North County Times

Energy producers are witholding power

Regarding the May 22 editorial, "The hijacking of California": My question is: How much additional energy capacity will California need before we again have a functioning market?

Now that energy producers know that they can make more money by withholding power, why not continue to withhold even as power supplies become quite abundant?

Another question: Won't the power suppliers try to maintain energy supplies at their current low level? Won't they find ways to fight increased production?

My concern is that with the present regulatory setup, the price of electricity doesn't have too much to do with supply. This has been demonstrated.

Thank you for your continuing attention to our vital energy questions.

BOB HARVEY

Del Mar

President's energy proposals are disappointing

We listened to Bush's energy proposals with disappointment in the lack of support for renewable technologies and distributed power generation. Coal and nuclear plants must be very large to reduce the cost of power they produce.

These plants produce more carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and mercury than any other power source. Hundreds of billions of dollars will be required to build the new plants that are needed, even with maximum conservation, including coal plants, nuclear plants, nuclear waste transportation and disposal facilities and high-voltage transmission lines.

Smaller distributed plants can use natural gas, microturbines, fuel cells, photovoltaic panels, wind and biomass to generate power that is more reliable and avoids the cost and environmental damage caused by coal plants, nuclear waste and the high-voltage lines that serve them.

Every one of us should write our representatives and demand that they allocate sufficient funds to support research, development and distribution of renewable technologies. These funds should be added to Bush's budget and whacked from his overblown tax cut.

RADON AND KATHY

TOLMAN

Oceanside

NIMBYs don't care if others are bothered by noise

I had hoped that the NIMBYs and their ill-advised campaign against our Marine helicopters were content to have been assigned to anonymity by the public. Unfortunately, some can't see the writing on the wall and I simply had to respond to the May 2 letter by ace-NIMBY Mary McNulty of Escondido.

First, she paints an exaggerated picture of the noise and the danger of helicopter over-flights. Then she demonstrates her NIMBY-ism by suggesting that these supposed dangers be transferred to Riverside County. Evidently, the noise and the danger to the poor slobs in Riverside County are something she and her fellow-NIMBYs can accept without a care in the world.

How sad that her lawn-party was affected by helicopter noise. Does she forget that her ability to enjoy a party in a free society is due in no small measure to those same well-trained Marines? Oh, by the way, I hope she did not include me in the exaggerated "tens of thousands" of residents (including Fallbrook) who feel as she does. I'm one of the hundreds of thousands of Americans who support our Marines. Semper fi.

ROBERT F. GREEN

Fallbrook

Valley Center is the wrong place for power plant

Our local bureaucrats are at it again. This time it's officials with the Valley Center water district who have proposed construction of a power plant in the middle of Moosa Canyon.

Taking advantage of the public's sensitivity to power outages, the water district wants to build its own electrical generation facility next to either Turner Lake or their existing pumping station. This objective is totally out of character with the area and will destroy part of a valuable resource. They would rather build a factory at the lake than let us use it for recreation.

The canyon is no place for industrialization. Put your plant where it belongs.

THOMAS J. FRANCL

Hidden Meadows

Conservatives getting their 'judge' deserts

William Safire, whose political philosophy is to the right of Genghis Khan, whines about how the new Republican president is having trouble getting his too, too conservative judge nominees approved ("Battle of the judges commences," May 11). His article appears below a political cartoon by Mark Thornhill, whose political philosophy is to the right of William Safire, which portrays Sen. Barbara Boxer as an evil witch torturing these same nominees.

This, by the very same Safire and Thornhill who delighted in the savage attack and defeat of almost every single judge nominee proffered by past President Clinton during his eight years in office.

If it weren't so funny, I'd cry.

CLIFF ROCHE

Oceanside

Turn the arts center over to the Indians

I just read the insert in the April 19 North County Times about the entertainment the new Indian casinos plan to schedule. Of course, they will be successful, as the past has shown. Unlike the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, this entertainment can be enjoyed by all taxpayers at reasonable prices, the same taxpayers who are paying for the CCAE's ongoing failures.

The casinos' motto is, "We're looking to attract people who want to be entertained." This is the opposite of the CCAE, which seems to schedule entertainment only for the elite and not for those who paid for building it and who continue to pay for its failing operation.

I suggest we take the arts center and give it to the Indians. In return, the Indians could give us 10 percent of gross profits (or even net). Failing this, I suggest a ballot measure that provides Escondido taxpayers with two options. Keep the failing arts center until a certain date in which it shall start being self-supporting. Or sell it, putting the proceeds in the general fund and saving us the almost $2 million a year.

Let the elitists build their own pleasure palace. Remember, we voted to build it because Jim Rady, Jerry Harmon, Doug Best, Ernie Cowan and Doris Thurston assured us as council members that the arts center would pay for itself. So much for their vision for Escondido.

GERALD LENHARD

Escondido

SM promises one thing, does another

San Elijo Hills Development Co. wants to duck promises of natural open space and develop the preserve lands topping San Marcos' prominent Cerro de Las Posas/Twin Peak ridgeline ("SM golf course gets sub-par reception," May 15). The big question is, will San Marcos planners and council also go back on their word and ignore the city goals, policies and plans they were elected to uphold?

During San Elijo's 1997 approval, the city promised to uphold long-standing policy, assuring the public that the ridgeline, its view, silhouette and natural open space would be preserved and remain undeveloped. So why are they now processing a conditional use permit for mountaintop development?

Certainly not to destroy the beauty of San Marcos' most prominent landmark. Certainly not to blanket City Hall and their citizens in the daily dust, debris and noise that blasting this mountaintop's volcanic rock entails.

Certainly not to waste excessive amounts of precious energy and water in order to pump and irrigate hundreds of acres of blasted and graded ridgeline, hoping grass will grow on top of this 1,600-foot-high arid and windy volcanic rock mountain.

I hope it's not to prove how easy they promise one thing while laying plans to do the opposite. But what else is left?

KIM HUNTER

Elfin Forest

Real pro-life agenda is domination

Hans Neumann ("Denial of pro-abortionists doesn't change sin," May 10) and other self-styled prophets love to quote any scriptural reference that when taken out of context appears to justify their hidden agenda. Keep digging, Mr. Neumann. I'm sure you'll find that scriptural ban on '56 Chevys if you really try.

Pat Robertson recently provided a stunning insight into the so-called pro-life movement's true agenda by condoning the Chinese government's policy on forced abortion. His position should surprise no one. Forcing or banning abortion both amount to the same thing: government interference in personal female reproductive matters.

Their obvious primary goal is government-sanctioned domination of all aspects of American culture based on a narrow and distorted fundamentalist interpretation of holy Scripture, not the salvation of innocent lives, and their efforts would be better spent tending the needs of living children instead of praying for those who were never meant to be.

Anti-choice protesters should heed the words of our Lord in Matthew 6:4: "And when you pray, be not as the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners, in order to be seen by men."

SUZANNE HILL-STRACHE

San Marcos

News media obsessed with the word 'crash'

We very much appreciate the Monday editorials, "Roses and raspberries." Particularly pleasing is that there are always more roses than raspberries.

However, Iowans can never pay a compliment without throwing in at least one criticism. Here goes: I take exception to the comment in the May 14 raspberry on "the Federal Aviation Administration's wonderful linguistic flight of fancy, 'controlled flight into terrain' instead of the real words: 'a plane crash.'"

Unlike the news media's obsession with the word "crash," the term "controlled flight into terrain" is legal logic, explaining that the accident was not a result of aircraft malfunction or pilot incapacitation. The word "crash" indicates that the plane, train, bus, auto, truck, etc., is out of control.

News media's obsession with the word "crash" was clearly displayed in the last week when the NCT headlined an article with the phrase "Aircraft crashes into sea near Boston." No crash occurred. When read, the article clearly states that the pilot made a controlled but unscheduled landing in the sea near Boston. No fatalities, no injuries.

DONALD EUGENE MILLER

Oceanside

Caring for killers has got to stop

After listening to Tim Russert with Pat Buchanan and Phil Donahue regarding the death penalty, I'm just sick. Who cares about Tim McVeigh and how he would suffer?

What about those children, babies and young, old people - how they suffered and how long they suffered before dying? This sickness of caring about killers and their feelings and not the innocent victims has got to stop.

DEE STEPHENS

Carlsbad

Different people offended by different things

I have been a subscriber to the North County Times since its inception. I've always enjoyed the newspaper's casual approach to the things that are happening in North County. I do not, however, believe in censorship, which is what I interpret the newspaper's decision to drop the "B.C." comic strip as. Different people are offended by different things according to their points of view.

I find some of the political cartoons the NCT runs offensive, and some of the things it chooses to print on the Back Page I also find not to my taste.

However, I've always thought that a newspaper's purpose was to enlighten. My subscription is paid until August. It's up to the NCT and its staff as to whether I will be renewing it.

JOHN PAVICH

Carlsbad

Reconsider decision to drop 'B.C.'

I enjoy the North County Times newspaper; in fact, I just subscribed to it.

Now I am very disappointed to find out that the NCT has dropped "B.C." in the comic section. Why is it that comments can be made about Christians, but as soon as a Christian voices his opinion it's offensive?

I hope the NCT will reconsider its decision.

JANICE JERAY-MOHNEY

Carlsbad

Teen has lost respect for country

I am a 13-year-old student at Valley Center Middle School, and I am deeply disturbed by the number of letters I see against the North County Times' decision to remove the comic strip "B.C." I was very offended by the comic strip on Easter Sunday, and now it brings me to tears to read the letters from such a great majority.

Just recently, I've had to hear my own peers mocking my religion on the bus, but I let it slide because I knew that they weren't mature enough to understand, but now I have to hear this from adults, too.

This country was born as a land of immigrants of different races, nationalities and religion. I always thought that we've learned to accept each other and our cultural differences, but I guess I've been proven wrong. I have to say, I lost a lot of respect for this country.

SHELBY WALKER

Escondido

Creator of 'B.C.' was stating his Christian beliefs

I object to the North County Times dropping the "B.C." comic strip. I would hope that the NCT would reconsider. Everyone has a right to his particular beliefs.

I don't believe that the creator of that strip meant anything toward Jewish people or their beliefs. He was just stating his Christian beliefs, which are based in the truth of the Bible as Christians see it.

Thank you for not discriminating against any religion, race, creed, etc.

JANE MARCOTTE

Escondido

Stand united in respect for our flag

Regarding the pledge issue at MiraCosta College: It makes me so angry to see yet another example of how our country is insulted by its residents, residents who are undoubtedly enjoying the benefits the U.S. has to offer, who may or may not be citizens.

This country was established by people who chose and fought to be united. Anyone living here should practice (by pledging) to remain united by showing respect to the American flag and the freedom and unity it represents. Whether or not they are a citizen, they are here. If they don't like it, I invite them to leave. When I resided in or visited other countries I didn't insult them; I showed respect to them by recognizing what was important to them. I stood for their anthems.

The lack of showing respect to our flag will serve only to further erode and fragment us as a society. If those students want to honor their native country's flag, tell them to do it at home. The American flag should be the No. 1 and only in all of our public facilities as far as I'm concerned. Come on, America. Stand united under our flag.

ELLEN M. RANERI

Oceanside

Beat the high cost of energy

To cook and heat the house, chop wood.

To see at night, buy candles.

To get from here to there, get a horse.

William Valitus

Canyon Lake

Liberals on way out in California

Could we ever look forward to the day when Democrats and environmentalists who have blocked drilling for oil or vetoed building much-needed power plants step up and take the blame for shortages in both these areas?

No. What these people do is blame everyone else for the mess they alone have created with their anti-growth policies. Even Congressman Henry Waxman joined in, blaming the federal government for our plight when he is one of "the federal government" who continually voted against measures that would have solved both these problems.

Just how stupid do these liberal politicians think the average voter is?

The chickens of liberal policies are coming home to roost. Just as right thinking has prevailed in our nation's capital, look for the liberal politician to be swept out of office in California in the next elections. What a breath of fresh air that would be.

Frank Callaghan

Lake Elsinore

Residents need to unite against gas prices

Gas prices suck. Yes, they're still less than most of the developed world and yes we're spoiled with our sport utility vehicles. But this doesn't excuse the unconscionable increase in prices we've seen in the past 30 days. National Gas-Out Day won't work, because we'll be back in line for gas tomorrow. Cutting out luxury driving is OK, but it's still punishing us.

My suggestion is to target one oil company and completely stop doing business with it. I picked Shell -- they're foreign, so the layoffs will have less impact on the United States and they are large enough that they won't go belly-up without our business. Cut up your Shell card and stop visiting their quick-marts. If their quarterly profits are impacted and their dealers are screaming, they'll pay attention and so will the other oil companies.

We are the largest special interest in the world; all we need to do is unite and our voice will be heard.

Tony Harris

Temecula

Gore lost; get over it

The opinion column by Joan David ("Bush family did swipe election," May 21) is pathetically laughable. Joan is still singing the old liberal tune that President Bush "stole the election."

Someone needs to point out to Joan that the horse she is whipping is not only profoundly dead, but the carcass has started to stink. All but the most diehard liberal Democrats have long since accepted the fact that liberal efforts to de-legitimize the election of President G.W. Bush (that's "Dubya" to Joan and her friends) have failed to materialize with the vast majority of Americans of both parties.

Yes, Joan, as you pointed out, many disenfranchised Florida felons were turned away from the polls. Many illiterate voters, rounded up and bused to the polls by liberal activists, spoiled their Democrat-designed and -approved butterfly ballots.

You conveniently forgot to point out the largely Republican military overseas ballots that were thrown out because of smudged postmarks and other arcane rules, and other Democrat tactics to manipulate the results of the election.

If voters had wanted Al Gore elected, he would have won. The truth is, many moderate voters of both parties were sick of him, and liberals split their vote to vote for Ralph Nader. Joan might remember the effect Ross Perot had on the outcome of the 1992 and 1996 elections, both of which Bill Clinton won with less than a majority.

Take a deep breath, Joan, have another glass of whine. You lost. Get over it.

Don Price

Temecula

Diabetes walk was a big success

The preliminary totals are in and the 2001 Walk to Cure Diabetes was a great success. Thanks to Bill Fowler, community president of Wells Fargo Bank and all his employees, who contributed over $60,000 toward this year's walk.

The top corporate teams for this year's walk were: Wells Fargo Bank, Brookstone Construction, Community National Bank, Rancho Ford and Van Avery Prep. Together, our family teams raised over $16,691.00. The top family teams were Brian's Brigade, Team Garrett, Team Jordon, Team Lauren and Team Truax.

The dedication and enthusiasm exemplified by all participants of the Walk to Cure Diabetes enables us to continue our mission to find a cure. A heartfelt thanks to Southwest Traders, who provided ice cream for everyone on this especially hot day. We are exceptionally grateful to Heather at Dine In Delivery, Oscar's, Sammy's, and Domenico's, who provided lunch for all walkers. I would also like to thank all of the volunteers who worked behind the scenes to make sure that walk day was fun for everyone.

Approximately 16 million Americans suffer from diabetes. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is the largest non-governmental funder of diabetes research in the world, with over 80 cents of every dollar raised going directly to funding research and education. With your continued support, one day we will be known as the people who found a cure for diabetes.

I look forward to walking with you at the 2002 Walk.

Mary Jaquish

special events coordinator,

Inland Empire chapter,

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

5/23/01

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