Bombs away for don’t ask, don’t tell
I think it is high time that we San Diegans let our Congress members know that we will no longer tolerate discrimination in the armed services. The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law is federally sanctioned discrimination. The very idea that one’s sexual orientation will prevent them from defending this country is hateful and ridiculous!
In San Diego County, both Congress members Susan Davis and Bob Filner have signed on to support the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, a bill which will replace “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” with a policy of nondiscrimination. The same type of bill has been passed in Great Britain and Australia without any negative effects to troop readiness or unit cohesion.
We need to let Congress members Brian Bilbray, Darrell Issa and Duncan Hunter know that we expect them to support the rights of ALL Americans by supporting the Military Readiness Enhancement Act when it is reintroduced in Congress.
Ken St. Pierre, Normal Heights

Epidemic of callous disregard
I can hardly contain the outrage I feel about Gov. Schwarzenegger’s callous disregard for the suffering of California’s least privileged residents. As governor, it is his job to protect the welfare of ALL the people of this state. Tax money is not his to withhold from families in need.
After indulging in an obscene multi-million-dollar inauguration gala, our governor has the gall to recommend taking money from welfare families to pay for healthcare to poor children. There is a total lack of sanity and conscience in his proposal. There seems to be an epidemic of callous disregard and pathological indifference among some of the richest and most powerful elected officials, Bush and Schwarzenegger among them.
We the People need to remind them that they are our servants, not our masters. And if they continue, we should take legal steps to boot them out of office for violating their oath of office.
Tanja Winter, La Jolla

Dog’s life gets better in 2007
The new year is a brighter one for dogs and a safer one for people, thanks to the passage of SB 1578, a new law ending the practice of keeping dogs on chains as a primary means of confinement. Beginning Jan. 1, people are no longer able to keep dogs chained to trees, posts, stakes or other objects for more than three hours.
It is for good reason that the law was enacted. It has been documented that dogs that are permanently chained are more likely to be aggressive toward people, and almost three times more likely to bite than unchained dogs. And dogs who spend their lives in this manner suffer greatly. They are generally neglected and receive little companionship, socialization or veterinary attention. Some strangle when their chains become tangled and some fall victim to predators. Some endure long periods of exposure to the elements, often unable to reach food and water.
People who care about the well-being of man’s best friend are thankful to Senator Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) for authoring the bill, and to the California Animal Association for sponsoring it. California is the first state to take such a strong stand on this cruel practice, and because of SB 1578, citizens now have the power to increase both animal welfare and public safety by reporting cases of extended dog chaining to local animal control authorities.
Jane Cartmill, Encinitas

Animal legislation report card
Among the news laws taking effect this year is one prohibiting tethering dogs for over three hours.
It’s too bad there are people who made the law necessary, but we can be proud that our state legislators, Assemblywoman Lori Saldana and Sen. Chris Kehoe, voted for the bill. In fact, Kehoe and Saldana each scored a perfect grade of “A” on animal legislation, according to PAW PAC. To see the complete “report card” of all legislators, see www.pawpaw.org.
Bill Collins, Pacific Beach