PUBLIC FORUM : ILLEGAL ALIENS SHOULDN'T HOLD POLITICAL OFFICE.Is this the age of insanity? Are members of the elected Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Charter Reform Commission out of their minds? Why should illegal aliens, common criminals and other noncitizens be considered for possible seats on neighborhood councils Neighborhood councils are governmental or non-governmental bodies composed of local people who handle neighborhood problems. They can be found in many cities throughout the world. (``Charter reformers eye role for illegal residents,'' Daily News, May 22)? What input do illegals have to offer? Will they explain how they shoehorn six families into a two-bedroom unit? Will these aliens show the commission how to bring a whole community down to Third World status in six months' time? Why should illegals be rewarded for violating U.S. laws? The only ``right'' they are entitled to is a swift deportation. The mayor, the City Council and local law enforcement officials are guilty of harboring and providing aid and comfort to these lawbreakers. These people ignore the fact that 2 million illegal aliens live in the Los Angeles area alone. This group of opportunists supports illegals. Why is this? - Robert Sennett Sylmar I am absolutely livid livid /liv·id/ (liv´id) discolored, as from a contusion or bruise; black and blue. liv·id adj. that the mere thought of illegal aliens running our country is even a question. What part of the word ``illegal'' do Erwin Chemerinsky Erwin Chemerinsky (born 1953) is a well-known professor of Constitutional law and federal civil procedure, has recently accepted a position at the University of California, Irvine, in the new Donald Bren School of Law, beginning in 2009. , a law professor, and Gloria Romero Gloria J. Romero is currently the Democratic majority leader of the California State Senate and the first woman to ever hold this leadership position. Romero grew up in Barstow, and earned her associate's degree from Barstow Community College. She went on to a B.A. , a community college district trustee, not understand? Do they need remedial reading and English? Romero doesn't bother herself with illegal immigration "Illegal alien" and "Illegal aliens" redirect here. For other uses, see Illegal aliens (disambiguation). Illegal immigration refers to immigration across national borders in a way that violates the immigration laws of the destination country. because she thinks it's a federal problem. If she's a U.S. citizen, and we the people are the federal government, it is her problem. How dare she run for state Assembly, where laws are made by U.S. citizens, and disregard U.S. immigration laws immigration laws npl → leyes fpl de inmigración immigration laws npl → lois fpl sur l'immigration immigration laws npl . - Sharon Berdine Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. More on Prop. 227 I have been following the pros and cons pros and cons Noun, pl the advantages and disadvantages of a situation [Latin pro for + con(tra) against] on Proposition 227, and I am strongly convinced that Proposition 227 must pass. They say there are 140 languages spoken by California schoolchildren schoolchildren school npl → écoliers mpl; (at secondary school) → collégiens mpl; lycéens mpl schoolchildren school . Why is the emphasis on bilingual education bilingual education, the sanctioned use of more than one language in U.S. education. The Bilingual Education Act (1968), combined with a Supreme Court decision (1974) mandating help for students with limited English proficiency, requires instruction in the native limited to Spanish-speaking children? That's all I read about. To listen to our politicians and school administrators, you would think that we are out to harm our children - utter nonsense. When I grew up in New Jersey, our cities were a mixture of minorities. Our parents came from Europe, and spoke only their language when we enrolled in school. That's when English became the only language we were taught. In my house my parents spoke Italian, but when we left each morning to go to school, it was only English. We all made it in this world, and that's how it should be. For the past 20 years or more what have we had? A corrupt school program that is costing the taxpayers millions every year and the results are abominable. This stupidity has got to stop and the only way that will happen is to vote for Proposition 227. Give it a chance to prove itself. - Johnny Rotella Van Nuys Regarding Walter Stuart's letter, ``Prop. 227's opponents,'' in Public Forum, May 24: I would like to know what teaching foreign languages to college students has to do with teaching elementary children English, especially if these children don't even know how to read and write in their own language. Instead of convincing me that bilingual education is a failure, Stuart made me realize that these college students who learn other languages do so only after they have learned their own language. If anyone is acting in a desperate fashion, I would have to say it is Stuart. Academics like him should not flaunt flaunt v. flaunt·ed, flaunt·ing, flaunts v.tr. 1. To exhibit ostentatiously or shamelessly: flaunts his knowledge. See Synonyms at show. 2. their credentials in such an irresponsible manner. - Geovanni Hernandez Oxnard This is a comment on the letter (``Bilingual education'') by Julie Kane in Public Forum, May 20. She asks all ``non-educators'': ``Who do you think you are? What gives you the right to interject in·ter·ject tr.v. in·ter·ject·ed, in·ter·ject·ing, in·ter·jects To insert between other elements; interpose. See Synonyms at introduce. your opinion into my profession, of which you know nothing?'' What arrogance. She denies my right as a citizen to participate and makes a blanket inference that all people who are not ``educational professionals'' know nothing about education. This type of arrogance seems typical of many educational establishment ``experts'' and clearly indicates a reason why so many Americans are alienated from that establishment. As a U.S. citizen and a taxpayer, I have not only a right but an obligation to take an interest in the activities of community and governmental agencies. It is also my obligation and right as a citizen to give my opinion and take actions that I believe will improve the community and nation. If Kane does not want to have to consider the public's opinion, I suggest that she find employment with a private organization. Children of immigrants will succeed in learning a new language just as they always have, children having a natural facility to acquire language. The more quickly the children acquire English, the more quickly they will begin to adapt to and absorb the information necessary for them to succeed in the American environment. - David A. Breetwor Sun Valley Godinez supported I applaud the Daily News for its balanced analysis on how the 26th Congressional District Noun 1. congressional district - a territorial division of a state; entitled to elect one member to the United States House of Representatives district, territorial dominion, territory, dominion - a region marked off for administrative or other purposes is ``fighting for survival'' and what the two main candidates bring to the table. Raul Godinez is the ``energetic, feisty campaigner'' we need. It is time for a change. - Jose Luis Ramirez
Luis Ramirez Arleta Political commercials We are constantly being reminded how privileged we are to have the opportunity to vote in free elections. After studying the current ballot for the coming primary election and watching the commercials, all I can say is that we only have the opportunity of trying to figure out who's the biggest liar, which measures are honest and which are being sneaked in under our collective noses. - Barbara Talbert Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, Trash this color I'm very disappointed in whoever made the decision to have the new bins for recycling that are now dotting our landscape an obnoxious, flaming-blue color. I believe a much wiser choice would have been a subtle shade that blends into the scenery, akin to the green and black bins. For the next decision of this nature, I strongly recommend earth tones. - Lisa Freedman Van Nuys Power and guns In your ``Portfolio'' cartoon May 24 (Steve Benson's ``Thoughts of Chairman Mao''), Mao Tse-tung is correctly quoted as saying that ``political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.'' While the cartoon alludes to the Democratic National Committee's acceptance of campaign funds from a representative of the Chinese People's Liberation Army People's Liberation Army Unified organization of China's land, sea, and air forces. It is one of the largest military forces in the world. The People's Liberation Army traces its roots to the 1927 Nanchang Uprising of the communists against the Nationalists. , I submit that there is another point that can be drawn from it. I suggest that the anti-gun hysterics hysterics /hys·ter·ics/ (his-ter´iks) popular term for an uncontrollable emotional outburst. take seriously what Chairman Mao said, and consider even more seriously what he did with that political power once he acquired it. Perhaps the lessons of history are lost on the anti-gunners. I like to think so because, if they are not, we are in far deeper trouble than we can possibly imagine. - John F. McFadyen Canoga Park Feuer's view on carrying guns In Public Forum on May 26, Los Angeles Councilman Mike Feuer took a position in support of Police Chief Bernard C. Parks' refusal to renew concealed-weapon permits, which were required as part of the settlement of a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles
Putting aside for the moment that Parks' refusal to renew the permits violates the terms of the settlement of the suit, Feuer's statement indicates he is either ignorant of the facts or is being disingenuous, to put it kindly. Peer-reviewed studies by professor John Lott John Richard Lott Jr. (born May 8 1958) is a senior research scientist at the University of Maryland, College Park[1] and has held research positions at numerous institutions, including the University of Chicago, Yale University, the Wharton School at the University of of the University of Chicago and professor Gary Kleck of the University of Florida University of Florida is the third-largest university in the United States, with 50,912 students (as of Fall 2006) and has the eighth-largest budget (nearly $1.9 billion per year). UF is home to 16 colleges and more than 150 research centers and institutes. , both acknowledged experts in their field, clearly show that firearms owned and carried by private citizens prevent anywhere from 65,000 to 1.2 million violent crimes per year. The 31 states that have passed ``shall-issue'' concealed-carry laws since Florida led the way in 1984 have lower overall violent crime rates than states that do not have such laws. Contrary to Feuer's claim, an armed society is, indeed, a polite society. If we're going to debate the issue, let's at least do so honestly. - Brian Baker Valencia Feuer applauds Parks' refusal to issue concealed-weapon permits to law-abiding citizens because, he claims, ``very few people truly meet the LAPD's standard'' for wanting to protect themselves. This is remarkable hypocrisy. In February, Feuer joined 11 other council members in voting to arm the council's own guards at a cost of $250,000 annually. No wonder he can so casually belittle be·lit·tle tr.v. be·lit·tled, be·lit·tling, be·lit·tles 1. To represent or speak of as contemptibly small or unimportant; disparage: a person who belittled our efforts to do the job right. the fear most residents have of crime. Feuer also claims research shows that weakening permit standards increases gun violence. He didn't say what he was referring to, but I am pleased he is willing to consider research. Reliable research contradicts Feuer. I don't expect Feuer to change his views, which have more to do with ideology than facts and common sense. But at least he could be honest and say he just doesn't trust law-abiding citizens to protect themselves. - Robert Harding Granada Hills CAPTION(S): 2 Photos PHOTO (1) Erwin Chemerinsky Charter reform commissioner (2) Mike Feuer |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion