North County Times

San Elijo wrong place for golf course

The proposed San Elijo Golf Course does not belong in its present proposed location. The ridgeline has a restricted use - open space. A golf course is not open space. It is a money-making enterprise developed for the sole purpose of providing the wealthy with an exclusive area to recreate.

Please do not misunderstand me. I golf. I love to golf. But I would never golf on a course that was built in a restricted area, i.e., ridgeline/open space. We need to respect our greatest natural resource - our land and the beauty its natural sculpting provides us.

I would love another course on which I could play - badly, I might add. How about on the backside or the frontside of the hill?

LORI BENTLEY

San Marcos

Just say no to new taxes in Fallbrook

Fallbrook Elementary School District just spent $81,000 on a special election. In their failed attempt to raise our property taxes to improve our elementary schools, they gambled away $81,000.

Our elementary schools are supposedly falling apart around our children.

Why? We pay our fair share of tax dollars, plus the California state lottery was going to help our schools. So again, why are Fallbrook's elementary schools falling apart? You can bet your last dollar that another bond issue will be before us come the March election. It only takes 55 percent to approve a bond issue, how will you vote?

LIZ CHANDLER

Fallbrook

Teen drinking not normal, cool or legal

This letter is in response to Kathleen Parker's June 5 column, "Jenna Bush's brush with the law." I'm alarmed at her attitude toward Jenna being caught not only once but twice within a couple of months for underage drinking. Her attitude basically seems to be that young people are going to drink, so why not just make it legal.

Obviously there is a problem with this, since it is an illegal and dangerous behavior. Her statement about "most do" (enjoy a beer now and then) is totally inaccurate. In fact, research shows that most teens do not drink alcohol, and it is terrible that she, as a writer, has fallen prey to the myth that they do.

I'm not trying to say that some young people don't drink, but those are not the majority. We as adults, especially the media (including Parker) and our elected officials (President Bush), should do more to stop spreading false messages to young people and to start showing them that drinking is not a normal, cool or legal behavior.

KIM CRISP

Oceanside

Fallbrook has grown up; time to put safety first

While I was a real estate agent in Fallbrook, I often asked my clients why they were attracted to Fallbrook, why did they want to live here. Most people said it was because Fallbrook was such a quaint, rural town. Coming from more populated places, they were seeking a slower-paced lifestyle.

Those answers were part of the reasons Don and I chose Fallbrook 12 years ago. However, in those 12 years, Fallbrook has grown, and there are certainly a lot more traffic lights than before and a lot more people walking up, down and around our village. Children walking to school deserve to be in a safe environment. Mothers and dads of those children deserve to have peace of mind knowing there are safe areas for their children to walk to school.

People who want to walk for exercise are more apt to walk if they feel safe and have a sidewalk to walk along. It's time for the citizens of Fallbrook to not only take pride in the beauty of Fallbrook but also in the safety of our children and our health enthusiasts as they keep their hearts pumping and their legs thumping.

JANICE KEITH

Fallbrook

Time to treat speeders like criminals

Andrew Kleske's June 11 column ("Simple solutions to simple problems") hit the nail on the head. I have dealt with this anti-social behavior for quite some time. My in-laws live on a street in Escondido that is fairly long for a residential street, and we are constantly yelling at people to slow down.

Some of these ignorant people try to intimidate us with their looks, and that seems to work because they have to slow down so we can see how "bad" they are. My son and all the other kids who play there are constantly in danger from speeders. The sad part is that nothing will be done until someone is injured or killed. I agree with Mr. Kleske when he states that someone wouldn't get a slap on the wrist if they brandished a gun in a neighborhood, so why should they get a slap when driving a vehicle that is capable of more damage than a gun?

Since there are not enough police to patrol every neighborhood, citizens in these neighborhoods should be able to videotape the behavior that goes on and send it in to the local police, and they can make a decision to sit in one of the driveways and target speeders in residential areas before someone is hurt or a life is taken.

I would lend a driveway if it would save one kid's life. I'm sure other parents feel the same.

JAMES TAYLOR

San Marcos

Take steps in view of impending water shortage

Mort Rosenblum's two fine articles on the impending water crisis (May 13 and May 20) should ring some alarm bells. Water, along with air and food, sustains life and we must have it. The shock of seeing Lake Hodges half gone and steadily becoming a cow pasture should move us to action. Hey, North County, you are running out of water.

What to do? Something can and must be done, starting now, lest we be faced with rolling "thirstouts," which would be far more serious than the pinpricks of rolling blackouts. The following four water-saving measures suggest themselves: recycling, desalination, xeriscaping and conservation.

Let's review some ways each of us can save water. Don't let faucets run unnecessarily while washing dishes or brushing teeth. Don't take a shower every day, unless you are, for instance, an auto mechanic. Collect rainwater runoff in buckets or a barrel and use it to water plants. Install a low-flow toilet and don't flush it every time. Fix leaky faucets, pipes or hoses in house or garden right away, as soon as you notice them. Take your car to a carwash (more efficient water use) and don't wash off your driveway.

Finally, let's teach our kids to respect and conserve water, that precious resource, as long as they are lucky enough to live in this sunny land.

RON HARDIN

Escondido

Most dangerous areas for pedestrians

I like a walk for health and exercise. I would also like to live: I've walked all over San Diego, actually, all over the world, but I've never been more frightened, amazed and angered as I have been walking near Pomerado Hospital's adjacent medical offices, Gateway medical offices, and the very worst of all, Bernardo Heights Road and Pomerado Road.

I might add, I always wait for the crossing signal and always cross in the crosswalk. I would have some compassion for these drivers if I thought failing vision was the culprit. Unfortunately, at that particular location, they drive up to me, honk, yell at me to get out of the way (while I was legally crossing in the crosswalk). At the other locations they nearly almost hit me.

Motorists, please be aware the green signal is only on for a few seconds and at the other locations, please be aware the sidewalk crosses the driveway.

I'm sure this letter will receive many defensive replies. If the writers will leave their names, I'll be happy to further discuss this with them.

At least, if any of the drivers hit me at Bernardo Heights Road, we won't have a hit-and-run. They'll stay and argue with the police that I had no right to be walking when they're driving.

RUTH HERRINGTON

Poway

Pledge vote is the reason for society's downfall

I read the article regarding the decision of the student government to abandon the tradition to salute the flag at the beginning of the meetings. The vote was 6-5, with four of the voters not citizens of the United States, so non-U.S. citizens are voiding one of our precious traditions because they don't want to do something that they didn't have to do anyway.

The MiraCosta College district has blatantly proven that it cares not for the student population as a whole and furthermore has no regard for the veterans who attend this school.

I believe that there are reasons that non-U.S. citizens are not elected to offices in this country. Perhaps that is so that the traditions here are preserved.

I think that it is a shame that I, as a retired military person, attended a Memorial Day observance to hear the guest speaker, a Marine brigadier general, take the time to comment harshly on an educational institution's lack of good judgment, moral fortitude and just plain loyalty to the American way of life.

And we wonder why there are school shootings, we wonder why there is no loyalty to parents, we wonder why our youth have little direction - because we won't offer assistance, guidance and direction to them for fear we may step on someone's sensitive toes.

RICHARD J. LOVELACE

Escondido

Officer was right to stop driver in center lane

In regard to the newspaper story of June 8, "California Supreme Court hears N. County lawsuit involving CHP": If the officer was following the car in the fast lane (closest to the center of freeway), why wouldn't he pull the car over on the same side of the freeway? Why would he risk the safety of all the other vehicles in the other three lanes to the right of him?

My final question is: Who is to say that some other truck or car or big-rig driving in the slow lane would not have the exact same percentage of veering off onto the shoulder, narrowly missing Officer Richard Hedgecock and striking Michael Lugtu's car? Not guilty!

DAAN ZIJLSTRA

Encinitas

American citizens have the right to disagree

Regarding Ms. Micky McKenna's May 15 letter: To set things straight, more than two students think wearing Communist armbands is OK. More than three, in fact. The U.S. Supreme Court thinks wearing Communist armbands is OK.

What is more, many people feel that the Pledge of Allegiance is an outdated, brainwashing mantra that violates more American values and rights than it upholds. Again, as American citizens, they have the right to disagree and refuse to stand, even to lobby to have it abolished.

All of the things that she is offended by, including Jane Fonda's ascent to the category of one of the 100 women of the 20th century, fall within the rights of every single American citizen. She is even given the right to have published redundant, contradictory letters in her local newspaper.

Because something goes against her personal belief system and opinions does not make it an evil that insults our country. She would do well to put stock in the exchange and appreciation of an idea, rather than the blind faith and unyielding dogma of a belief. What is more, she would do even better to allow other people the same rights that she is afforded if she truly wishes to uphold the dream she wrote about in her letter.

JENNIFER ST. CLAIR

Oceanside

Energy crisis created by legislators

A recent segment of "Frontline" profiled in detail the nature and state of the energy crisis gripping California and, soon, the rest of the nation.

It has become increasingly clear to many of us that this horrible and costly situation was intentionally created by California's legislators several years ago so that they and certain energy corporations could reap obscene and criminal profits at the expense of ratepayers.

This unconscionable activity is being intentionally protracted by stonewalling and name-calling on the parts of government (Gov. Davis, state; FERC, federal) and the pirating likes of Enron, Duke Energy and their counterparts. The strategy is to run the clock (just like lawyers do) to get as much money out of it as quickly as possible and at some point go ooops!

This has rightly been called the largest transfer of wealth in modern times, and this at the expense of our economy's health, all the way from the terrible effects of rolling blackouts to retired people and companies desperately trying to survive this criminally contrived energy situation.

MARY MC NULTY

Escondido

Editorial writer should get off his ivory tower

The June 7 editorial, "Road closures are ill-advised," was totally ill-advised. The North County Times stated, "Public officials around North County are taking the wrong approach to traffic problems by acceding to demands that private citizens be allowed to close public streets." The NCT should get its facts and priorities straight.

The officials who approved and issued the permit allowing the Lake San Marcos road closure were from the San Diego County Department of Public Works.

As a major North County media outlet, the NCT should be observing and then editorializing about the lax City Council of San Marcos (as well as Carlsbad), which blithely approved new residential development with apparently few teeth or little thought given to how the traffic increase is to be managed in an appropriate way.

Lake San Marcos suffers from cut-through traffic from San Marcos Boulevard and Rancho Santa Fe at commute times. The primary reasons there are bottlenecks on San Marcos Boulevard and Rancho Santa Fe is lack of planning and execution by the San Marcos City Council.

The NCT editorial writer should descend from his or her very tall ivory tower, begin to observe the real world and reflect reasonably about the traffic problems private citizens face.

DAVE REYNOLDS

Lake San Marcos

Stop complaining; institutions were here first

Every day when I read the letters to the editor I laugh. Someone is always complaining about the airport, the Marine Corps Base, the Marine Corps Air Station, the mushroom farm, the dairy farm, and the list goes on and on.

I am sure beyond any reasonable doubt that all of the above-mentioned institutions were there before the people writing the letters. They should have been smart enough to realize just where they were buying homes. Obviously, they weren't. Stop the madness and stop whining.

TODD W. HARTMAN

Oceanside

Wrong idea on 'B.C.' flap

Either I'm very naive or I just haven't been paying attention. I thought all this flap about the return of "B.C." was the Republicans crying for the return of Bill Clinton.

L. ALLAN JANDRO

Carlsbad

Better off today? Not bloody likely

The question is being asked, "Are you better off today than you were 100 days ago?"

Robin W. Bush of Washington Forest and his faithful servant, Friar Cheney, have one thing in common: Show me the money. Robin Bush's assets are $8 million to $19 million; Friar Cheney has as much as $69 million.

Before Cheney came to Washington Forest he was chairman of the board of Halliburton Co., an oil services firm. Hello.

Are we better off? Not bloody likely. No is my final answer.

ROBERT DUNCAN-BEGG

Oceanside

Freedom taken away with fluoride vote

The recent fluoridation debate was one more example of trading politics for favors, and once again our precious freedom and right to choose is taken away from us.

Those thousands of diabetics, senior citizens and heart patients who have been advised by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to avoid fluoridated drinking water (Toxicological Profile on Fluoride, July 1993) have been abandoned by the city of Escondido.

The anti-fluoridationists included dentists, medical doctors, Ph.Ds, a pharmacist, nutritionists, chiropractors and a host of concerned citizens who are concerned with the information they have learned about the long-term effects of fluoride on our health. To force thousands of people to ingest against their will a substance that is classified by the FDA as a drug is madness.

Fluoride is readily available in numerous forms for those who wish to take it. This is no different than forcing someone to take an aspirin when someone else has a headache. The water supply is not an appropriate vehicle to deliver medication.

Is the City Council prepared to offer an alternative water supply that is safe, consumable and available to those tens of thousands of people who must now abandon the city water supply due to health risks and the right to choose?

DALE PHILLIP

Rancho Santa Fe

Jeffords should pay back his supporters

If Sen. James Jeffords felt he could not, in good conscience, support the party he should have not run again as a Republican.

Now that he is no longer a Republican, he should pay back his supporters. He reminds me of the boy in the playground who owns the ball and if he can't pitch he is taking his ball and going home.

FRANK VINCENT COLCAGNO

Oceanside

Diesel generators mean dirty electricity

A policy of investing in diesel generators would be a mistake, threatening the lung health of our community. Diesel combustion gives off some of the most toxic pollution we know. The cough-producing, airway-tightening dirty electricity produced by diesel combustion should have no place in our region's long-term search for energy solutions.

Even with short-term use, the cancer-causing pollution from this kind of generator has serious health consequences such as the worsening of asthma and emphysema.

The region urgently needs better information about whether diesel generators are located close to schools, nursing homes or other sensitive places and about whether some generators are producing less pollution and should be more frequently used.

Immediately, the work of monitoring these generators - an effort now left entirely to each generator's owner - must be undertaken by the Air Pollution Control District. We call on the Air Pollution Control District to complete its inventory of the region's diesel generators, to provide an orderly measurement of what is being produced both in terms of electricity and pollution, and to implement an effective enforcement plan.

We call on our political leaders to speak out in this time of trouble on the wisdom of keeping health-based limits on polluting emissions.

JAMIE DAVIS

president and CEO

JAN CORTEZ

vice president for research and environment

American Lung Association San Diego & Imperial Counties

Sea World saves rare ocean species

The article about tearing down Sea World is so ludicrous I can't even believe it (Environmentalists unfair to Sea World." Not only does Sea World attract tourists, it houses a few rare species of fish and animals. Someday Sea World and the zoo may be the only places to see these living creatures.

We cannot stop progress, growth and overpopulation. Sea World has created a break from it all by having entertainment where humans can get up close to fish and animals they may otherwise never have a chance to see.

The fish and animals are safe from polluted waters, fishermen and hunters. These few creatures have a safe home. Why don't the environmentalists worry about the garbage humans throw in the ocean lagoons, the bay, lakes and beaches?

I would rather see humans in an area like Sea World, a controlled environment, than trashing our beaches and lagoons. A lot of people don't appreciate and respect the beauty around them. I like seeing people pay to see the California its residents and tourists take for granted.

SHAUNA MC GOLDRICK

Solana Beach

Clearing up some armband questions

Now that the backlash looks like it's ended, I will clear up some things for all of the people who have voiced their disagreement on my Anarcho-Communist views and my black armband with the red star.

First, to answer some speculations put forth, no, there was no authority figure at El Camino High School supporting us. No, neither my parents nor Ashley Bagnall's parents have ever been stationed at Camp Pendleton.

Before people call us unthinking, unfeeling, utterly stupid and say we don't know what communism or socialism is, they should talk to us because all those words do is make them look ignorant, not us. I'll let the "stars and bars" comment speak for itself.

Secondly, I hear exactly what Luke Haywas said in his May 24 letter every day, third period in his father's U.S. history class. His dad is a very intelligent man, but Luke shouldn't regurgitate everything he says. If he wants to know what I think about his comments, he should ask his dad. We discuss it all the time.

And lastly, to Mr. Larry Barry's May 17 letter: How does Communist armbands make America look like Nazi Germany?

JONATHAN FRANCIS MARTIN

Oceanside

King Soloman's court needed in energy crisis

Before King Soloman kneeled three men - Absalom, poor farmer; Bertos, wealthy merchant; and Avila, water vendor.

Soloman spoke to Bertos: "State your case."

Bertos responded: "Your majesty, when I went to Avila for water I thirsted, but when he asked 10 shekels for one skin I protested, for I knew he charged Absalom only two shekels. Avila laughed at me and said: 'Take it or leave it.' I paid. For no man can live without water. Now, I beg you for justice."

Solomon looked at Avila: "Speak!"

Avila responded humbly: "Your majesty, truly I paid one shekel for one skin of water, took my profit and sold it to Absalom for two shekels. When Bertos came to buy I charged him 10 shekels, for he was in sore thirst."

Solomon spoke: "In the eyes of the law all men are equal. There is no basis for water to be priced higher for one than another simply because one man is in greater need. Avila, you are to return the excess charges you have levied on Bertos and you are to receive 10 lashes to remind you that you have defiled the law of equality."

FRANK L. MC KIBBIN

Vista

Cultural civil war on abortion could go ballistic

I get a laugh and a half when the GOP malarkey engineer kicks in over welcoming the unborn into this world. One pictures pastel helium balloons, and like most things Republican, except trashing civil liberties, the welcome lasts until that first free pack of disposable diapers has been browned and buried in a landfill of gasbag rhetoric.

I won't be sitting at the GOP's cornucopia picnic table, having declared mild cosmic indifference to the unborn, undead and un-cola. After a point the number of abortions since Roe vs. Wade resonates along with spay or neutering stats for dogs and cats. We're dealing with replication of a pelvic-grinding monkey and mean machine, a short-lived carbon conundrum whose life is as sacred as it can afford to be, or as government and tyrants allow.

For all its designer gene-spliced wonderbrats, America's a righteous, mighty bore of a country, where every other gal or fella's a hero and legend who's making a difference and sending a message, often with warped, self-serving theology as the semaphore.

I fear this cultural civil war over abortion could go ballistic, yet I'd love to see the look on righty boy's face when the pro-choice forces start shooting back here in gunfighter nation.

KELLY HENNESSY

Oceanside

Market power is antithesis of free-market

Those referring to Economics 101 are pathetically uninformed. When one corporation has a monopoly or several corporations have an oligopoly, basic supply-and-demand concepts are dysfunctional.

In the electricity market President Bush's friends and associates such as Houston-based Dynegy, Enron, El Paso and Reliant and major contributors to Bush's campaign have what is called market power. They can charge anything they want and suffer few consequences.

To make matters worse, those responsible for maintaining fair and equitable wholesale prices, Chairman Curt Hebert and FERC, in dereliction of duty, refuse to take action. It is like an auction in reverse where the seller has to sell to the lowest bidder.

Also, price caps on wholesale electricity allowing for 30 percent profit will not diminish supply as claimed. Only electricity generators, marketers and Bushites would demand 500 to 1,000 percent profit and think that routinely paying $300 for a megawatt of power, an item that cost $30 per year, is fair and equitable.

Market power is the antithesis of free-market competition. Regulating electricity prices worked great for 75 years.

JOHN MICHENER

Vista

Dogs don't belong at street fair

This letter is for all the people who attend street fairs with their dogs. It is very unfair to them. I have two dogs and there is no way I would take them. The asphalt is very hot for their pads. I never even see the owners giving the dogs water. Of course, they - the owners - were drinking water.

As I was walking through a fair recently, I heard over and over, "How can they bring their dog here?" I bet if you asked them they would say, "Well, my dog wanted to come." Well, the last time I checked my dogs, they couldn't talk.

Maybe they have different dogs than mine. And it isn't fair to the dog to be pushed around by the crowds.

I think that when they advertise a street fair they should ask people not to bring their dogs. I am more concerned about the dogs than people. People are just plain stupid to bring them.

CINDI FINCH

Escondido

Commandment alternatives are no rules at all

Dick Eiden of Vista wrote in the June 8 issue of the North County Times that there are modern alternatives to the Ten Commandments. Interesting that someone has taken over God's job.

The list of published alternatives was the result of "one session of a small study group at the Palomar Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Vista." I will not repeat any of the suggestions here, as it would only add insult to injury. There are no commandments among them, there are no rules, they are ridiculous suggestions which attempt to deny God and his right to make rules by which we must live.

The Ten Commandments are as true today as they were when first received by man. The suggested alternatives don't mention do not kill, do not steal, honor our parents, and there is no mention of God at all. So just who is taking over his job?

JOHN SIMM

Escondido

Common sense must prevail on flag issue

I'm sorry, but as an old vet from World War II, I am just embarrassed when I hear of our youngsters exercising their right to free speech by determining that they don't have to salute the flag.

As a U.S. Marine, I was ready to die for the flag and my country that the flag represents. Their refusal to pledge allegiance to the flag that was so evident in the picture at Iwo Jima is representative of how they've been raised. This is just childish, immature rebellion against what has always been determined as respectful behavior.

When a person says that this is an expression of the freedom that we in this country can enjoy, it doesn't make any sense whatsoever to me.

If there are students from foreign countries here and watch such behavior, I'm sure their parents at home would only shake their heads at such disrespect for their country and those who fought and died to preserve such freedoms.

We have to remember that total freedom simply leads to anarchy and then total loss of all of our freedoms.

Common sense, which is no longer so common, must prevail in all of our actions toward our country.

CHARLES EDWARD COMPTON

Escondido

Putting teachers' salaries in perspective

Once again, I feel the need to write on behalf of teachers. I have a credential and 48 units beyond my BA degree. I have worked at the same school for seven years.

Just recently, my younger sister, who didn't graduate from high school and has worked at the job she has for only a year and a half, landed a new job in sales management that pays slightly more than my salary.

More power to her, but it made me think we are a little backward complaining about the salaries teachers make. We pay politicians, entertainers, sales managers, and the list goes on, more than teachers, and yet many people complain about teachers' salaries.

America, how much are your children worth? How much are you willing to put out? Not much. We pay into education minimally and then complain about the results.

I am not complaining about my salary or the amount of time I put in. But I am saying that for the many hours after school that teachers put in, for the abundance of their own money teachers put in, I think we should be praising our teachers who get paid minimally and take the maximum abuse of any profession.

I also want to give a huge thank-you to all the teachers who could have done something else and made more money but chose instead to educate the next generation.

LAURA JONES

Oceanside Volunteering opened eyes to education

I have just completed a year of volunteering each Tuesday afternoon in Mrs. Shaw's kindergarten class at Christa McAuliffe Elementary School.

My great-granddaughter, Monika, had the pleasure of being in this classroom.

What an eye-opener! Our young folks are so lucky to have such fine teachers, and believe you me, these children do learn. I was very impressed and feel this was a great time in my life and encourage all grandparents or great-grandparents to give it a try.

The teachers will appreciate it so much, and so will the children.

DOTTIE SHEPHERD

Oceanside

Stepped up border action needed

During the first week of May a group of Ukrainian nationals were arrested south of San Diego at the U.S.-Mexico border. They were charged with smuggling an estimated hundreds to thousands of Ukrainians into the U.S., some forced into prostitution and other crimes to obtain money to pay the smugglers for the illegal entry.

I gained this information from a national television network newscast. Wanting to learn more about this massive violation of U.S. federal law, I checked local daily newspapers, including the North County Times, but was unable to find one word in print. I don't understand the reason for this, but I believe it should have been on the front page to keep concerned citizens informed.

Additionally, it seems that our government is lapsing into a listless attitude relating to illegal aliens flooding across our borders, hoping that an uninformed public is better than a public demanding that immediate action is necessary to stem this perpetual illegal activity.

The Russian Mafia, Jamaican posses, Haitian gangs and other foreign criminal elements infest virtually every major U.S. city. The time is now for our government to wake up and send the military to protect our borders for the safety of all U.S. citizens.

LEON SMITH

Oceanside

Maie Ellis honors its volunteers

On May 31, the Maie Ellis Elementary School teachers hosted their annual volunteer tea to honor and thank the many wonderful parents and friends who volunteered their time at school during the year.

The faculty, staff, parents and students of Maie Ellis Elementary School would like to thank Color Spot Nursery of Fallbrook for the generous contribution of flowers they made to our volunteer tea.

The library lawn looked like a beautiful garden with the assorted colorful flowers. Volunteers were each honored with a plant as a token of appreciation for their many hours of service at Maie Ellis school.

Volunteers are valued at our school because they enrich the education of all of our students. We appreciate the time and effort each of these volunteers has given to our school.

SARAH WHITFIELD

assistant principal

Maie Ellis Elementary School

Big deal over nothing

For the life of me I can't figure out the big deal over this "B.C." issue. I mean, the author has let it be known his religious slant at holiday times and has some weird fascination with the wheel, snakes and a fat broad.

That he makes a statement now and then on values shows he is at least a spiritual person, and I can respect that. However, I can't respect some of the letter writers who get so bent over a perceived injustice to their narrow-minded view of life and can't wait to pounce like a vulture on roadkill.

Maybe their efforts would be better served going after "Doonesbury," where half our population is slammed for their political beliefs, if they're so fair minded.

Ever wonder why you can't talk politics and religion in public? Because they're the two most important aspects affecting one's life. People hate to be challenged, it seems.

DAN M. ASHOUR

Oceanside

NCT acted properly on 'B.C.'

I have been counting and am up to 57 friends and acquaintances (all subscribers) who have not written or e-mailed their opinions to the North County Times but nevertheless were appalled, upset or otherwise outraged by the Easter Sunday "B.C." cartoon. The originator of "B.C." has for many years leaned heavily on his fundamental Christian beliefs and has stated them clearly through his characters in many strips. We have always felt a distaste when confronted with one of these. We read the comics for light enjoyment not for religious statements. I speak thus for at least the above-mentioned subscribers, and we are not canceling our subscriptions. The NCT acted properly.

BARBARA MEACHUM HARRISON

Escondido

Key to microturbines is they are micro

When I was a child we used to have a neighbor who was a self-proclaimed know-it-all. He once told me he was sorry for my generation because all the advancement of civilization had happened and we would never know the excitement of new technologies. I was 10 years old that year in 1935; even then I knew he was wrong.

Another Mr. Know-it-all has challenged my statement that in Fargo there is a Holiday Inn that has 200 rooms with everything running on microturbines.

He evidently is thinking of the large industrial turbines. The key here is the word micro; the housing of the turbines is no bigger than an average refrigerator. I have no idea how many microturbines there are in that housing. No doubt enough to do the job. The venture was sanctioned by the Cass County Electric Cooperatives, 419 Elm St., Kindread, N.D. 58051.

I know such a move is a long way off for individuals, so we are looking into solar panels. We think we can put in 50 panels on our roof, and if they work as well as the two we have had for our hot water these past 26 years, hopefully we'll save enough to pay for the second mortgage we have to take out to pay for the panels and installment.

Meanwhile, we all have to hang in there. Someone might even come up with fusion energy. Of course, we all know that's simply impossible.

MARCIA MERCER

Ramona

A Father's Day message to future divorced dads

Each Father's Day many divorced dads face the challenge of prolonged separation from their children. The Family Court system in California awards 84.6 percent of custody disputes to the mother.

This discounting of the value of fatherhood must end. Fathers for Fair Visitation is demanding that our state Legislature enact legislation that guarantees a minimum of 30 percent visitation (unless the dad has been convicted of a violent crime).

Divorced dads have guaranteed financial commitment to their children without any guaranteed parenting rights.

While we recognize that the political climate is anti-dad, our focus has been to warn college-age males that the greatest danger to their future emotional and financial well-being is exposure to the bias of the California Family Court.

DAN DREBLOW

founder, Fathers for Fair

Visitation

Carlsbad

6/16/01

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