LETTERS TO L.A. LIFE\Disabled veteran wants apology from Brokaw.

This is in regard to Tom Brokaw's remarks on his Jan. 25 newscast on the fleecing of America by veterans of World War II at the Veterans Hospital. I feel that Brokaw owes an apology to the many and all veterans of World War II, Vietnam, Korea. He should be informed that disabled veterans are not freeloaders, which is what Brokaw hinted at.

For the record, I am a life member of the Disabled American Veterans. I go to the V.A. Hospital for checkup, medicine. Why? Because as a member of the D.A.V. I qualify. I was in World War II in the 503rd Parachute Infantry. Yes, like many, I have a handicap, and do not seek charity. Many veterans who are disabled are grateful that some help is offered for services rendered. Yes, Tom, you owe all handicapped and disabled veterans a public apology.

- John R. Finnigan

Antelope Valley 

Peanut butter remark has Rosenthal in a pickle

Phil Rosenthal states in his (Jan. 24) column, "New Odd Couple: Tammy, Jim J.," that their new show "is not too different from peanut butter and pickle sandwiches ... it's a brave soul who would dare try it. And what kind of a person would put them together in the first place?" I'm not sure if Rosenthal's implication suggests someone who is a bit dotty or just someone who is willing to try something out of the ordinary.

I am a senior citizen and I started eating peanut butter and dill pickle sandwiches as a teen-ager. Rosenthal's column made me so hungry, I promptly went to the kitchen, made and enjoyed said sandwich. So, as the old saying goes, "Don't knock it if you haven't tried it!" Try it, you just might like it!

- Betty Heckendorn

Simi Valley

'Sibling's' political tone not comical to reader

Several years ago when I began reading the comic strip "Sibling Revelry," the strip's subject matter was exactly what the title implies: vignettes in the life of a brother and sister.

Over the course of the last year or so the strip began occasionally inserting a panel that had nothing to do with "siblings" or "revelry," but rather contained subject matter that was political in nature. Recently, I have noticed that this sort of subject matter has become almost the norm.

What does political partisanship and first-lady bashing have to do with a strip about siblings? Is this subject matter something that elementary schoolchildren would really talk about?

I wholeheartedly applaud your inclusion of such exemplary strips as "One Big Happy," "For Better or Worse" and "Family Circus." These strips accurately portray families, their lives and values. Perhaps the Daily News should consider moving the strip to where it belongs: the opinion/editorial pages. Better yet, eliminate it from your paper altogether.

- Diana Hanna

Simi Valley