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Memorial Day celebration in San Diego County
The American flag atop Mount Suribachi is a war memorial. Eva, if you do not understand the difference between a religious structure (Christian cross) and four soldiers on the island of Iwo Jima attempting to place a flagpole flying the American flag into the ground atop Mount Suribachi, please ask. Eva Knott said, "The awe-inspiring place has been used as a memorial park since 1914." Ms. Knott, where have you researched this information in your third paragraph? The well-researched Wikipedia article "Mount Soledad Cross" makes no mention of "a memorial park since 1914." As a long time La Jollan, I have never heard about "a memorial park since 1914." If you have made an error in your article or received misinformation from an organization in the form of a press release, please inform your readers. Eva Knott canknott be serious when the secondary title in her article reflects, "Timely ceremony at Mount Soledad veterans' memorial" The title "Mount Soledad veterans' memorial" does not exist in Wikipedia and is the figment of a group of individuals who are attempting to rewrite history. Prior to 1989 the "Easter Cross" related to the dedication of this Christian erection in 1954 on Easter Sunday by the grandmother of William Kellogg. This awkward attempt by this self-ordained "Mount Soledad veterans' association" began in the years following the successful lawsuit by the late Phillip Paulsen in 1989. Beginning in 1989 to present, every court has declared this Christian cross to be unconstitutional on public land whether owned by the City of San Diego or the United States (Federal) Government. This is the separation of church and state. A Christian cross no more represents the American war dead than a Star of David. No Buddhist, Hindu or Jew would have any desire to have a Christian cross on their grave. This Christian cross atop Mount Soledad is an insult to nearly everyone who served their country, including Catholics and Protestants. I have a U.S. Navy retirement. No U.S. military cemetery has a Christian cross dominating its landscape, including: Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery (Point Loma), Punchbowl (island of Oahu, Hawaii), the Philippine Islands (Manila), and all U.S. military cemeteries in Europe. I strongly recommend everyone go to Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on Point Loma for exquisite views and to remember the American war dead. There are no war dead atop Mount Soledad, only plaques affixed to obfuscate an unconstitutional religious symbol. The easiest and fairest route for everyone would be to remove the arms of the cross. By doing so, this edifice would become a stile. Then Christians could imagine the stile as a cross and non-Christians would envision the stile as war memorial.— June 9, 2013 12:36 p.m.
Grand Jury investigation transcripts for South Bay school districts released
I wanted to say thank you for the coverage on Grand Jury Transcripts regarding the Sweetwater Union High School District. After reading these transcripts I am more determined than ever to have this board adopt a resolution for campaign contribution and term limitations. I have been trying for over a year and half with no avail to have this board adopt some kind of campaign reform. However, nobody on this board is willing to move forward on the reform except for Ms. Lopez. I have heard every excuse such as the proposal has loop holes, leaves it wide open for special interest groups however, not one member of the Sweetwater Union High School District Board has stepped forward with suggestions. The board suggested a committee be formed and I volunteered and met with board president Cartmill on May 10th and have heard nothing back from him. He had promised at that time to have an amended proposal to me in a week and it has already been a month. One would tend to expect that since the Grand Jury testimonies have been released this board would welcome any kind of reform. However it is clear that the only intentions they have are for themselves. Sincerely, Maty Adato— June 9, 2013 12:21 p.m.
Thomas Jefferson School of Law low in employment stats
Don Bauder’s story on California law school post-graduate employment statistics needs some context. More than two-thirds of our Thomas Jefferson School of Law graduates are employed nine months after graduation and our students continue to land excellent positions in the legal field – in many cases they are finding their “dream job.” Moreover, California law school graduates don’t find out whether they pass the bar exam until almost seven months after a May graduation – and many wait until they are licensed attorneys before beginning their job search. Many law school graduates also use their juris doctor degrees in occupations outside of legal practice. A law degree is valuable in quite a few professional pursuits, including business and politics. For example, Mayor Bob Filner’s Chief of Staff, Vince Hall, is a 2008 TJSL graduate, and Randy Frisch, the new Vice-Chancellor of National University, is a 2009 graduate. Our current law students are on an incredible run of obtaining prestigious internships and fellowships that will undoubtedly lead to more of them finding those “dream jobs” after graduation. Please see our website (www.tjsl.edu) for further information. Susan Bisom-Rapp, Professor of Law, Thomas Jefferson School of Law— May 30, 2013 9:54 a.m.
Star Trek into Darkness
Just attended the special advance preview screening in San Diego last night of "Star Trek: Into Darkness." As a committed lifelong Trekkie who's seen every original episode and film far more times than I care to admit (has it been that many?) I have to confess that walking into the theater, I had my concerns that it would be difficult for J.J. Abrams to find a way to not only top himself beyond his last installment, but to locate a portal through which he could narrowly escape from the alternative universe in which he has now firmly ensconced one of history's most beloved, cherished film franchises, without coming across as being repetitive, pedantic, or simply off point. As difficult as it is for me to confess it, within minutes of settling in to my chair to see where Abrams would take this cinematic enterprise next, I managed to relax. But only for a moment. This movie not only had more action, adventure, suspense, spills, thrills, chills (literally), twists, turns, substance, humor, pathos, humanity, and heart than Star Trek's last largely unexpected outing, but still managed to stay true to the theme, vision, spirit and inspirational underpinnings of the Great Bird of the Galaxy who invented it. It would be defeatist to remain stuck in the neutral zone on this one. If you're looking for more refreshingly unanticipated insights into the origins of how Kirk, Spock, Bones, Uhura, Chekov, Scotty, and even several characters whom you thought were merely tangential to this crew's experiential and emotional evolution managed to navigate their way through crisis after crisis early in their careers to finally become the fully fleshed, close-knit, space-faring family we've come to love, all while successfully colliding with their present rebooted incarnations that have supernovaed and curved the space around it from within the perpetually-crackling mind of J.J. Abram, this movie will answer some of those questions while begging others and leaving you wanting more. A visual and action-packed tour-de-force E ticket photon torpedo ride on transwarp drive from the opening sequence to the final planet-popping credits, "Star Trek: Into Darkness" is bound to leave you feeling breathless and satisfied, all while musing it would probably be best to set another star date to see it again with a friend. See it in 3-D as I did so that those friends won't chide you later for regretting that you made a poor command decision at their expense. Live Long And Prosper. Kirk out. Neal Sperling, National Space Society, ISDC 2013 PLEASE NOTE: The opinions expressed in the above film review do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the National Space Society, the San Diego Space Society, or even Starfleet Command. But let's face it. Anyone who disagrees with me on the above is either flat out wrong, or simply an agent provocateur acting covertly to prop up the interests of the Klingon Empire. And you know how I feel about Klingons. I never met one I ever liked. And I never will."— May 17, 2013 10:20 a.m.
Pick a job picking fruit
This article had me totally excited and then totally let down. I am a farmer who is in San Marcos taking care of my mother. Picking fruit is a the perfect job for someone like me who loves farmwork but also needs money, so I eagerly looked up the website mentioned in the article (pickingjobs.com) and was immediately disheartened to see listings in just about every field besides farm labor. The only other advice on how to actually pick a job picking fruit is to use "word of mouth", but no advice on where to go or who to talk to. I would love to see some resources published for those of us who are interesting in picking a job picking fruit. - JON G— May 8, 2013 7:36 a.m.
Beer Touring: Belching Beaver Brewery
Nomenclature? Well done Mr Brandon Hernandez for finally finding the one article where we could use the word that no right sounding American would use, ever. Lord we must to forgive him, for he knows not of what he rant'th of... Timothy Clacton— February 13, 2013 5:18 p.m.
Is it OK to eat at cultish places?
Ever since I read Ed Bedford’s review of The Loving Hut filed it in the back of my mind to try it. Today, after stocking up at chocolate at Eclipse Chocolat (only the best chocolate ever!), I stopped at The Loving Hut and ordered my takeout. While waiting, I was subjected to Supreme Master Ching Hai’s videos which, thankfully, were muted. But as I realized what I was viewing, I became angry and bewildered. There, on two video screens were scenes of animal cruelty, courtesy of PETA. Do I really need to see geese being force fed to enlarge their livers? Do I really need to see what an enlarged liver looks like? Attention, Supreme Master Ching Hai: If we are in your restaurant we have already converted - or flirted - with becoming vegetarian so why are you preaching to the choir? Bedford could have mentioned this in his review. While my #43 Delight Broccoli was delish and reasonably priced, I will not be returning and subjecting myself to this “entertainment.” I have a perfectly lovely vegan restaurant in North Clairemont, Sipz, and will continue spending my hard-earned income there where there are no video screens and no goose screams. Marianne Regan— January 21, 2013 9:32 a.m.
Filner sticks to staff decision to deny Earth Day use of Balboa Park...for now
This is San Diego’s biggest free event for the environment. I am an artist. This is going to hurt my business as well as other people’s business. I think it’s detrimental to the area. Kimberly Allison Escondido— January 15, 2013 11:57 a.m.
Better Than Red-Light Cameras?
Richard Riehl writes of receiving a red light camera ticket: “It not only taught me to be more alert behind the wheel, but to pay closer attention to speed limits and amber lights." This is precisely what red light cameras are intended to accomplish and we are glad Mr. Riehl allowed this issue to be a learning experience. We recently commemorated the tenth anniversary of the death of our daughter Sarah. She was killed by a red-light runner when she was only 31 years old. Since then, it has become our mission to advocate for safety initiatives that reduce crashes and prevent needless deaths. Mr. Riehl is one example of how safety cameras are making California streets safer. Studies show after installing cameras in Sacramento and San Diego, fatal red light running crashes were reduced by more than 50%. We hope others who receive red light camera tickets will use the ticket as a reminder to slow down and be alert on the road. They just may save a life. Signed, Paul and Sue Oberhauser National Co-Chairs, Traffic Safety Coalition— January 11, 2013 2:22 p.m.
The Reader's Inbox
"Uniting the Country" was a rather strange title to the letter commenting about my 12/13 letter (voting demographics per Don Bauder). After reading this letter and reviewing my letter, I must conclude that both were inappropriate. Each focused on generalities without mentioning pertinent specifics. To begin with, I want to make it clear that I had no intention to imply that the Democrats are angels, as they have made mistakes. To begin with, President Lyndon Johnson's decision to go to war in Vietnam leads the list of Democratic blunders. Others include Representative William J. Jefferson's stashing bribery money in his freezer. On the other hand, let's consider George W. Bush's decision to invade Iraq based upon false information that he presented to Congress. About 3,500 Americans were killed and 35,000 were wounded. Over 100,000 Iraqis were killed. Bush started 2 wars and simultaneously reduced taxes. At the same time, he also suppressed financial regulation. Could these acts have had anything to do with the Great Recession? In light of the above, the Republicans continue to try to link Democrats to spending excesses, while the facts seem to point to the Republicans as big spenders. In San Diego, Republican Mayor Jerry Sanders, portrayed himself as a fiscal conservative. During his term in office he spent as follows: 1) Helped build a new central library for $180 Mil that very few residents will ever use. 2) Attempted to rebuild City Hall for $300 Mil when much less expensive alternatives were available. 3) Attempted to divert $500 Mil in redevelopment funds to the Chargers. 4) Succeeded in allocating over $100 Mil in City funds for the Convention Center expansion. Note that the economic value of this expansion is debatable. Upon leaving office, Jerry Sanders has claimed that he will be leaving the people of San Diego with a surplus. I leave you with a comparison of Jerry Sanders' projections compared to the projections supplied by the City of San Diego Independent Budget Analyst (IBA). Jerry Sanders San Diego IBA -------------- ----------------- FY 2014 $4.9 m surplus ($84.2 m) deficit FY 2016 $32.2 m surplus ($75.8 m) deficit FY 2018 $94.2 m surplus ($43.1 m) deficit Ron Harris, Scripps Ranch— December 31, 2012 9:17 a.m.