Car pooling is the answer
Our brave and fearless leader, President G.W. Bush, made acomment during his campaign: “I will not allow another country totell America when we should defend ourselves.” So why do we, thepeople, allow foreign oil producers to manipulate us? Can we beself-sufficient?
We’ll never know until we try. The state of California isproposing billions of dollars in freeway widening. The mostdangerous roads are multiple lanes. Four are bad, six or eight areworse. I would rather take that money and use it to reduce thestate financial deficit.
Me, I would rather spend five, 10, 15 or 20 minutes picking up aco-worker than spend time parked on the freeway. The best part ofit all is, I’m safer, I save money and I’m in control, not someforeign oil producer.
Who knows, maybe we are self-sufficient. Try car pooling; it maywork.
ROBERT MARTINEZ
Vista
Pay more and hire legal workers
As usual when it comes to immigration law, Raoul Contreras iswrong again, “Border Patrol crossed the line,” Nov. 26.
Asa Hutchinson, undersecretary for Homeland Security, actuallystated that the action by the agents was completely legal. The onlyproblem was that it was not cleared with Washington for politicalcorrectness.
United States v. Brignoni-Ponce related to the stop of a vehiclecarrying illegal drugs. The 1952 Immigration and Naturalization Actauthorized agents to stop any vehicle within 100 air miles of theborder, just because they wanted to.
The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution says nothing whateverabout stopping and questioning people. Read it.
I retired as a supervisory agent at Temecula in 1982; weconducted so-called sweeps as a regular part of our operations,which were very effective. There were no day laborers standingaround waiting to be hired.
Bob Vice, the Fallbrook avocado grower, just gave the BorderPatrol reason to check our work force. He admits that he knows theyare illegal – “our work force could disappear overnight.” Maybe weshould pay a little more and hire legal workers.
FRANK D. THURLOW
Vista
There are better ways to ensure safety
Chief Michael Poehlman of the Oceanside police recently wrote apiece defending the use of red-light cameras in our communitiesfrom several aspects, not the least of which was safety.
He would have us believe that the equipment being installed inhis community, as well as others, is the most effectivecamera-monitoring technology available. Clearly, it is not andother countries are aware of this. Many countries, notably Asian,employ the use of digital timed countdown lights in addition tored-light cameras.
On my first trip to China, I was amazed to see how effectivethis technology was. When a motorist approaches an intersectionshowing a yellow light, the light also has a yellow numericalcountdown as soon as it turns yellow, showing the motorist how manyseconds it will be before turning red. Our traffic light systemsleaves all of us clueless as to how long that yellow will be beforeturning red. Not very conducive to optimum safety.
Why can we not employ such a system here? Is it ignorance on thepart of our decision makers? Or maybe it serves the citationrevenue stream to keep the motorist guessing as to when the lightwill change.
DONALD R. KOLASINSKI
Vista
This liberal is staying put to fight forchange
On Nov. 26 the North County Times printed six letters attackingthe motives of Mr. Richard Peaco*ck for his “Leaving North County”story.
One wonders how all those brave people are so blind as not tonotice how fast our quality of life is slipping away from what wasonce an uncrowded, rural-like part of North San Diego County.Having escaped the crowded San Francisco Bay Area 25 years ago, Ihave seen the changes right around San Marcos, where I have workedthat many years.
One must add, however, that the six writers mentioned above seemmore motivated by their emotions than by their thinking, a typicaltrait of all those who put the Bushies back into power. Havingescaped from a cold country to come to America I could not, myself,survive living full time up north, even in Victoria, easily themost beautiful city of British Columbia. So I am staying right hereand hope and plan to fight it, trying to elect different people incharge of running our lives who are not puppets of the greedydevelopers and builders who are ruining the land.
LOUIS MAILLEFER
San Marcos
Fight problem at home, not in Colombia
America has a problem with cocaine. According to a 2003 nationalsurvey on drugs and health, 34.9 million Americans are users ofcocaine. Most of those are teens and young adults. Children asyoung as 12 years old are being exposed to cocaine.
What is the American government doing about this issue? They aregoing to Colombia and destroying farmland, fields, livestock andpeople with chemical agents. The government spends billions ofdollars of tax money each year to fund programs in Colombia to stopcocaine production. However, the majority of the money is used tofund the civil war within Colombia. America and Colombia havedifferent goals.
The American government is most concerned with the traffickingof drugs, while Colombia is concerned with bringing a resolution totheir civil war. The little that the Colombian government is doingis more harmful than effective; their effort to stop thetrafficking of drugs is to spray chemicals in toxic amountscarelessly. This drug policy has been around since the 1980s, andyet there is no significant difference in cocaine use inAmerica.
We need to get Americans’ tax dollars back to our streets, wherethey will be more effective.
AMY ALI
Oceanside
Financial aid requirements too stringent
Because of stringent qualifications for college financial aid,it has become increasingly difficult for students to obtain aneducation. The contributing factor college officials use indetermining who does and who does not qualify is income status. Inmy situation, I was twice denied any financial assistance becausemy parents make too much money.
However, what college officials fail to understand is that,although my parents’ income may seem to exceed the allowed limit,it is not enough for them to pay their bills and still allow me toattend college and pay for all college-related expenses, such asbooks.
Last semester, being an out-of-state student definitely took atoll on my parents’ finances. I just hope in the future financialaid officers will thoroughly consider an ethical aspect before theymake their final decision.
ELVIN JAMANDRE
Vista
Resolve to help animals this new year
As an Escondido resident, and an Escondido Humane Societyemployee, I would like to suggest a New Year’s resolution to thereaders of this newspaper: Resolve to make a monthly donation tohelp your shelter care for the many homeless dogs and cats we takein every month.
Unlike state-funded county shelters, we operate on donations andcontributions from members of our community. Not only do we needregular financial support for the care of stray animals, but alsofor animals that people have to give up to the shelter.
By donating whatever amount you can afford on a monthly basis,you contribute to a solution for our community’s ongoing petoverpopulation problem. I work in the adoptions department at theshelter, and I can only donate $10 every pay period. But every timeI do that, I am proud to be supporting our local shelter andhelping to fund care for animals in need of it.
You can call us at (760) 888-2235 to set up an automatic debitplan or receive envelopes addressed to the shelter. And donating tothe EHS not only makes you feel good, it also istax-deductible.
TAMARA K. DRAIN
Escondido
Skateboarders unfairly demonized
My question is, is skateboarding a crime? It seems like societyviews skateboarding as a destruction of property and nothing more.To most skaters, skateboarding is freedom of expression, just likeRollerblading or extreme biking, although I don’t see authorityfigures giving tickets or harassing any Rollerbladers orbikers.
I don’t think it’s right for authority figures to take away ourboards and give out expensive tickets for doing what we love todo.
It’s amazing to see how hard it is to find a place to skateboardwithout getting kicked out by police or security guards. You aregoing to get harassed by someone if you skate in your city. Itmight be a security guard or a cop while you are rolling down thesidewalk, or even worse, some macho guy who thinks he’s the hero ofthe day by stopping you from skating. Skateboarding is one of themost popular activities for a kid today. Is it fair to hassle andscare a young kid who shows independence or individuality throughskateboarding?
Authority as well as society view skateboarders as hoodlums orvillains, but to skateboarders it’s an art.
MICHAEL R. BECK
Oceanside
Let Marines, soldiers do their jobs
In the fog of war, bad things happen – friendly fire, civiliancollateral casualties and non-combat accidents, to name a few.
If an embedded reporter is wounded or killed in combat, in allprobability his military escorts would be blamed for lack ofprotection. In such an intense and dangerous environment, the lastthing our Marines and Army need is to wet-nurse a news gathererwho, by his very nature, attempts to seek out the sensational.
In World War II (where I served as a Marine) we were fortunatethat we had a recognizable enemy. Today, in combat, anyone you lookat could be responsible for your demise. Don’t make every soldierfaced with death stop and leisurely evaluate whether the impendingthreat is real.
Our Marines and soldiers are highly trained, mistakesnotwithstanding. Let them do their job or bring them home.
To the doubters: Walk even one-quarter mile in their boots.
SID ZIMMAN
Oceanside
A patriot tries to save the entire world
In grade school during the 1930s, my mind accepted thedefinition of patriot as synonymous with Nathan Hale’s lastutterance. Children around the world were probably trainedsimilarly. We learned love of country is second only to love ofGod. We were assured our wars were righteous, just as people inother countries were led to believe in their empire building.
Restricting patriotism to nationalism has brought us to where weare today.
Technology has shrunk our world and we had better expand ourthinking, if it is not already too late. We are passengers of SpaceShip Earth, a patriot is one who strives to save the ship.
Please study: “America (the Book) A Citizen’s Guide to DemocracyInaction.”
EMIL BUFF
Oceanside
Sept. 11 was Clinton’s fault
Why did Sept. 11 happen? Don’t expect to learn the following atthe new Clinton Presidential Library or from the book “MyLife.”
President Clinton never visited the site of the 1993 World TradeCenter bombing and warns New Yorkers “not to overreact.” He toursNew Jersey four days later to deliver the same message, then turnsthe investigation over exclusively to New York City U.S. attorney’soffice as a crime, not an act of terrorism.
In 1995, Sudan kicks bin Laden out of their country and wants toturn him over to the U.S., but the Clinton administration takes apass. Bin Laden goes to Afghanistan.
The Minneapolis FBI is alerted to Zacarias Moussaoui, al-Qaida’s20th hijacker (on his computer were names of 19 other hijackers),as they were taking flight lessons. The FBI denied access to thecomputer because President Clinton was under pressure from civilliberties groups and refused to issue search warrants.
Hijackers Mohamed Atta, Nawaf Alhazmi and Ziad Samir Jarrah wereall pulled over for driving violations prior to Sept. 11, butslipped through our hands as the idea of tying in visa expirationswith driver’s license expirations was also rejected by PresidentClinton.
Enjoy the library.
BOB HAUNSCHILD
Escondido
Counting deaths in Iraq
Well, I see the myopic, narrow-minded and insensitive headcounters are still rowing the boat at The Associated Press,”November ties as deadliest month in Iraq,” Page 1, above the fold,Dec. 1.
I wonder how many Americans died an ignoble death on thehighways and byways of the U.S. in November and what, exactly, theybought with their blood.
JAMES T. STRONG
Escondido
Too many U.S. stolen cars found in Mexico
I just read or heard on the TV that approximately 5,600 stolenU.S. cars a year are recovered in Mexico. I find this veryalarming, as it will take only a small fix to stop this.
Before entering Mexico the driver must show proof (registration)of the vehicle he is driving. I know it will take a little longerto enter Mexico, but I believe the benefits are worth it.
GERALD BOSWELL
Vista
Fire department responds immediately
I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation for thefiremen and paramedics who professionally and expeditiously came tomy assistance on two separate occasions.
On Nov. 11, I fell at my home and a couple of months prior, Ihad a mild heart attack. On both occasions, the Fire Departmentstaff responded within minutes. While I have heard there is concernabout response times in Oceanside, that has not been myexperience.
I am truly grateful that the Fire Department in Oceanside canand does respond to calls for assistance immediately.
JEANETTE ANDERSON
Oceanside
Protect your cell phone minutes
Starting Jan 1, all cell phone numbers will be made public totelemarketing firms. This means that as of Jan. 1, your cell phonemay start ringing off the hook with telemarketers, but unlike yourhome phone, most of you pay for your incoming calls. Thesetelemarketers will eat up your free minutes and end up costing youmoney in the long run.
According to the National Do Not Call List, you have until Dec.15, 2004, to get on the national “Do not call list” for cellphones. They said that you need to call (888) 382-1222 from thecell phone that you wish to have put on the “Do Not Call List” tobe put on the list. They also said you can do it online atwww.donotcall.gov. Registering only takes a minute, is in effectfor five years and will possibly save you money — definitelyfrustration. Make sure you register now.
ROBERT RASBAND
Temecula
Schools need to encourage sports likehockey
Hard work, team work, school spirit and making friends — theseare good things in high school. Sports are important for manypeople and help build life skills and lifelong friends for theparticipants, Alas, our high schools have only so much money forsports and should not be expected to provide anymore then theyalready do. That’s why there is a high school roller hockey leagueat Inline Sports in Corona that is funded by parents only and fullyinsured. At this time, it’s a nonsanctioned sport at many highschools.
At Murrieta’s two high schools it can be a hockey club, but theclub cannot have a hockey team. In San Diego high schools, some are(California Interscholastic Federation)-sanctioned leagues whileothers are not. Some schools have a program and some do not. Whilesome leagues let high schools combine players to have enoughplayers to field a team, other high schools have enough players tohave three to four teams just from their own school roster.
This is a real testament to volunteerism and school spirit andshould be applauded and encouraged by all schools, but it’s not andthis needs to change. I respectfully ask all school board membersand others to consider encouraging parent involvement,volunteerism, school spirit and activities like hockey to helpenrich the high school experience for our students and theirparents. My hope is that the school boards and others would find away to help, not hinder. We don’t want money. We just want to berecognized and allowed to be part of our schools.
DAN PERKINS
Murrieta
Thanks for your coverage of community
I began taking your paper, as well as another paper, when Imoved here in February of this year.
I now receive only yours due to the local community news. Yourcoverage of our schools and things of interest to the community iswhy I chose to do so. I just wanted to take this opportunity tothank you for paper as well as your excellent delivery of thepaper. I refer to the editorial cartoon in the Dec. 8 paper titled”Thornhill’s view,” which shows me your unbiased view.
JUDY HERZOG
Temecula
Business decision or intolerance?
I’ve lived in lamentably ignorant Riverside County for 12 yearsnow, and though this is a persistent problem, it seems to have cometo a head this year. It may seem like a small matter, but intoday’s atmosphere of intolerance, it may become a larger issue.Every retail outlet abounds with Christian religious and secularChristmas consumables, from cards to trees.
But when a Jew goes looking for Hanukkah candles to celebrate afar older holiday, the Menifee/Sun City area has simply said “nomore.” Is it a growing Christian right that wishes to disguise anyJewish identity to the person of Jesus by eliminating anyconnection to Jewish celebrations? Is it pure and simpleanti-Semitism? Or is it merely the retailers’ ignorance aboutJewish holidays and the fact that they are moveable feasts, neverthe same date from year to year because the Jewish calendar isbased on the phases of the moon? I tend to think it the latter. I’dlike to think so.
The manager of Target in Menifee informed me that if not enoughof such items were sold — like Hanukkah candles, gift wrap, cards– they simply don’t find it economically feasible to carry themfrom year to year. A business decision, but can the availability ofreligious items truly be left to charts and graphs? The absence ofthese items in Vons, Albertson’s, Stater Bros., Ralphs, Rite-Aid,and Target — all in the Menifee/Sun City area, speaks volumesabout the interests of the majority population toward those ofanother culture or religion. Do you really wonder why the rest ofthe world looks upon us with disdain?
JERI WESTERSON
Menifee
Arizona initiative good for other states
During the months before the national election, both PresidentBush and Sen. John Kerry carefully avoided discussing or debatingthe presence of millions of illegal aliens in the United States.Now that President Bush has been given another four years, hequickly sent Secretary of State Colin Powell to Mexico to meet withMexican President Vicente Fox to discuss granting legal status toillegal aliens.
In order to brainwash U.S. citizens, the White House releasedcarefully worded press releases to the news media. A prime exampleis President Bush’s statement that “millions of hardworking men andwomen are condemned to fear and insecurity in a massiveundocumented economy.” The president’s key feature in his plan, to”provide temporary legal status to the 8 million migrants who livein the U.S. without U.S. government approval,” makes me wonder whatpart of “illegal” and “alien” President Bush doesn’tunderstand.
South of the border, President Fox continues to whine aboutlegal status for these illegal aliens in the United States asthough it’s a right instead of a crime.
In Arizona, voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot initiativeto keep illegal aliens from voting and obtaining some governmentservices. I sincerely hope this rightful trend spreadsnationwide.
LEON SMITH
Oceanside
