Andy Bear Grills Barker

The American Robin is a member of the thrush family while the European robin belongs to the flycatcher family.

Quatro bad for algo?

So, it’s nice that you mention local bands sometimes in “Local Five” (Local Five, February 9) — but, for example, recently “Quatro” was mentioned — but there is no indication of if or when they might ever put on a show... That particular band has a bad name if they ever want to be able to be found on Youtube (=~ mandatory for any “up and coming band” to upload videos of them playing)... but the name has to be searchable (Quatro is particularly bad name for that).

If a band is worth mentioning, one would presume it's so readers could find out how to listen to them – right? So, maybe do something more about that in the column? OR why mention them if they have no music online or gigs coming up?

• Steve Votaw
• Solana Beach

Wrong robin

I’m glad you mentioned the large numbers of American Robins, as their recent invasion is highly unusual (“Manzanitas bloom, American Robins head west, measure trees”, Outdoors, February 16). However, you printed a picture of the wrong species. It would be helpful to the reader, who may be seeing these birds in their neighborhoods, to post an American Robin, not a European one. Feel free to reach out for your bird identification needs at any time.

• Jennifer
• Oceanside

Typo or no?

Interesting typo (I guess it’s a typo) from the cover story of the Feb 15th issue (“Midlife Mountain”, Cover Story, February 16). “It didn’t help that my sister, who was just 19 months older than me, had recently secured her hoity-toity dream job with Amazon up in Seattle. She was climbing the corporate leader, wowing everyone she met.” I’m sure HR addressed the situation.

• Howard Labow
• Rancho Penasquitos

The political divide in the United States has been growing steadily over the last few years, to the point where it’s shattering longtime friendships and even tearing apart families.

Getty Images / Delpixart

More Stumping for Trump

Thank God for Vic Santos in Lakeside and A Proud Conservative in San Marcos! (“Trump 2024”, Letters, February 23) President Donald Trump was the best president in my lifetime, with Ronald Reagan a close second. He loves this country and ran for office to help save it. He took not a dollar in compensation, his entire salary donated to charity, in stark contrast to the current occupant of the WH. The installed president has enriched himself on the backs of the American taxpayers for a half a century. He has undone much of the good Trump managed to accomplish in four short years while under constant attack and sabotage, from his known enemies as well as inner circle traitors.

I also greatly admire him for being the first POTUS to attend the March for Life in Washington DC. Trump Derangement Syndrome is like a major personality disorder, as resistant to treatment as it is rational explanation. I have yet to encounter a Trump hater who can intelligently, and factually articulate a reason for the obsessive hatred.

I don’t buy the story of the guy who claims his lifelong friend called him the “N” word, it didn’t ring true at all. In my personal experience, Trump haters have extended their venom to me as a proud supporter. At my last workplace the bullies were taking pictures of my car (Trump 2020 license plate frame) and ridiculing me behind my back.

Funny how the freeways were being obstructed in 2016 when Trump “unexpectedly” beat the unlikeable Hillary Clinton, who as I recall had a hard time conceding to the messiah Obama back in 2008. There were no lootings, rioting, standing on the I-5 like a pack of rabid and confused wild dogs, or in general throwing tantrums. I endured 12 years of Clinton and Obama. It was my turn to be happy when President Trump won. And he won again in 2020, and his detractors know it. Which is why they continue to obsess over him and hate him for no reason.

Biden was demonstrably a racist, particularly in his younger years, mentored by KKK Senator Byrd of WV. He opposed school busing and didn’t want his kids’ schools integrated. He mocked India immigrants in PA in 2004, I heard it on the radio myself.

I have been following politics since I was 13 years old, and I’m a PA native. Joe Biden has never had a good reputation, and he was a mediocre politician at his best.

I am a proud Trump supporter and am not ashamed to showcase it. Whoever doesn’t want to associate with me, relative, co-worker, or false friend, that is fine. I have never held it against anyone that they voted for the worst presidential candidate in American history despite the fact that it has raised my cost of living, deeply cut into my retirement accounts, and made it overall much harder for those of us who actually work for everything we have as he has expanded programs for the slothful and the takers.

But I have been unfriended and “canceled” for openly supporting Trump as well as vocally opposing abortion. President Trump is still my president!

• Lagertha Gunderson
• Chula Vista