a crying politician and more On marine rules

a crying politician and more On marine rules: Angler welcomes marine legislation


In response to “State set to expand offshore reserves” (Dec. 15), about the decision by the California Fish and Game Commission to expand coastal marine reserves: I’m a fourth-generation San Diego native and a biologist. I grew up fishing in Point Loma and continue to kayak-fish there. My stepdad was a commercial tuna fisherman in San Diego.

My grandfather fished the abundant waters of Ensenada in the 1940s and still tells the tales. I attempt to fish there now, but unfortunately there are no fish. Lack of regulation and a mentality of “take it all now” for immediate gain have reduced to the fishery to rubble.

I don’t want to see that happen here. As a fisherman, scientist and citizen, I am willing to give a little ground for the fish to live out their life cycles and increase their numbers.

Myles Traphagen

Point Loma
Tiny homes may not be big here

I read with interest “Little boxes on the hillside now popular” (Business, Dec. 16), about the Small House Society and tiny living units in Northern California.

If I were single, I’m sure I could adapt to such minuscule quarters. However, I’d be surprised if there were any residential parcels in the city or county of San Diego that would allow such an itty-bitty home to serve as one’s permanent address. The only sites I have ever seen were very old, nearly-as-tiny-houses that had been refurbished, but I’m certain local building codes would disallow the new construction of a structure so small.


Steve Eaton

Carlsbad
GOP stalls treaty

“Military disputes GOP on treaty” (Dec. 17) tells readers all they need to know about Republican partisan intentions. According to the article, even top U.S. military leaders are urging passage of this new arms treaty with Russia. It has also been endorsed by George H.W. Bush, Condoleezza Rice and almost every other former secretary of state under Republicans or Democrats. It seems that the only people opposed to this treaty are Senate Republicans.

These treaties have been passed with more than 85 Senate votes every time they have come up. But now it is impossible to get 67 votes? There is only one reason – politics. If the treaty is signed, President Obama gets a win, and the Republicans can’t let that happen. “Just say ‘no’ ” worked in the 2010 elections; why not keep up that strategy? Shame on Senate Republicans for doing it, and shame on us for falling for it.

Pamela Vogel

Chula Vista
Freeway alternatives

In response to “Getting from here to the future on I-5” (Editorial, Dec. 17): Why not double-deck existing freeways? After all, the land is available, bought and paid for.

Harlow D. Ingalls

Santee

Instead of investing in more lanes that many don’t want and inconvenient mass transit that only those who won’t have to use it support, we could build a system where the roads and vehicles communicate to maximize traffic flow.

Imagine a system in which once entering the freeway your vehicle goes on autopilot, merging your vehicle into a stream of closely traveling vehicles. You could read, text or chat on the phone until you are automatically and efficiently funneled off the freeway, where you again take control of your vehicle on surface roads to get to your destination.

I believe our highways are capable of handling much more traffic once the problem of human drivers is removed. Even without major changes in engine technology, we would see a significant increase in fuel economy when all vehicles are drafting bumper to bumper at the optimum speed. Instead of using the billions of dollars to construct additional inefficient freeway lanes, we could invest in upgrading the infrastructure and subsidizing new vehicles to utilize the enhanced system.

It’s difficult to believe that we don’t have the ability to build a system that would give us the best of both worlds – some of the advantages of mass transit while maintaining the use of our automobiles at both ends of the freeway commute.

John Eberst

San Diego
Boehner’s tears flow

In his recent column, “Boehner is about to be crier of the House of Reps” (North County, Dec. 16), Logan Jenkins is correct in his assessment of Boehner’s crocodile tears and the others of his ilk who would deny today’s youth their future in order to support billionaires, corporate profits and stock portfolios that do not benefit the next generation. How can Boehner types “cry” about “unfair” policies that they espouse for their own political purposes? May Boehner find some common wisdom and ethics that will share the American dream with tomorrow’s youth, but habits die hard! Stealing from the future by using unpaid-for “tax cuts” and complaining about deficits are something to cry about.

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