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Letters to the editor: Feb. 14, 2013

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Lessons from Twin Peaks

As parents, let’s remember all of our children are capable of dumb pranks. Unfortunately, this 12-year-old’s email threat was very serious, and thankfully the Poway authorities moved in quickly.

Let’s use this recent event as a teaching moment. Now is the time for all parents, especially those with guns in the house, to talk about gun violence, responsibility, how to deal with emotional problems, bullying, etc. Every day we should “parent up,” connect with our kids and other parents. By doing this, we can keep Poway safe for all.

Jocelyn Scott,

Poway

Writer was a victim

I have to write regarding last week’s column by Amy Roost.

Amy, you are in no way responsible for getting raped; the scumball who raped you is. You could have been stark naked and he still would have had no right to rape you. You were the victim just like those children at Newtown. The guy who raped you had used a knife and a part of his anatomy as his weapons of choice just as the killer in Newtown chose to use guns. Workers at rape crisis centers would probably cringe when you stated that you were partially responsible.

All men and boys need to know they have no right to use their body as a weapon. All women and girls need to know that no man or boy has a right to use you as his victim and prey.

Kathleen Chavez, Poway

A brighter future ahead

I nominate columnist Dick Lyles for the title of world’s most pessimistic man. I am continually amazed at Mr. Lyles’ jaundiced view of our country, our leaders, our politics, our morals, our schools, our diversity, and even our young people or, more precisely, our own sons and daughters.

It seems that any path other than the one Mr. Lyles has traveled to his own view of success, or any lifestyle other than the one he has chosen to live, is inferior, morally corrupt, intellectually deficient, not worthy of respect, and doomed to failure. That is simply rubbish.

For my part, I chose to stand with those who look to and work for a bright future. I chose to stand with my own daughters — 25, 23 and 20 years old, all of whom came of age in very tough times, in the aftermath of 9/11, in a time of war, in a time of harsh and polarized politics, in the worst recession since the Great Depression; and all of whom are working hard to educate themselves and build successful, independent lives; all of whom are energetic and excited about their futures; and, all of whom, most importantly, view the world and this country with optimism and excitement for what lies ahead. And it’s not just my own kids. Their friends and peers — your children — are no different.

Sorry, Mr. Lyles, I choose to stand with them and their energy and optimism, and not with you and your truly exhausting pessimism.

Jim Crosby, Poway

Lyles wrong about single moms

In his Feb. 7 column, Dick Lyles, our favorite old fart, said, “although some single moms perform heroically and raise healthy kids prepared to face the challenges of adulthood, most don’t.”

Dick, you do not back this up and I believe most reasoning adults believe you are wrong.

In the first place, this is not a new problem. I’m nearly 70. I was, in part, raised by a single mom. Three of my best friends from childhood were raised by single moms. One of my three friends was raised by her grandparents. The other two were raised by their divorced or never-married mothers.

My friends now have six children among them, most with college education, good successful careers, happy children. The friend who had the most challenged childhood has had possibly the most successful career. While raising her own child, she got her GED, then a bachelor’s degree, then a master’s in biology, and is a published poet. Another friend is the beloved wife of a pastor, mother of two, grandmother of five. The last, the one raised by grandparents, is mother of three, grandmother of four.

I want to know, Mr. Lyles, where you got your egregious “most do not.” This is offensive to all who have had this tough road to hoe. This is, by the way, a road which you, nor any of your gender, will know anything about.

Kate Baker Tilton, Poway

Letters appearing only in the News Journal:

What’s taken so long?

The new laws of gun control are a topic that could have been put into play a long time ago.

I know all of these mass shootings have been happening recently, but there have also been multiple shootings like these in the past. Why haven’t we taken control on this earlier?

This topic is very controversial because lots of people have opinions that differ. The government and politicians need to at least take some people’s thoughts into consideration before making a final decision.

Yet, I think it is right for only some weapons to be illegal or legal and for only certain people to obtain certain weapons. It only makes sense because if the wrong guns fall into the wrong hands, it could all go downhill.

Nicolas Ballecer, Carmel Mountain Ranch

Likes Facebook page

Regarding the Jan. 31 story “Police putting crime updates on new Facebook page”:

Crimes have increased and searching for ways to solve it has become harder, so I think this is a useful way to use Facebook since everyone is on it. This way people in our community will be informed so we can take precautions and at least try to avoid all these crimes. I just ask for it to be realistic and completely honest so I know what’s going on around my community so my family and I can find ways to protect ourselves.

Lore Barrera, Rancho Bernardo

New mayor a ‘bully’

Regarding the article in the Feb. 7 News Journal concerning the delay in repairing the concession stand in Rancho Bernardo Community Park. There is no way city workers can do the job for free.

All you need to know about Filner is to have read the editorials in the newspapers that have been written about him. Filner has been on the government dole almost for his entire working career and was a congressman for the last 20 years or so. We all know how ineffective Congress has been and I believe their current approval rating is about 14 percent.

He was a bully in Congress and has continued his behavior since becoming mayor. He has had several confrontations with the City Council so nothing he does, or will do, will surprise me.

Jim King, Rancho Bernardo

Letters appeared only in the News Chieftain:

Enjoy view while it lasts

The Feb. 5 City Council meeting brought about the end to the hillside MDRA. This 28-year-old ordinance was of one the last bastions that kept what remains of the hillsides and hilltops in Poway relatively unencumbered by housing developments.

The hillside MDRA guidelines contained numerous subjectively interpretable criteria and the elected City Council provided the last checkpoint to make sure no one was pulling a fast one.

This process used to be a conversation between developers, their ex-city staff facilitators (well paid for their knowledge of how to game the rules), the younger city staff, and the elected City Council. Now all that remains between an unchecked hilltop housing explosion is an overwhelmed, undermanned and outmaneuvered city staff.

To add insult to injury, this decision by the City Council (3-2) raises a $700 barrier that effectively eliminates potentially impacted resident’s input in these types of projects. This is your new cost to petition your elected government, on these types of developments, to hear your voice on issues that matter to you. The time when you could see the details of a project five weeks in advance, and let the City Council know your opinion, are over. Replaced with an insurmountable fee and 10 days after the staff’s decision for a fruitless and technical appeal.

So take note, and the time, to enjoy your views of the hills, what little remains of them, as they surely will not be there for your children.

Peter De Hoff, Poway

Titan fans are the best

I just wanted to express my gratitude toward our Poway High School Titans basketball fans. Every Wednesday and Friday night those kids are at the games cheering on the Titans no matter what. They are the most committed fans I’ve seen or heard in a long time.

My only concern is the administration doesn’t see it that way. I really wish they would see what amazing kids we have in Poway. I don’t support rude sports behavior by any means, as a matter of fact I’m that crazy mom that feels bad when the other team is losing. Although, I do support “good clean fun.” Each week the students make signs for particular players and wave them proud. They are respectful and fun. It’s infectious to be in the gym. PHS basketball coaches must just love it. I know the other parents do as well as the players.

Please PHS administration, these are awesome kids and we should all be proud these kids are a part of our school and community. I know I am. I know I’m proud that they spend their Friday nights at PHS gym rather than running the streets smoking and drinking and doing things they shouldn’t.

Go Titans!

Amanda Newby, Poway

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