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Letters: Marine on No Kings, AI in the schools, Palomar Health's missing $50 million
Marine keeps his honor clean
I first sang the Marine Corps Hymn as a Devil Pup, at Camp Pendleton. I did not think beyond the verses; it was just a song, and my only concern was getting the words right.
Video:
Marines sing Marine anthem
Today, I think of the Hymn I sang for so many years. I've been proud to claim the title of United States Marine. Will I fight for Right and Freedom? Have I kept my Honor Clean?
When I enlisted, I swore to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States." Still a child, I had never made such an adult commitment. I still recall the seriousness and the sincerity of those who took the oath with me. Through decades of Marine Corps service, in and out of uniform, I never broke that promise.
Today, I think of our Constitution every day. Today, I support the Constitution in its entirety, as an expression of our past; testament to the foresight of the founders of our Nation; a promise to our future; the touchstone of our culture; the source and supreme law of America; and the guarantor of all the rights of individuals in our Nation.
Today, the promise to support and defend the entire Constitution is more important than ever. Today we are in a fight for right and freedom, ironically, with those who wrap themselves in the flag, break the laws established through the Constitution, and would return America to government by an autocrat. Today, we should Keep Our Honor Clean.
Today, I urge readers to re-read the Constitution — it's remarkably short! — and join with communities around the world on Saturday, October 18th as we Fight For Right and Freedom on No Kings Day (www.nokings.org)
Ron Willis
Vista
Artificial Intelligence is producing artificial education
Artificial Intelligence has infiltrated our California education system. As public schools implement the new use of AI within the classroom to comply with Gavin Newsom’s contracts with various AI corporations, as reported on the Governor of California’s official media site (Governor of California, August 7, 2025).
As a 2025 graduate of a California public school, I’ve witnessed the detrimental effects the new push for AI in the classroom has had on the quality of students’ learning, and it has finally reached a point where intervention is needed.
Artificial generators like ChatGPT have become a crutch for Californian students, ultimately hindering their ability to obtain a genuine education. Students rely on such sources for even the simplest tasks, from emails to basic questions involving critical thinking, leaving them with weakened critical thinking and accountability skills, as
highlighted in the California State University article on AI Plans (Lincoln & Kenney, February 13, 2025).
Moreover, AI-graded assignments force students to focus on superficial work rather than demonstrating the true complexity of critical thinking that they are developing. Further supported by Wetzler et al. in their study of AI and human-grade evaluations, as AI tends to focus on robotic writing rather than one of more profound emotional connection or argument (Wetzler et al., 2024). This forces students to disregard their individualism to produce formulaic work.
Despite the possibility that AI can enhance an individual student's progress in their educational journey, the risks of students falling victim to unsafeguarded AI enforcement outweigh the potential benefits of enhancement. As this continues unregulated, with incorporation, it will raise the next generation to be dependent on AI to function in their daily lives. Thus, integration should be slowed till proper regulations can be tested and implemented.
Kenzington Villareal
San Marcos
Palomar's Hail Mary for mental health
Recent reports suggest Palomar Health lost its $50 million grant for an inpatient behavioral health hospital due to financial concerns. This isn’t true. The award was rescinded on a technicality, and Palomar Health intends to fight in Round 2 to keep this project alive.
For seven years, a small team at Palomar Health consisting of Diane Hansen, Sheila Brown, Christi Knight and I carried this mission forward. When North County’s need for increased behavioral health services became urgent, only Palomar Health stepped up. Even when the County withdrew as a partner, we persisted. Our “Hail Mary” application for Prop. 1 funding succeeded, only to have the funds pulled without communication. We were left in disbelief.
The depth of this issue in North County demands a solution. We will not stop. We call on community members and elected officials to stand with us. Email [email protected] to sign a letter of support.
Kristin Gaspar
Escondido
Here's something you might be interested in.
Letters: Marine on No Kings, AI in the schools, Palomar Health's missing $50 million
Letters: Marine on No Kings, AI in the schools, Palomar Health's missing $50 million
Marine keeps his honor clean
I first sang the Marine Corps Hymn as a Devil Pup, at Camp Pendleton. I did not think beyond the verses; it was just a song, and my only concern was getting the words right.
Video:
Marines sing Marine anthem
Today, I think of the Hymn I sang for so many years. I've been proud to claim the title of United States Marine. Will I fight for Right and Freedom? Have I kept my Honor Clean?
When I enlisted, I swore to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States." Still a child, I had never made such an adult commitment. I still recall the seriousness and the sincerity of those who took the oath with me. Through decades of Marine Corps service, in and out of uniform, I never broke that promise.
Today, I think of our Constitution every day. Today, I support the Constitution in its entirety, as an expression of our past; testament to the foresight of the founders of our Nation; a promise to our future; the touchstone of our culture; the source and supreme law of America; and the guarantor of all the rights of individuals in our Nation.
Today, the promise to support and defend the entire Constitution is more important than ever. Today we are in a fight for right and freedom, ironically, with those who wrap themselves in the flag, break the laws established through the Constitution, and would return America to government by an autocrat. Today, we should Keep Our Honor Clean.
Today, I urge readers to re-read the Constitution — it's remarkably short! — and join with communities around the world on Saturday, October 18th as we Fight For Right and Freedom on No Kings Day (www.nokings.org)
Ron Willis
Vista
Artificial Intelligence is producing artificial education
Artificial Intelligence has infiltrated our California education system. As public schools implement the new use of AI within the classroom to comply with Gavin Newsom’s contracts with various AI corporations, as reported on the Governor of California’s official media site (Governor of California, August 7, 2025).
As a 2025 graduate of a California public school, I’ve witnessed the detrimental effects the new push for AI in the classroom has had on the quality of students’ learning, and it has finally reached a point where intervention is needed.
Artificial generators like ChatGPT have become a crutch for Californian students, ultimately hindering their ability to obtain a genuine education. Students rely on such sources for even the simplest tasks, from emails to basic questions involving critical thinking, leaving them with weakened critical thinking and accountability skills, as
highlighted in the California State University article on AI Plans (Lincoln & Kenney, February 13, 2025).
Moreover, AI-graded assignments force students to focus on superficial work rather than demonstrating the true complexity of critical thinking that they are developing. Further supported by Wetzler et al. in their study of AI and human-grade evaluations, as AI tends to focus on robotic writing rather than one of more profound emotional connection or argument (Wetzler et al., 2024). This forces students to disregard their individualism to produce formulaic work.
Despite the possibility that AI can enhance an individual student's progress in their educational journey, the risks of students falling victim to unsafeguarded AI enforcement outweigh the potential benefits of enhancement. As this continues unregulated, with incorporation, it will raise the next generation to be dependent on AI to function in their daily lives. Thus, integration should be slowed till proper regulations can be tested and implemented.
Kenzington Villareal
San Marcos
Palomar's Hail Mary for mental health
Recent reports suggest Palomar Health lost its $50 million grant for an inpatient behavioral health hospital due to financial concerns. This isn’t true. The award was rescinded on a technicality, and Palomar Health intends to fight in Round 2 to keep this project alive.
For seven years, a small team at Palomar Health consisting of Diane Hansen, Sheila Brown, Christi Knight and I carried this mission forward. When North County’s need for increased behavioral health services became urgent, only Palomar Health stepped up. Even when the County withdrew as a partner, we persisted. Our “Hail Mary” application for Prop. 1 funding succeeded, only to have the funds pulled without communication. We were left in disbelief.
The depth of this issue in North County demands a solution. We will not stop. We call on community members and elected officials to stand with us. Email [email protected] to sign a letter of support.
Kristin Gaspar
Escondido