Explain this family, then
In regards to Paul Puma's comment in the Californian, Sunday, Jan. 18, on his statement that there is no credible scientific evidence of a gay gene: Let's forget all about the words normal, peer-reviewed evidence, agenda-driven etc.
Can he explain how a family of four, two men and two women siblings can have one male and one female straight and one male and one female gay? Parents of these four are apparently normal.
If Paul is so determined on his attitude, I expected a couple of letters after his name, like M.D. or Ph.D. or something.
Phil Pavlovsky
Aguanga
Hamas is the real enemy in Gaza
Palestinians recently demonstrated near Temecula's Duck Pond Park -- waving their flags demonstrating because their people, without provocation, threw 3,000 rockets into Israel? Have we lost our minds as to who the real enemy is?
The real Palestinian-Americans should be demonstrating against the gangsters known as Hamas who have taken over their country -- the land that is really not theirs. If protesters want to demonstrate, they should go over there and do it.
Temeculans: Keep praying to the real god who founded this great nation. His time is coming. Are you ready? God bless America!
Julius Schmitt
Temecula
Both have right to their opinions
In regard to Gerald Summers' Jan. 25 letter, being a Christian and not a fanatic, the difference between an evolutionist and Christian is simple.
If you're an evolutionist and believe you and yours evolved from fish and apes, you have every right to your opinion and I sure wouldn't argue with you.
As a Christian, I and mine didn't and I have a right to my opinion. Simple.
Kate Krubsack
Menifee
Why the early support of quarry?
In a recent article in The Californian regarding Murrieta's possible support of Temecula's request for annexation ("City leaders consider supporting Temecula's bid to annex quarry site," Feb. 4), Karie Reuther, Granite Construction's director of community affairs for Liberty Quarry, said an environmental report detailing the effects a quarry would have is expected to be released in April. Further, Ms. Reuther is quoted as saying, "If I was a city official, I would make more of a fact-based decision, and you can't until you have all the facts in front of you."
So, does this same logic apply to other government officials, for instance, a state senator? Dennis Hollingsworth, 36th District senator, issued a letter of support for Liberty Quarry on Aug. 8, 2005. Yes, 2005. Based on Ms. Reuther's statement above, how could Sen. Hollingsworth possibly make a "fact-based decision" to support Liberty Quarry more than 3 1/2 years before "all the facts" could have been in front of him?
Does this support for Liberty Quarry by Sen. Hollingsworth have anything to do with the fact that Karie Reuther of Granite Construction used to work with Sen. Hollingsworth, prior to her joining Granite Construction?
Fred Bartz
Temecula
Obama walks line on faith-based initiatives
President Obama announced recently that he was expanding the office of faith-based initiatives, but at the same time enhancing the constitutional requirements of the separation of church and state. As a constitutional lawyer, he knows how infirm these programs are.
I am all in favor of charity, but in giving money to religious groups, we are freeing them from spending their own tax-free money on charity and allowing them to use it for other purposes, including evangelism and political lobbying. This is a very risky game for a nation founded on limiting the reach of religion in our lives, and I have no doubt the whole idea will be thrown out the first time it reaches a constitutional-level court.
If faith-based charities are to be supported by federal money, the rules must require that recipients certify compliance with all federal equal opportunity regulations, including a statement that they do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, nationality or sexual orientation.
Further, in order to prevent mischief, the certification should apply to the main religious sponsor as well as the charitable shell. None of the major religious organizations in this country now comply with those rules, and they should not receive a penny until they do.
Gerald Summers
Temecula
Murrieta council ignores rights
Tuesday night, the Murrieta City Council voted unanimously to ignore private property rights to support an annexation effort proposed by the city of Temecula.
Even the City Council members did not know why or how the issue was placed on the agenda for their consideration.
Who coordinated this pro-Temecula annexation vote between Temecula and Murrieta? I want to know. The Brown Act was enacted in response to informal and/or undisclosed meetings held by local elected officials.
These are the reasons we need the Murrieta initiatives to help stop local government abuses of power. Again, these initiatives would put term limits on city councilmen and control runaway spending on administrative salaries.
If the annexation proceeds as proposed, it would constitute the land grab of over 700 privately held acres. The majority of the landowners in the subject area oppose the annexation.
The council claimed that this was a "local control" issue. In my opinion, private property and individual rights trump that. I fear our government does not care about private property rights anymore.
Bob Kowell
Murrieta
