Why citizen activists watch at hiring sites

Many people are confused about the purposes and goals of immigration law-enforcement activists at day laborer sites. Activist patriots don't harass the laborers, and there are so many hirings going on seven days a week that stopping one or two on a Saturday morning is meaningless.

The true main purpose of these watches is to embarrass (not harass) the employers of the mostly illegal day laborers (by letting them know they are participating in the destruction of our sovereignty and our country), and to stop each legal resident of the community that passes by (and whomever they talk to) from even thinking about breaking the law (Title 8, U.S. Code No. 1324a) and instead get them to hire some of the deserving military men and women from nearby bases by calling Mark Baird at (760) 370-3734, or going to his www.HirePatriots.com Web site, which has more than 50,000 servicemen a month available for one-day jobs.

Americans have always been known to rise to the occasion when the chips were down. These activists just happen to be on the leading edge of that rising wave of patriotism, but that's where the most rewarding ride is ridden. Hang 10! Googling the short video "The Minutemen Commander Was a Pastor" is always a bit helpful at times like these.

Neil Turner

Carlsbad

No facts, just misleading anecdotes

Re: Gary Walker's May 2 letter. Walker complains that violent crime by illegals isn't headline front-page news in the North County Times. He claims there is a wave of violent crimes by illegals. He doesn't, as usual, provide real facts and statistics, just phony misleading Web sites built on anecdotes lifted from newspapers.

Just to be clear, unless government-compiled statistics are used, anecdotes simply don't work for intelligent people. We have 3.15 million people in San Diego County, of whom 100,000 to 200,000 people might be illegals. If Walker is right, shouldn't there be hundreds of murders committed by illegals in San Diego County? If there are 12 million illegals in the U.S.A., shouldn't there be thousands of murders committed by illegals? All these people have is handfuls of anecdotes culled from newspapers. They have no official statistics to wave in our faces. The reason: Illegals commit far fewer murders and other violent crimes than native-born Americans, and far fewer than could be expected of the demographic of mostly young men.

Remember this: If it bleeds, it leads. The lack of news coverage of violent crimes committed by illegals is because there isn't much.

Raoul Lowery

Contreras

Del Mar Heights

This beach parking idea should be parked

North County is blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Unfortunately, a proposal by the California State Parks will make it tougher for local families to enjoy this treasured resource.

State officials want to begin charging $8 a day for parking at Tamarack State Beach, where parking has always been free. The state has squandered millions of taxpayer dollars, and now they wish to take away one of the few enjoyable free activities. In addition to the financial impact, more people are now likely to park on residential streets east of Carlsbad Boulevard, burdening neighborhood residents with increased traffic, noise and fewer street parking spaces in front of their homes. We are concerned that the neighbors and others affected by the proposed parking fee have not been told about it, and further, have not had a chance to tell the state about the impact on them.

This attempt by the state to foist its financial problems onto the backs of taxpayers is a nonstarter, and should be parked in the junkyard of bad ideas. The Coastal Commission will hear this proposal on Thursday, May 8. I urge you to contact the Coastal Commission and let them know how you feel about this proposal.

Claude A. "Bud" Lewis

mayor

city of Carlsbad

Another solution to area code problem

Thanks to Joe Jones for his thoughtful letter on the area code problem (Letters, April 30). The wisdom of all the people is greater than the beliefs of a government commission.

I had a different solution. The numbering problem is not in area codes, it is in the prefix codes, those three digits that follow the area code. Three digits supply only prefixes from 000 to 999, a thousand combinations, of which many cannot be used. As soon as those thousand combinations are used, we need a new area code. But if our prefixes were four digits, we'd have 10,000 combinations! Our area codes would last until the cows come home.

With electronic (computer) switching, would it be possible to add a zero to all phone prefixes in the nation on a planned cut-over date? I think so, as in the past, our numbering system changed from six digits to seven digits when Direct Distance Dialing was begun. Sure, people crabbed when their numbers were changed, and some will again if we went to a four-digit prefix, but think of the advantages! Besides, who knows what new inventions might require a phone number?

Richard Zacher

Oceanside

Truth is politically incorrect

Isn't it amazing how many times our politicians and other bureaucrats demand apologies for accusations against them that subsequently prove to be true? Obviously, the truth has now become politically incorrect. The oxymoron "honest politician" lives on!

Merrill Brown

Oceanside

Letter writer does what she criticizes

Funny how some critics of my letters do the very thing they criticize me for. This time, it is Peggy Sloan (Letters, April 18). Peggy "rants and raves" about my ranting and raving! She writes China into the letter â€"â€" it's Bosnia, Peggy, where the bullets were flying overhead, not China. Peggy seems to have dived into the pool before she noticed there was no water. She is so enamored with Barack, Peggy condenses and spits out all the negatives of America as if our country is falling apart. I disagree! America is still strong and the hope of the world. How Peggy pegged me with a "love it or leave it" mentality, I don't know, but she brought it up. True, I do love America and detest those who hate America. Peggy Sloan is naive to think a dapper young black from Chicago politics is America's savior. Keep the bi-carb handy, Peg, there's more to come on your love Barack!

Junious

Montgomery

Carlsbad

Don't forget to thank teachers

May 14 is the "Day of the Teacher." The California Retired Teachers Association takes this time to honor those educators who have given so much. Teachers often reach into their own pockets for materials and programs that budgets don't cover.

And now education budgets are being cut statewide. California's retired teachers continue to be focused on and concerned about California's children and their futures.

Please join us in our fight to protect California's future. Contact your legislators and let them know that the quality of our schools is a prime concern throughout California. And remember, if you can read this, you should thank a teacher.

Lucile Reeder

Fallbrook

Don't allow manipulators to get richer

John Paulson, a hedge fund manager, made $3.7 billion last year (over $10 million a day) for betting against mortgage brokers. You didn't have to be especially smart to know this market was going to collapse, so how could he make so much money? He was an inside man who knew who to bet against. It's similar to allowing professional athletes to bet against the teams they play for.

Hedge funds have also started investing in futures. When these manipulators can make so much money because of shortages, you should wonder what really caused the shortage. Knowing it only takes a little hoarding and a well placed rumor to start panic buying, only a fool would believe these Wall Street manipulators would miss such an opportunity. Have you paid attention to the price of rice? It's impossible for the U.S. to remain a great nation when we allow manipulators to make billions by betting against the market they work in. Can't you remember how Enron manipulated the California electrical supply? The only winners were the thieves at Enron. Few were punished. You're going to get more of the same unless strict federal regulations are put in place.

Joe Martin

Oceanside

Proposed solution to our gasoline crisis

The big oil companies are making huge profits the way the system works now, and members of this Congress are afraid to oppose them. If we had a Congress that was controlled by the citizens, here are some of the things we could do until we find an alternative fuel: 1. Stop the price gouging by the big oil companies and fine them for past activities.ˇ2. Eliminate gas price trading, which only raises prices and makes money for traders. 3. Regulate the oil companies and stopˇthe many unfair pricing methods being employed, one of which isˇraising gas prices immediately when oil prices go up, but not lowering them immediately when oil prices go down.ˇ 4. Raise the fuel consumption standards on all newly manufactured vehicles and outlawˇall unnecessary gas guzzlers.ˇ5. Permit oil drilling wherever it is economically feasible, including Alaska and off all our coasts. 6. Rescind any tax gifts or other favors being given to the oil companies. 7. Make and sell products in our own country where possible to reduce the oil for international shipping (which would also cure our trade deficit and decrease the rising militaryˇthreat of communistic China). 8. Initiate gasoline rationing as in WWII (pleasure trips are not essential in a crisis).

Herbert Pairitz

Carlsbad

Government takes no risk, but gets all the rewards

In response to William Gleason's letter (May 3): That 18.4 cents on a gallon of gas is a tax; it goes straight to the government.

The government is the real gouger in this gas mess. They don't explore for the oil, they don't drill for the oil, they don't refine the oil, they don't transport the gasoline. It's pure profit for the feds. They don't take any risk, but get all the reward. The oil companies make an average of 9.2 cents for each dollar of sales. In California, we pay 62.8 cents a gallon in tax. Who's making the money?

Chuck Milne

Escondido

Pandering won't save much at the gas pump

Regarding the suspension of the federal gas tax: Do not be fooled by the pandering politicians' attempts to get votes with this latest ploy. Use your heads and do the math. If you use 20 gallons a week, you will net a savings of approximately $3.60. Big deal. This is not the solution to our nation's energy dilemma.

Michael Robinson

Oceanside

Truths about Michelle Obama

I would suggest that Bettie Heldring (Letters, May 3) do some fact checking regarding Michelle Obama, who I hope will become our next first lady. Michelle's salary as a hospital executive was approximately $105,000, not $300,000 as she states. Michelle Obama did not say "America is mean," to my knowledge, but rather expressed her pride in our country at this time, when we are in the middle of a primary election in which significant issues are being discussed. If Mrs. Obama did not believe in America, do you think she would be sacrificing her career and time with her family to endure the grueling pace of a presidential campaign? And how does Bettie Heldring presume to know what Michelle is teaching her children? Based on her husband's books, I would suggest the Obama children are being raised as caring, intelligent human beings.

Linda Kaiser

Encinitas

Focus on issue when opposing viewpoints

Letter writers often stereotype others negatively and then complain when others do the same to them. Consequently, the issue is not the focus of the articles; and furthermore, the negative rhetoric can lead to hate, and at its worst, to violence against others. The Southern Poverty Law Center recently reported that the number of hate groups operating in America rose to 888 last year, an increase of 48 percent since 2000, which has been fueled by these groups' taking advantage of the immigration debate to target Latinos among their victims. FBI statistics show a significant rise in crimes against Latinos between 2003 and 2006, which they believe are crimes carried out by people who wish to attack immigrants.

As a teacher, I have had students engage in discussions on world issues. The rule we teach our students is that their comments must never attack the persons opposing their viewpoints; they must focus on the issue. As I think of past hateful, anti-immigrant letters, I wonder, are my lessons in the classroom lost amidst a world of an increasing number of adults who promote hate?

Joan Horn

Carlsbad

Democrats paint themselves into a corner

This presidential election is going to be a hoot. Watching shallow Democrats fall all over themselves for two socialist elites isn't unusual, but they are sitting on the horns of a dilemma. If they don't nominate Obama to run, then they risk half their base staying home on Election Day. If they do nominate Obama, his questionable associations will begin to rot and fester. While Obama is busy stomping out brush fires, a muzzled Hillary Clinton swings around the country in fear of someone pulling the race card out. It's beginning to look like the party of group rights and special privilege has finally painted themselves into a corner.

Winston Churchill once said: "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." Having read most of the pro-Democrat letters to this paper, old Winston likely had them in mind. The Democrats' divide-and-conquer chickens may finally be coming home to roost, but ultimately, the joke's on all of us!

Sandee Enriquez

Fallbrook

Thanks in abundance!

What started out as a ribbon cutting ceremony for upgraded refrigeration and freezer for the NCCS North County Food Bank became a welcome party to celebrate the Parker Foundation, McCarthy Family Foundation, Eagle Creek, Hunter Industries, Carlsbad Optimist Club, SDG&E, Simply Ambrosia and the Friends in Business Network for helping to make it all possible. In attendance were a high school senior who devoted her senior project to coordinating an ongoing food distribution in her community, representatives of San Elijo Hills Realty who routinely plan large-scale community food drives, and various Friends in Business Network members who have consistently helped the Food Bank with food drives, financial contributions and proactive community support.

In addition, individual and group volunteers were recognized for their sustaining commitment to help out whenever possible. It was a humbling show of gratitude, an appreciation for people helping people and a human face to quantify the significance. Yes, it was another busy day at the Food Bank complemented by a celebration of community support! I extend my thanks and deepest appreciation to each person who was fortunate to have witnessed the incredibly exciting and enthusiastic setting.

Mike Doody

director, NCCS North County Food Bank

San Marcos

John McCain not sure what he believes

A recent press gaggle had McCain answering the following question: Should U.S. taxpayer money go to places like Africa to fund contraception to prevent AIDS? McCain's answer: "I'm not informed enough on it. Let me find out. You know, I'm sure I've taken a position on it on the past. I have to find out what my position was.

Brian, would you find out what my position is on contraception? I'm sure I'm opposed to government spending on it, I'm sure I support the president's policies on it."

Well, that's reassuring. As long as "Brian" is nearby, I'm sure our country would be safe with McCain at the helm, wouldn't it?

Rachel Rott

Vista