside

Hypocrisy of oil companies

I am convinced that this area of the world is a mess. It is incomprehensible to me how our once-noble country has become so entwined in the policies of the Middle East. Not only are we involved, we have become victims of a culture that hates our very existence.

Oil-rich Middle Eastern countries, with the help of treasonous oil companies and speculators, are driving us into a recession, then buying up our country at discounted prices. We are so worried about offending these radical misfits that our country has forgotten to stand up for its own principles and values. When someone tells me we're importing democracy to Iraq, my response is, "Import democracy to Saudi Arabia." When President Bush asked the leaders of Saudi Arabia to increase oil production, they told him to hit the road. We become accustomed to massive corruption and gross incompetence because that seems like the only way to deal with the fools that we've supported in this region. I truly don't care if the Middle East is offended by the Western culture, because I know I'm offended by theirs!

Thomas Calabrese

Oceanside

Horn up to his old tricks again

Mr. Bill Horn is up to his old tricks again. Now he is proposing a new road and calling it "critical" as a fire escape ("Road touted as fire exit route," May 20). Anything to make residents think he is doing it with them in mind. Fire experts don't even consider this new proposal "critical" as a fire escape route. These 3,000 homes would generate approximately 33,000 trips per day, not to mention the 10 acres of retail, would add 9,000-10,000 people to Valley Center's population and create a new rural community completely separate from the main part of Valley Center.

It appears that Mr. Horn is returning another favor to a campaign contributor, this one from Rancho Santa Fe, by creating a road that is not needed. The east-west connector road from Cole Grade is where a new road should begin. Maybe Bill hasn't gotten the message, when county planners don't put "his" road on the maps.

Mr. Horn is still working for big developers. He needs to be recalled so the entire community can get fair representation from its district supervisor, not just developers with deep pockets.

John Fox

Escondido

Clarification of EFA's position

This letter is in response to Mike O'Connor's letter to the editor published May 13 ("Council shortchanging public safety"). … Mr. O'Connor is entitled to express his opinion; however, his opinion is not necessarily that of the Escondido firefighters majority. Mr. O'Connor took independent action and authored his letter without approval or knowledge of the Escondido Firefighters Association.

The EFFA board of directors, with direction from the membership majority, has been working with City Council and staff over the last several months to find ways to reduce operating expenses while continuing to provide the highest level of service. The EFFA is extremely concerned about the proposed budget cuts and the impact this will have on our service to this community. Although we are adamantly opposed to removing firefighters from the ladder truck and ambulances to staff a new engine company, the EFFA understands that the city is facing challenging economic times and needs to take measures to remain financially stable.

The city and the EFFA have had a successful relationship due to mutual respect and open communication. It is our hope that this will continue, and together we can find an equitable solution without jeopardizing our ability to serve and protect our community.

Mike Bertrand

president, EFFA

Escondido

Serious flaws in Prop. 99

Propositions 98 and 99 will appear on the June 3 ballot. Both seem aimed at correcting the same problem: the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the subject of eminent domain. There are serious flaws, however, in Proposition 99. If you carefully read the full text of the proposed revisions to Section 19, on Pages 20 and 21 of the Voter Information Guide, you will find that there are many loopholes. They are such that any future California Supreme Court could use them to nullify the intent of the proposed changes. Like the old saying, "You can drive a truck right through them."

The court has amply demonstrated their willingness to do such things. Witness their recent vote to change the many-centuries-old definition of marriage.

Do not be fooled: Vote yes on 98 and no on 99.

Ray Boettger

Escondido

The Democrats don't want cheap oil

The Democrats want to stop filling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve of 76,000 barrels of oil a day, stating this will help ease the cost of gasoline. Yet, it's the same Democrats who say drilling in ANWAR, which would produce a million barrels of oil a day, will not help ease the cost of gasoline or, for that matter, drilling off our coasts.

Further, the Democrats have no real plan to reduce our dependence on foreign oil except to blame us for using it.

Brian Eberhard

Fallbrook

Make responsible choices when drinking

This Memorial Day, whether you're kicking off the start of summer in the backyard with barbecues or out on the waterways, stay safe by drinking responsibly and choosing a designated driver or designated "skipper" before the festivities begin.

Keep these tips in mind to help you enjoy safe Memorial Day celebrations: 1. Buckle up. Ask everyone to wear a seat belt. 2. Be an attentive driver. Always be in control and aware of the drivers around you. 3. Don't speed. … 4. Drink responsibly.

Adults who choose to drink should make responsible choices about when, where and how much they decide to drink. Markstein Beverage Co. is committed to keeping our roadways and waterways safe Memorial Day weekend and every day, and offers programs to help prevent drunken driving and boating. These include WE ID, and Safe Boating. Thanks to programs and efforts such as these and increased law enforcement, drunken-driving fatalities during the Memorial Day period are down 26 percent since 1982, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

We encourage everyone to do their part by continuing to make responsible choices this Memorial Day weekend. Remember, responsibility matters!

Monica Leyva

corporate responsibility coordinator

Markstein Beverage Co.

San Marcos

Our voting system is a sham

First, I wish to state that your North County Times delivery team is doing a great job for me. Thanks!

I fully agree with Mr. William Eade of San Marcos' letter in regard to our present election process, to have to choose beforehand a party, and being limited to vote for other candidates of another party (Letters, May 20).

My wife and I are independent voters and vote for candidates who will do the best job, regardless of party affiliation. It seems our whole voting system is a sham, insofar as we the people do vote for a certain candidate for president and the Electoral College can and does shift the votes to another candidate of its choice. As for the Democratic Party superdelegates deal: Another backroom deal like it used to be in years past, just with a new name! Being seniors, we have been voting for many years and are ready to give up this whole charade.

Victor Sommer

Oceanside