Cable company providing aggravation

Carlsbad residents are hogtied to Time Warner Cable Company by the city. We have no choice about this, and it's ridiculous!

The constant problem of television programs being disrupted by "pixelization" is totally unacceptable. The huge number of channels available provide precious little worth watching.

But when I finally find something that I want to watch to be entertained, all I get is aggravation by the program being interrupted or discontinued by "pixelization."

The shortest telephone hold time I have experienced to report or discuss this problem with Time Warner was 45 minutes.

I had Cox Cable when I lived in Oceanside, and it was great. They flawlessly took care of my phone, TV and internet service at a reasonable rate.

So listen up, Carlsbad politicians. This is an easy fix and will get you a lot of voter appreciation. Get rid of Time Warner! You have the power. Let us have Cox Cable! Please!

Is anyone else fed up with Time Warner? Let our politicians know!

Ronald Wacik

Carlsbad

Work continuing on water project

The North County Times article about the Fallbrook Public Utility District concerning the Santa Margarita River Conjunctive Use Project involving Congressional HR 29 does not make sense ("Bill to authorize water project may be up for vote in January," Nov. 26).

If HR 29 does not pass in the lame-duck session of Congress, which it will not, it must be re-introduced as a new, different-numbered bill in the new 2009 Congress and must again receive approval in both the House and Senate. …

The Bureau of Reclamation was/is working on … (environmental) statements at meetings on this problem on Oct. 29 in Fallbrook and Oct. 30 and 31 in Temecula.

The Oct. 29 meeting was well attended by members of the Sierra Club, of which I am a member. Serious environmental problems still exist. William Steele, Bureau of Reclamation, was this meeting's coordinator. Attending Sierra Club members presented several required permits, which were supported by the bureau's contractors.

The environmental intent of moving all protected wildlife in Camp Pendleton to a remote mountainous area, thereby making room for a large "collapsible dam," was not supported by those Sierra Club members present.

The Marine Corps is also investigating desalination plants as an alternative.

Archie McPhee

Fallbrook

Obama's identification incorrect

Ray Erler was absolutely correct in his Nov. 14 letter ("Obama's talents attributed to both bloodlines"). The media worldwide continually refers to President-elect Barack Obama as the first African-American to be elected president of the United States. This identification is incorrect.

When Barack Obama takes the oath of office, he will be the first half-white, half-black president of the United States … However, to be very correct, he will be an American-American president, as he was born in America and not Africa.

Imagine if he were half-Egyptian and half-white. Would he be referred to as an Egyptian-American or an African-American? American citizens with hyphenated names has become ridiculous and should be stopped, as all citizens of this great nation are Americans, regardless of what nation, if any, their ancestors came from.

Leon Smith

Oceanside

What does 'president-elect' mean?

Would someone direct me to the office of the president-elect? Surely there must be one.

When Barack Obama holds press conferences, his podium has the sign "The Office of the President Elect" on it. What power does this office wield?

I believe Obama will take the oath of president in late January and until such time, he is an ordinary citizen and will not inherit the office until after the oath. We saw the same type of hubris when he was running and he had his own presidential seal.

John Moore

Encinitas

Shame on Carlsbad

We are experiencing some tough times right now, no doubt. The government is doing extraordinary things to help stimulate the economy.

Experts agree that people have to spend to get this economy going. So I was happy to see people out in force at the Carlsbad Outlet mall to do exactly that. Too bad Carlsbad had to spoil the party by hovering like sharks to give people parking tickets. No, I am not saying it is right to park illegally.

There were hundreds of people parking on side streets because there was nowhere else to park. The lot was full. Carlsbad obviously knew this. This was a good thing to get people spending! This is what the government is trying to achieve!

Would it have hurt Carlsbad to at least warn people or even turn the other cheek in these hard times? I mean, this was 12 midnight.

The idea is to get people to spend right now. So now they have to take $50 of their hard-earned money to give to Carlsbad. Whatever deals they got were wasted because of the $50 parking ticket.

Thanks, Carlsbad, for stimulating your pockets, not the economy.

Deb Cole

Oceanside

In memory of Ed Wicburg

Sometimes, somewhere in our lives, we come across a brave individual who inspires us to be braver and sturdier in our lives and beliefs. Such a person was Ed Wicburg, a truly brave and sincere man.

It was through Ed and his wife, Harriet, that I became involved in Oceanside affairs, particularly with the City Council. I was quite weak in public speaking. Not anymore.

It was through Ed Wicburg that I became involved in city matters, including the various problems existing at that special time. It was with encouragement from the Wicburgs that I found the courage to be an Oceanside city commissioner and later a senior police volunteer. Those busy, hectic days have passed when we walked through endless busy streets and neighborhoods.

I later joined a group that defeated the installation of a trash receiving station close to our neighborhoods.

The fact remains that I was a changed individual in regard to public service.

Thank you, Ed, and though you have recently passed to better fields, I shall remember and revere the strong memory of those days when we all fought for a better city.

Jean Doktor

Oceanside

Politics not for thin-skinned

I must respond to Lt. Neal Griffin's Community Forum on Nov. 6 in the North County Times ("Escondido POA should dissolve its PAC").

In his own words, he said, "Cops and politics don't mix." I agree!

Lt. Griffin should know that politics is not for the weakhearted or thin-skinned. Olga Diaz shouldn't get a free pass, and neither should she be protected by her husband's job on the police force for her outrageous conduct.

Escondido should be protected from those who break the law, including those who drive without a license, insurance and registration. If Olga doesn't agree with our laws, then it is time her husband takes a leave of absence from the police department as long as she is on the City Council. …

Thank you, Chief Maher, and your police department for your efforts in making our city safe.

Helen Gallardo

Escondido

Farmers markets provide a wealth of gifts

Shoppers, don't forget your local farmers markets for your Christmas shopping this year. They provide a wealth of wonderful food items, plants and handmade products that are grown and made locally and would make wonderful gifts.

Artisans who sell at the farmers markets need your help now more than ever during tough times, or they may not be there next time you look for them. A unique gift made or grown locally is a good thing on many levels. I won't list them all; you can figure it out.

So check city Web sites and find your local farmers market, and shop, shop, shop.

Kathryn Gould

Vista

What's wrong with our troops?

I cannot help but wonder â€"â€" what is wrong with our troops? I read where Marines haven't been home for seven months.

I was in the Cannon Co. 232 Reg., 42 Infantry Div. for three years (1943-1946), in combat in France and Germany. I was able to go home one time in that three years. Should I say it again? Home once in three years. I was not an exception.

At the end of the war, I had a medical problem; I was told, "No sniveling, whining, or complaining. Go home, get a job, get married and get a life. Now get out and good luck."

Raymond Deming

San Marcos

State should take their cue from Alaska

Re: the article written by Chris Bagley "North County jobs recession just getting started, analysts say," Nov. 30: Since the state is considering raising taxes, laying off workers and not having enough money to pay unemployment benefits, why not do what Alaska does? Lease the offshore oil and natural gas rites to the oil companies.

This would bring in money to the state and provide jobs working on the rigs. This state could use the influx of oil revenue and jobs, and will lower the prices at the pump as long as it is done correctly with safeguards to prevent corruption.

Don Messer

Oceanside

Now they tell the truth?

Good Lord. After all the lies this administration has told, with regards to Monday's revelation that we've been in recession since December 2007, can't they just keep their mouths shut for a couple of months and leave my poor 201(k) alone?

You'd almost think there was a "scorched earth" policy in place. But, nooo, now they decide to be truthful. How very thoughtful.

Mike Bertrand

Carlsbad

Bush followed Pete Wilson's example

I refer to "Bush has destroyed the United States," by Christine Carrick (Letters, Oct. 14). She says, "It has only taken George Bush 7 1/2 years to do what the Soviet Union couldn't do in 70-plus years: Destroy the economic vitality of the United States."

This also reminds me of when Gov. Pete Wilson (went) against the Latinos, the blacks and the California Indian casinos and Indian sovereignty. At that time, a Democrat named Gray Davis supported the Indian casinos and the minorities, for he had 15 years of outstanding records.

Gov. Pete Wilson supported Dan Lungren, a Republican who opposed the Indian casinos, etc. Pete Wilson destroyed the Republican party â€"â€" you watch and see. During the California election, Gray Davis won 4,294,946 to Republican Dan Lungren, who lost, 2,842,173.

This same thing happened to President George Bush. He destroyed the Republican party. That's why most all the Republican candidates kept their distance from George Bush's policies, except Sen. John McCain (McCain was a hero), but this time with the wrong party.

Bush's administration misled the general public that there were missiles of destruction. Not true. Also this war costing the U.S. $10 billion each month. That's not all.

Max Mazzetti

Valley Center

Our councils have betrayed us

I'd be delighted to have a shopping mall nearby so I could spend my money in Oceanside. However, if the shopping center is built on airport property, as planned, no customer would be safe.

On North Foussat, a sign posted long ago still warns of low-flying planes in response to the airport's high accident rate ever since its inception. Customers would be endangered every time a plane took off or landed, as they fly a few feet above the rooftops of nearby stores/parking spaces.

The very existence of the airport prevents any part of the property being safely used for commercial business or housing. We can either keep the airport, or build a shopping center that could enrich our city and benefit us all, rather than a handful of local pilots.

If we pass up this golden opportunity, and perhaps it's already too late, the chance for a shopping mall in Oceanside will be forever gone. There is little vacant land left to earn revenue for our city's badly needed projects.

Proper and productive use of this commercial land is a gift we must not throw away. Opportunity only knocks once. If lost now, it will not knock again.

June Kristapovich

Oceanside