Incredibly Slanted

I’m calling about the article “Deported” in your October 11 issue. Not only is it incredibly slanted, but it absolutley makes no sense, and here’s what I mean.

Elizabeth Gonzalez paid a coyote a sum of $3000 to lead her into America when she was 17. I assume she spoke Spanish. Yet, when she was deported, she said, “When I first got [to Mexico} I could not speak Spanish at all.” What? She completely lost the ability to speak Spanish in the 20 years she was here? I can see that you’d forget a lot, but not speak Spanish at all? In the interview, it said “Elizabeth’s accent is thick, but her English is good.” To me, that makes it sound like English is her second language.

So, what do we have? We have someone who came here when she was 17, couldn’t speak English. Yet, when she was deported she couldn’t speak Spanish! And now, when she speaks English she has a very thick Spanish accent. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. That’s what I mean, it’s very slanted. You have this poor person deported back to her own country, yet supposedly she can’t speak the language. As if that would stop a deportation.

I’ve got no problem with you guys writing articles about deportation, and whether it should or should not occur, but don’t slant the facts; don’t twist them. And it’s quite obvious that they were in this one.

Jim Dwyer
via voicemail

Dear U-T

In response to the U-T takeover of the North County Times (News Ticker, October 4: “North County Times Writers Quit Before Getting Fired”) and the evolution of the U-T — I’ll continue to get my best information from the Reader.

Dear U-T:

I am cancelling my subscription to the newspaper for the following reasons.

1) The front page is for news, not your owner’s personal messages about how he feels the city should be run (or advertising). This is not news; it belongs on the editorial page.

2) There seems to be less and less U-T content in terms of local articles and reporting from U-T staff. The majority of the articles are from news services like the AP and the New York Times. I can get that from Google. Then there are the numerous guest authors that seem to be a hand-picked bunch of mouthpieces that are not presenting both sides of the issues.

3) The ratio of advertising to news is higher than it ever has been. That includes the much-too-frequent promotion of the website and U-T TV. There are times when I turn the page and only see advertising on both pages of the paper.

4) I’m tired of having to unwrap the paper to get to it. Sticking the half-page wrap on the front page with a sticker to make me handle it is not a good thing. Or sticking something I want (like the comics) to the heavy paper ad for a mattress I don’t want.

5) The intentional layout to make it difficult to read the paper in any format but laid out flat. It used to be the fold was a natural division of the layout of articles. And those loose half sheets and quarter sheets are annoying; they fall out when reading.

All these indicate to me that I am viewed as just a subject for your marketing and salesmanship not as a loyal/devoted reader for 25 years.

Gary Goldberg
via email

Clear Irony

Regarding the irony of the News Ticker item, “Switch Hitter” and “Smarter Cities Richer” being on the same page (October 4). We have La Jolla billionaire and Qualcomm founder Irwin Jacobs who “donated” $2 million dollars to the super Pac supporting the president (“you didn’t build that” Obama), and our Democrat president carping at his opponent that he is rich and out of touch with the people — whomever “they” are. Why does our Democrat president attack a mere millionaire, Romney, while not attacking his excessively wealthy, billionaire supporter or, for that matter, Bill Clinton and others, such as Hollywood celebs? When you point a finger at someone, there are three others pointing at you!

“Smarter Cities Richer” lists heavily Democrat, voter-enhanced cities of San Jose, San Francisco/Oakland, Boston/Cambridge and San Diego. Washington D.C. led this roster but one could suspect income is skewed by annual/perennial interlopers, representatives, senators and their minions, and not minority residents.

After all, why would Democrat Obama send his children outside Washington D.C. public schools to a private one? D.C. schools are prevented from vouchers, which would permit parental direction (as Obama has). I’m certain that security for the president’s children would be effective! If not, how about the rest of us? Both articles beg the issue, if being a multimillionaire like Romney makes him an ideal attack subject, why not billionaire Irwin Jacobs who, according to the Reader has supported a Republican for San Diego mayor? Perhaps Mr. Jacobs has seen the light.

Quoting a UCSD “economist” is also revealing. Three of the noted smarter cities have UC campuses, and we all know how Democrat they are.

As an independent voter, I try to vote for the best people running for office, and if I don’t have enough information to vote intelligently I will not vote. It seems to me that Democrats have let us down ever so slightly. I don’t like Romney! But Democrats have proven to be anything but centrist, and unions which are heavily Democrat are totally out-of-touch with reality, except when reality is money. They’ve had their way with two — no, make that all three — branches of our government and have utterly failed. It’s time for change! But, probably, Obama doesn’t want to use his hackneyed call to arms.

Thanks to the Reader for presenting a clear, ironic, publication.

A constitutional centrist,
Fred J. Crowe

Keep Cuff Alive

I’ve been reading the Reader for over eight years and have always enjoyed the Off the Cuff interviews, but in the last year or so I’ve noticed a decline in its presence. I’m applying for the job if there is an opening. I’m a people person and talk to strangers everywhere I go, sometimes annoying my wife and kids! I will be prompt and meet deadlines always. Just asking for a chance to prove myself and keep a part of the Reader alive. I have a reliable car, camera and computer.

Luke Girling
via email

Busy, Busy KGB

This is regarding the music article titled “Homegrown” by Dave Good, August 16.

There are many San Diegans who grew up listening to 101 KGB-FM throughout the 1970s and beyond. Rock DJs Jim McInnes (who joined KGB-FM in 1974) and Jeff Prescott (in August 1975) are legendary. They were the voice of reason, charm, and personality, including real passion, working and representing KGB-FM. There were there at the right time. Even as a 13-year-old kid, I could relate to their sense of humor and the topics of the day. They could really make the younger KGB listeners feel good about themselves and, just as important, they would play pure rock music, classic ’60s and current ’70s, as rock was evolving into progressive heavy rock. KGB also took pride in their anti-disco movement. I always felt a connection with 101 KGB-FM as a rock station. They did everything right on. They seemed to cater to your needs, especially as the 1970s were developing and changing before your eyes. It was great to be a teenager.

The Homegrown albums were the first of their kind, making their debut in October of 1973, courtesy of 101-KGB. Profits from album sales went to the United Way of San Diego. The song that started it all was titled “Chula Vista,” written by Dougl Drill. The band was Rose and the Arrangements. Other song favorites were “Spring Valley Sally” on Homegrown 1, recorded by Montezuma’s Revenge, and “Black’s Beach,” by the Island (written by Barry Fox), “Logan Avenue Blues,” by Good News (written by J. Noone and Ted Picor), “Gypsies from Bonsall,” by Larry Weir, “Dago from Diego” and “I Can See the Point,” performed by Pete Filacio and the Fantasy Band (who just happens to be my uncle, by the way, and knows Jim McInnes). Yes, indeed, the Homegrown albums are legendary and are very important to San Diego history.

I would like to include the KGB Chicken, who was hatched in the spring of 1974, and performed with Elvis Presley in concert in 1976. Also, at the Sports Arena in 1976, the KGB chicken was jailed for disturbing the peace at an Aerosmith concert. He is mostly known for his humourous acts during the Padres games, even though he would leave KGB before 1980 and become “The Chicken,” his trademark design, not KGB’s, though he still performed throughout the 1980s. In fact, the chicken was rehatched out of a giant egg at a Padres game — I believe in 1984. To most San Diegans, he will forever be known as the KGB chicken. That is, if you grew up with him.

Last, but not least, what sets KGB apart from all the rest is the spectacular KGB sky shows. They were the first to broadcast live and have synchronized rock music with a massive fireworks display, this nostalgic tradition belonging to San Diego since April of 1976. Anyone who ever attended a rock concert and KGB sky show combined at the stadium will always remember how epic it was. The atmosphere was a rare sight to behold. As the day turned into night, it was a never-ending party for 60,000 concert-goers inside the stadium, including the grass playing field that turned into a sea of people — a scenario you could never forget. Also, the parking lot was transformed into party central, the apex of all parties, a place where you had the freedom to barbecue, bring your own coolers of ice-cold beer (kegs included), hang out with people you just met and share food, drink and nice stories. It’s incredible how a stadium parking lot can offer everlasting memories.

In conclusion, even though times have changed, the sky shows continue to be spectacular. Take part in San Diego tradition and nostalgia, courtesy of 101 KGB-FM.

Tony A. Metal
Spring Valley

Oh, You White People

I’m calling about your article “Afro Puffs” from July 12. I also find it very offensive. I have three very beautiful black girls — women. Two of them are married, one of them to a very well-off, rich white man; one of them to a very well-off black man. I have another black daughter, and she’s very well wanted by everybody. I have a sister married to a white man.

Whoever put that in the newspaper must have been talking about themselves, because there’s a lot of us black women who are wanted by a lot of men. These black men who are taken by mistake by whites and Hispanics, it’s only for their money. When they wake up to see what’s really happening, they’ll be smart.

That was very wrong to put that in your article. I know a lot of you white people and you Mexicans don’t like black women because you feel that we’re inferior to you. But we aren’t. We’re more upstanding than you guys. Somebody had to really be hating on us to put that in there. To the white person that put that in there, why don’t you show your face? You’re not as beautiful as you think. Black don’t crack. By the time you turn 60, you’re going to look like bullshit. Black women look very beautiful when they’re in their 60s, 70s, and 80s, and you guys are going to look like bullshit.

When you start putting down black women, you need to think twice. We’re very well-educated, ok? We’re not going to have that from you white people going on and on and on about disgracing us and discarding us. Take another look at yourself. We’re just as beautiful as you white people are. So, stop with the bullshit.

Name Withheld
via voicemail