More ocean exploration needed; support for SeaWorld

Ocean exploration is the greater frontier

Thank you, U-T San Diego, for focusing attention in a major article on our ocean (“Research tracks patterns of ocean animals,” Dec. 27).

I have been a follower of Scripps Institution of Oceanography most of my life. Dr. Roger Revelle was a bright beacon of things to come.

There was also Jacque Cousteau and, of course, “Sea Hunt.” All promised a focus on the study of the sea around us.

Then came that damn Sputnik and billions flowed to a vague space program, instead of exploring our seas that are right here and now and need attention.

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  San Diego Union-Tribune
  P.O. Box 120191
  San Diego, CA 92112-0191.

San Diego’s fleet of sea exploration boats come and go with little publicity where the space program seems to be in every broadcast.

Does anyone have an answer of how to direct those billions being spent on long-range plans for space exploration to the desperate here and now of our ocean?

John J. Ireland
Imperial Beach

Let’s show SeaWorld we appreciate it

Those of us who believe in SeaWorld (“San Diego could lose iconic attractions,” Dec. 19) must begin speaking out.

As a mother, grandmother, teacher and nature educator, I have seen firsthand the effects on children who interact with live animals.

No picture, book or video will make them care about and want to care for these animals like that face-to-face encounter.

It would be wonderful if we all had the means to go see them in the wild, but we do not.

For many of the low-income children I taught, a field trip to SeaWorld was their only glimpse of these creatures. Only SeaWorld, through its many discount programs, offers this opportunity to so many in our community.

Let SeaWorld know that we appreciate and will support it.

Nancy Sunday
San Diego

Holiday pay concerns all can be mitigated

The alleged “big problems” with Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez’s proposed double time on holidays cited by Robert Jackson (“Big problem with holiday pay plan,” Dec. 27) are the product of his big imagination.

Which holidays would count? The ones that are “legal” holidays under California state law.

Would double time apply to everyone? No, only those eligible for overtime under current state labor laws. Would the state fine those companies that then stay closed on holidays? No, because they would not be violating the law.

Would the state force those companies that stay open to raise prices to cover their additional costs? No, the prices that companies charge are their business.

Peter Zschiesche
San Diego

The GOP should keep Bush off the ticket

Polls show Jeb Bush is leading the pack for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016. If nominated, it will once again lead to political suicide for Republicans.

Regardless of how one feels about the Bush family, this country will not elect another Bush.

I am sure Democrats are secretly rooting for Jeb so they can be assured another presidential win.

Fred J. Heske
Alpine

You give fracking far too much credit

Despite the glowing support by the U-T editorial (“ Fracking drives U.S. economic rebound,” Dec. 27) for fracking, the reality is that fracking is a toxic, dirty technology that pollutes California water and air.

Fracking is not even economically viable with dropping oil prices.

Given all the negatives, giving credit to fracking for an economic rebound is bad analysis, bad economics and bad for the health of all Californians.

James Long
El Cajon

Where is the outrage over this action?

So Human Rights Watch and the ACLU want a special prosecutor to look into the actions of the Bush administration (“Investigation of CIA torture urged,” Dec. 24) in regard to “torture.”

When will these smug, self-righteous organizations also call for a special prosecutor to look into the actions of the Obama administration in regard to “Fast and Furious”?

Of course we’re not talking about “torture,” but about violating the sovereignty of another nation by arming its criminal element, which resulted in the death of two U.S. agents and more than 200 Mexican citizens.

If North Korea’s hacking of Sony is an “act of war,” what was “Fast and Furious”?

Once again, hypocritical, liberal organizations show their outrage is highly selective.

Dan Shapiro
Oceanside

Myth about gun show sales needs some debunking

Regarding “No one is training these new gun owners,” (Dec. 29): All firearms purchases and transfers, including private party transactions and sales at gun shows, must be made through a licensed dealer under the Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) process.

California imposes a 10- day waiting period before a firearm can be released to a buyer or transferee. A person must be at least 18 years of age to purchase a rifle or shotgun.

To buy a handgun, a person must be at least 21 years of age and either possess a Handgun Safety Certificate (HSC) plus successfully complete a safety demonstration with the handgun being purchased or qualify for an HSC exemption.

As part of the DROS process, the buyer must present “clear evidence of identity and age,” which is defined as a valid, non-expired California driver’s license or identification card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

You just cannot walk into a swap meet or gun show and buy a weapon and walk out.

Thomas Gattegno
Fallbrook

Who decides which of the holidays matter most?

Regarding “Double pay for the holiday just makes sense” (Dec. 25): Not all workers are Christians; not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving (see Americans, Native).

If extra compensation “makes sense” for those who have to work but also observe Thanksgiving and Christmas as “family holidays,” doesn’t it also “make sense” that Muslims, Jews and Wiccans should also be doubly compensated when they have to work on their “family holidays”?

Not to mention those who have to work on the “family holidays” of Memorial Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

Or, as an alternative to Ms. Gonzalez’s bald play to her base, we could do what has been done for any number of years — swap with those who don’t observe those days or make alternative plans.

John F. (Jack) Riley
Chula Vista

Too much talk disrupts our intelligence efforts

So David Ignatius (“Wary allies in Iraq,” Dec. 30) wants to have a public conversation about how the U.S. and its allies might undermine the world-destroying goals of the various Islamic entities now known as “ISIS”? Oh, let’s not.

If such a campaign existed, it would be less effective, possibly ruined, by public disclosure. Unless he wants to read about something as it happens in The New York Times, followed shortly thereafter by the kill count in various privately held blogs, he should simply avoid speculation.

The rule of thumb about intelligence operations is to talk about them after they are over and the threat to our participants is dissipated. If he wants to write about spy-vs-spy topics, he should choose a topic no later than the Stuxnet variety. Confusion to our enemies.

Valerie Looper
San Diego

GOP seems to be drifting from its core values

I’ve grown up believing that the Republican Party is strongly pro-defense and national security, pro-business and focuses on family values.

Apart from the issue of being ordered by one person, why is the content of the immigration executive order bad for Republican voters? Recent GOP-backed proposals for 2015: purposely giving less funding to the Department of Homeland Security. What? Making it harder, not easier, for many small and large businesses to hire great talent that would otherwise be granted visas in lagging sectors. That’s good for business? Weakening mixed-immigration status families like mine by using the word “amnesty” like an immigrant version of the N-word instead of actually addressing how to value U.S. families and live out traditional moral values like “caring for the immigrant.”

Now I’m just confused. If not security, business or family-oriented, who do you care for, GOP?

Jamie Rau Herrera
San Diego

Glad NFL stepped up with domestic violence videos

Domestic violence is something that no one truly understands until going through the horrifying experiences.

As a survivor of domestic violence, I am proud to write about the NFL’s effort to promote domestic violence awareness.

I remember trembling with anger after watching that Ray Rice video back in September. Finally, after this month’s debut of the video called “No more,” I am happy to see that the NFL has actually made an effort to show that it is against domestic violence.

The cast of the video was made up of NFL players (like Antonio Gates) speaking out against domestic violence and it was strategic and impactful. I hope that my favorite statement from the video — “Why doesn’t she just leave?” — makes people who question victims shut their mouths because it is not that simple.

Like I said, no one understands the manipulation of an abuser unless he or she has experienced it themselves. I want to thank the NFL for bringing those questions to light. Domestic violence survivors appreciate the league’s efforts.

Heather Cristobal
San Diego

Thoughts on seals and plans for a new stadium

The “Mr. Faulconer, tear down this wall” letter written by William Lyons was to the point.

The wall was built to form a “children’s pool,” Let’s respect the intentions of the giver.

May I extend “kudos” to Dorwyn Turnbull, referencing the “new stadium.”

Let’s quit building and asking questions later. Parking is the first priority of consideration when thinking about changing the location of the “new stadium.” We have the perfect location now. To the City Council, I also say use your heads, please.

Shirley Leonard
El Cajon

Anti-North Korea movie was a hostile act

Dehumanizing your enemy by name-calling and poking fun at him is a traditional act of “war.”

The forgoing method was used extensively World War II by both the Allies and the Axis.

Therefore, North Korea has the right to consider the movie “The Interview” to be an act of a “Cold War.”

Harold Cohn
Santee

Letters and commentary policy

The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy.

• E-mail letters@sduniontribune.com
• Mail: Andrew Kleske, Reader Outreach Editor
  San Diego Union-Tribune
  P.O. Box 120191
  San Diego, CA 92112-0191.