Pendleton has no credibility

The recent statements by Camp Pendleton that the public outrage concerning the Marines held in solitary confinement without charges had nothing to do with their decision to change the destination from maximum to medium security is totally unbelievable.

Just like the mold contamination issues in base housing had nothing to do with sick military families, or that the water contamination on base had nothing to do with violations of safety policies.

It seems very evident that Camp Pendleton does whatever it wants, then makes up some feeble excuse when they get caught to excuse their misconduct.

Camp Pendleton officials can't seem to act responsibly without continuous public oversight.

Families and attorneys, as well as the public and the media, have all had to remind Marine Corps leadership on Camp Pendleton that they should not be mistreating and abusing their own Marines.

Something is definitely wrong on Camp Pendleton.

NICHOLAS PETTIFORD

Oceanside

Proud of how Oceanside responded

Today I saw for a fact how 911 works, and how people come together when aid is needed.

A child was skateboarding down the hill in front of my condo - no helmet - and he fell, hitting his head on the pavement. Luckily I was putting down my blinds when this occurred and could react quickly. I saw a car pulled over immediately and a woman jumped out to help the child. I grabbed my telephone and dialed 911. My call was answered on the third ring, and I gave the pertinent information.

Within two minutes, an Oceanside Harbor maintenance golf cart appeared and took over traffic control; soon another cart appeared with more traffic control. A lifeguard appeared on the scene next and took charge of the dazed child until the firetruck and ambulance arrived. All this happened within five minutes. I have no idea how the child is - he left in the ambulance.

However, my husband and I were very impressed with the speed of aid that arrived, the proficient manner of the 911 operator, the caring of the people who stopped to help and how well the harbor maintenance people took over directing traffic so that emergency vehicles could get through. I was very proud of my city!

SUSAN HOWLAND

DEVEY

Oceanside

Speeding analogy flawed

In response to Marianna Settles (Letters, May 28), her analogy, while correct in its statement that both illegal immigration and speeding are illegal, is flawed. The reason is quite simple: If you get a speeding ticket, you pay the fine out of your own pocket; however, when someone immigrates to the United States illegally and uses our taxpayer-funded services, such as education, welfare, etc., they essentially take the money out of somebody else's pocket.

Last time I checked, taking money out of someone else's pocket was called theft.

In another recent letter, also on the topic of immigration reform and cracking down on illegal immigration, a student from Vista High suggested that we leave immigrants alone unless an illegal act has been committed. Hint: If someone enters the United States in violation of U.S. immigration laws, an illegal act has been committed, hence the term "illegal immigration." If this is the result of sending our children to taxpayer-funded public schools, we taxpayers should get our money back.

VICTOR CHABALA

Oceanside

Credibility lacking in due process

The lady in Modesto who was coerced to spend 21 years in prison because the court would not permit important evidence in the courtroom 21 years ago is an example of what may occur today in the state criminal and civil courtrooms ("Abused woman acquitted of murdering husband after second trial," June 2).

The court permits some and excludes other evidence and facts that are to be used in trial proceedings. If a trial by judge, then he/she may restrict what evidence or facts to use to support desired decisions.

In a civil situation an expert witness for technical support about the subject matter appears indispensable and important, since the judge is informed to act as a judge, and not to be an expert in technology, business, or other specialty subject in litigation.

The court scene may appear lacking in quality in a decision handed down from the bench without the benefit of due processing the complete relevant evidence in the case. The jury that is told what and how to decide by court instruction, without their independent intellect, then may assert a flawed decision to be corrected years later at great cost to the wronged party.

Credibility appears as a problem in all three state branches: executive, judiciary, legislative.

ERVIN SOMMER

Escondido

Federal spending is out of control

Abuses and usurpations: Any power that can be abused will be abused. Seems that Congress is determined to spend as much as possible before taking another vacation, even more than the president requests.

Are they tacking on more earmarks to ensure re-election and kickbacks? Political favors don't always come from lobbyists. Many are paid directly. Cash "bricks" ($9,999) aren't required to be reported. Construction contractors always add percentages and fees to their bids to allow for unscheduled payouts. Congressional excesses and greed cannot be prevented except by not re-electing any of the careerists in control.

Time to vote for "None of the Above" and write in an Independent. It may not work due to the voters being mostly the civil-service type crowd, but maybe it would replace some, eventually. Better, however, to force resignations.

We all should encourage and support investigations.

JAMES MORRIS

WHITBY

Oceanside

Starting down the wrong road

After listening to Wall Street pundits discussing whether Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke will raise interest rates to control inflation, I was painfully aware that Wall Street doesn't realize they're dealing with a new set of rules today.

In the past sales and profit were something corporations had control of, but since we've turned into a nation of retailers without a manufacturing base, corporations no longer have control of inflation because it's only a matter of time before foreign U.S. suppliers take advantage of their no-competition position and start raising their prices. It's the American way! Are the feds going to raise rates to Americans to fight excessive profit in China?

Ask yourself, how valuable will a U.S. corporation be that's selling products made in foreign nations if those nations stop supplying them for various reasons, such as suppliers deciding to sell their products directly in stores they own, our dollar losing value, political reasons? Then what? It will take years to develop manufacturing again and we'd be noncompetitive right from the start.

What's it going to take a nation, blinded by corporate greed, to realize that they've started down a road that will lead us into Third World status?

JOE MARTIN

Oceanside

Miramar should stay military

The San Diego Regional Airport Authority has spent a little over $10 million in tax dollars, with options opened for an additional $3.5 million, for technical consultants based in Chicago that led to the proposal for a joint use of MCAS as a future San Diego regional airport.

In November the SD voters will again vote for said proposal. What the SD Airport Authority doesn't seem to comprehend is that Congress, the Pentagon and the secretary of the Navy adamantly opposed the use of Miramar for a commercial airport, and it is in violation of a 1996 law passed by Congress forbidding such use.

In further response for dual use for a regional airport, the House Armed Services Committee passed a bill in the House, and will likely be approved by the Senate, forbidding joint use. It is incomprehensible to even imagine the government relinquishing Miramar, thereby having to seek and rebuild at great expense another such military facility.

WILLIAM STUART

Poway

No timetable for exit from Iraq

Setting a timetable for extraction of our troops from Iraq, or even intimating there should be a timetable, is the stupidest notion I can think of. Here's a question that I am sure is not on the state high school exit exam, but should be: How long have Muslim extremists been fighting with somebody, virtually nonstop? Answer: well over 1,000 years. The terrorists we are facing are cunning, vicious but, most of all, patient. We must defeat them and systematically eliminate their ability to harm us once and for all.

Al-Qaida has underestimated our strength and our will. Al-Qaida will not make that mistake again, and will thank Allah if we give them a timetable for extraction of our troops. Al-Qaida can hold its breath longer than you can imagine.

KENNETH EBMEIER

Pala

Let's take charge of Mexico

The more I think about it, the more sense it makes. We need to annex Mexico into the United States and just take it. We will name it Old Mexico, and it will complement New Mexico. When Old Mexico is a state, we will own all of the vast resources of Mexico. All of the gold and silver mines, all of the vast oil reserves. We would have eventually put most Mexicans on our welfare rolls anyway. We would probably save billions. Besides, we have already paid for Mexico. That $17 billion loan that Mexico quickly "lost" a few years back that was supposedly secured by their oil wells would certainly be worth more than a poor country like Mexico.

The Mexicans would lose a corrupt government and a corrupt land management system and a corrupt oil business.

Since the additional population of Mexico would quickly bankrupt our welfare system, we would have to shut it down right away, which would benefit all of us.

The Mexicans would still hold all the jobs they do now. If there are any holes in my logic, please let me know, as I believe it is a workable solution. They are coming, like it or not, so we may as well be the people in charge, instead of always being their victims.

RICHARD EVERETT

San Marcos

The gay pride charade?

What do the words "gay," "sexual orientation" and "alternate lifestyle" have in common? They are words used in lieu of the word "homosexuality."

We hear of gay pride - but is there really pride in gay pride? If you are truly proud of yourself, do you camouflage who you are? Do you hide behind nebulous words and phrases in referring to yourself? Gay pride, a term to convince the public, or, to convince themselves. Is it really pride or a pretense (flagrant behavior)? Homosexuals try to label opposing heterosexuals as homophobic. Homophobia is just another word that was fabricated by the homosexual establishment. In a nutshell, homophobia means intimidation, nothing else! Homosexuals are not secure in their own sexuality, so they try to attach themselves to heterosexuality - drawing heterosexuality/natural order under the same umbrella as homosexuality/unnatural - via such terms as gay/sexual orientation. Homosexuals try to neutralize opposition by giving opposing heterosexuals a negative connotation via the new word "homophobic."

The truth is, the words "gay," "sexual orientation," "alternate lifestyle" and, yes, "homophobia" were created to take the focus off the unnatural sexual behavior of the homosexual. Homosexuality is something individuals do; it is not who they are. That's my opinion!

FRANK LANCELOTTI

Oceanside

Final word about Fiesta del Sol

One final word about the controversial celebration, Fiesta del Sol in Solana Beach on June 3-4. It has been well-documented that a wonderful event was marred by the pandering of a suspect artist to his followers, who were intent on disruption at the urging of the performer.

This year's presentation was perhaps the most incident-free Fiesta in recent memory. The careful choosing of Solana Beach businesspersons to chair the various committees was the concept of Dan Herzberg. The food court and kiddie rides were coordinated by Mark Tackabery CPM, with the developers of the two major shopping centers in Solana Beach. Rick Mandelbaum, the president and CEO of a national bank founded in Solana Beach, was responsible for the financial details of the Fiesta.

These and countless others labored long and hard to provide an event to be proud of, and we are, except for the final 40 minutes of the performer known as Hank 3. At the earliest opportunity, at the performance break, we cut off the sound and Dan Herzberg thanked everyone for coming. We now know how misguided it was to employ the services of such a controversial artist. Ken Leighton has provided for the entertainment at the Fiesta for the past 10 years, and was as duped as the rest of us. It's time to move on.

DAVID CARROLL

former director of

community relations

Solana Beach

American flags dos and don'ts

As the national holiday July Fourth is upon us, clothing manufacturers start printing those flag-adorned sweat shirts, hats, scarves and shirts folks buy with the American flag printed all over them in many different fashions. Paper plates, napkins, cups and tablecloths are also produced for the outdoor barbecue you may plan, also with the American flag emblazoned on them.

I can hardly stand the idea of our flag being depicted on anything going to the dump for seagulls to roost on, among other things.

If you all knew proper flag etiquette, you would put these money-grubbing producers of such things in the poor house this year. Don't buy it! I find it equally offensive for nonprofit organizations using the flag to advertise their fundraising and promotional efforts.

Desecration of the flag is what it is called. Reference www.betsyrosshomepage.com to know the difference about use of our flag.

DONNA McGINTY

Oceanside

Bilbray underpaid?

It's hard to understand how Brian Bilbray could feel underpaid on his first day at work when he voted himself a pay raise of $3,333 a year. (In contrast, Francine Busby promised not to accept a pay raise until the federal deficit was eliminated.)

Then Bilbray cast several votes that directly contradict his statement to voters that he favored a ban on earmarks done behind closed doors. Apparently not, since he promptly voted yes on the T-THUD appropriations bill, which contained over 1,500 earmarks, most of which weren't even in the final bill, but secretly hidden in committee reports. Then he voted no - not once, but four times - on Jeff Flake's anti-pork amendments.

This is precisely what we could expect from a career politician whose last job was lobbying Congress. Instead of a public servant, we got a political puppet who only dances when the GOP, which financed his take-no-prisoners, scorched-earth campaign, pulls his strings.

RICHARD HICKS

Cardiff

Law changed the lives of women

Thirty-four years ago, Title IX changed the face of education, women. I join with the American Association of University Women in marking the anniversary of Title IX.

Title IX was designed to prohibit discrimination in all areas of education. Today, women comprise 56 percent of all undergraduates, while the number of female athletes has climbed by more than 875 percent.

While the success of Title IX can be seen by the improving numbers of women in all levels, the battle for true equality continues. Gender bias continues to impact women's opportunities. These differences have negative effects on the careers and wages of individual women, which in turn undermines the nation's ability to capitalize on the talents and abilities of all citizens to compete in the global marketplace.

Title IX has allowed girls and women to make great strides in the classroom and on the athletic fields, but attempts to undermine the law continue. As we celebrate its 34th anniversary, now is the time to recommit ourselves to the preservation and enforcement of this critical law that has changed the lives of women and girls.

DONNA LILLY

Encinitas

Here's hoping the National Guard helps

So, there has been a couple of hundred immigrants passing through the U.S.-Mexican border illegally daily and we decided to put a stop to that.

Standing strong on the front line may make the illegals think once or twice about crossing now. This has been one of the smartest strategies our government has done to try and fix the immigration problems.

The illegals had their little idea of boycotting, but as we all know, what did that do? One day without Mexicans? They come into our country for better jobs and lifestyles, yet they try and promote their country as if it did something good for them. I understand people wanting to come to America to have a better life, but they can do it the right way. They should complete the appropriate paper work and fill out applications to become a U.S. citizen.

As we all know, the fences, barbed wire and the U.S. Border Patrol has not worked. Southern California has a huge percentage of Hispanics and we are starting to have to be required to speak Spanish to get a lot of jobs. In what other country do you go to and require the country to speak your language? In the meantime, schools in Southern California are overcrowded; how is it fair that 30 to 40 kids are crammed into a classroom and supposed to get the proper education? Hopefully, the National Guard will help the U.S. in our illegal immigration problem.

Brittany Weeks

Temecula

Temecula Valley High School

Wiretapping is outrageous

I'm am writing this letter about our President George W. Bush, and him wiretapping phones. I think it is outrageous that the courts let him do this.

That was why the Patriot Act was assembled, to let us have our privacy. Now that president Bush is doing this, I think we as citizens of America need to stand up for our rights and fight against it. I know for a fact every time I talk on the phone I wouldn't want someone listening and taking notes of what I'm saying. He says it's to protect Americans from another terrorist attack. Why don't we do something else, like a full background check before letting them into our country.

Tyler Engler-Gaston

Temecula Valley High School

New technology needed to produce fuel

As we all know, gas prices have sky rocketed in the last couple months.

The prices have reached nearly $4 a gallon and are still rising. This problem effects everyone and is really hurting the community. In places such as South America, they have already started using alternative fuel methods such as the oil from sugar cane, which is much more cost efficient and is better for the environment.

(North) America is far more advanced then South America and we should be able do to develop technology that would help a lot of people financially, but because of the pressure the government has from both oil and motor companies, no sort of change seems to be in sight.

I feel that we, as the people of America, do have the power to change this and make it better for ourselves. There have been many examples of American citizens coming together to make a change that benefits the people but unless we stand up and do something instead of always talking and complaining nothing will happen.

Dylan Johnson

Temecula Valley High School

Respect America or leave

Something that has come to my attention in school is that a lot of young people seem to take our freedom and liberty for granted.

For instance, during the Pledge of Allegiance everyday, some people don't even stand up, and to me that seems just so disrespectful.

Yes, if you don't want to say it, don't, but as long as you are in America, you should have the decency to stand.

Another example is one day in my government class the issue on the war came up and somebody said something about fighting and/or dying for our country and another student said they would never die for this stupid country. Well, if it wasn't for our military and all the men and women fighting to protect our rights, including what that ignorant, ungrateful sorry excuse for an American said, we would not be able to enjoy many of the things we do and say now.

So anybody that would not stand up for the country that has given them everything and given them all the opportunities that people would die to have should not be here and should leave.

Krystal Kemp

Temecula Valley High School

Some adult drivers worse than teens

First of all, this letter is not meant to criticize any one person; it is meant to offer proof that the stereotype of crazy teenage drivers is not always accurate.

I am an 18-year-old living in Temecula and I may not be the best driver, but my respect for the driving of adults is continually decreasing. Lately I have noticed that a lot of dangerous driving situations are being caused by adultsí complacency and disregard for the rules.

Not a week ago, I was driving on Overland Road with my younger sister heading toward Costco. A middle-aged man had just started to come toward us on the bridge on his side, but out of nowhere made a U-turn across the double yellow line and then cut in front of me, scaring my sister and making me slam on the brakes.

I understand that adults have more experience driving, but this should not be their excuse for feeling that they can "bend" the rules of the road. Adults always shake their heads and complain about teenage driving. Did anyone ever stop to think that teenagers are adequate drivers because they are more knowledgeable of the rule book due to the fact that they have looked at it more recently?

Giselle Chavez

Temecula Valley High School