PUBLIC FORUM : NO COVER-UP.

Your Sept. 30 story about American troops killing South Korean civilians early in the defensive war against brutal Communist invaders implied that there was an official ``cover-up'' of news about it.

Actually, such tragic mistakes were so well-known that one was depicted in a 1952 movie, ``One Minute to Zero,'' starring Robert Mitchum. Though fiction, the film accurately showed North Korean soldiers using helpless men, women and children as human shields who were caught in a deadly cross fire.

But the Communists routinely murdered captured civilians and U.N. troops - mostly Americans. That was in addition to their use of torture and ``brainwashing.''

It's understandable that survivors of this terrible blunder are seeking redress for their suffering and loss of loved ones. But it's important to remember that they and the tens of thousand of American casualties were part of the price the free world paid to resist a Communist war of aggression which continues to this day.

- Bill Starr

Burbank

Divide it equally

The president recently vetoed an $800 billion tax cut, claiming it was excessive, and besides most of the money would go to the wrong people - the rich who do not need more riches. The rich claim they pay most of the tax, therefore they should get more back. I say the rich get more wealth out of this country, so it's only fair that they pay more taxes.

There are about 250 million citizens in this country. If the government wants to give $800 billion back to the people, I say lets divide it equally among all the U.S. citizens. That would come to $320 a year every year for the next ten years, for every man woman and child who is a U.S. citizen. This is a plan that would help everyone equally. The poor would love this. The rich would say it's communistic.

- Stan Niedwicki

Woodland Hills

No accountability

Your editorial ``Contaminated district'' (Sept. 30) is right on target. Accountability is nonexistent in all areas of government. Until we learn how to investigate and fire people who exercise bad judgment or are dishonest, we will never be free from Belmont-type scandals. Bad work ignored and even rewarded will breed more of the same.

I'm not sure what the solution is, but oversight seldom seems to work. I do think that department heads must be held accountable for all that happens in their department. Part of the solution may be to resolve the tug-of-war that takes place between managers and department heads who are appointed, and bureaucrats who can make those managers look ineffective when they are opposed.

- Burton Becker

Encino

Confused

Let me see if I've got this right. The second amendment allows me to protect myself by owning a gun. I decide to use the gun to harm someone because I decide that I want to. Then I do and the victim sues the gun manufacturer - this is logical! Have the courts all gone crazy? Oh, I forgot, the attorneys need more business. What's next, sue the car and cutlery manufacturers?

- Marlene Walker

Burbank

He should read more

Re Pat Buchanan and Hitler:

Had Buchanan read ``The Rise and the Fall of the Third Reich'' and ``The Nightmare Years'' by William L. Shirer, who was an American correspondent in Germany until Pearl Harbor, he would know better.

Shirer was one of the first journalists after the end of World War II to be authorized to examine the vast amount of documents in the basement of the charred ``Reichstag.''

There he found ample evidence that Hitler was not only interested in the vast supply of oil, coal, industrial installations, etc., but also of the immense territory in Russia, which he called ``lebensraum'' for German settlements.

He found evidence of plans to invade the USA, which for him was the archenemy and the plan included the killing of President Franklin Roosevelt and his financial adviser who was Jewish. Most influential politicians and senators would be transported to German concentration camps. Buchanan still could read it and change his rhetoric.

- Kurt Bukofzer

Pacific Palisades 

Riding Reagan's wave

Re ``Real Reagan'' (Public Forum, Sept. 30):

Seeing that silly letter about Ronald Reagan's ``socially destructive policies'' appear in your paper left me quite puzzled. Puzzled because I was wondering how anyone could consider Reagan socially destructive after looking at what the Bolsheviks in this country (posing as ``liberals'' and ``Democrats'') have done over the last 35 years: Social giveaway programs that have turned America's inner cities into armed camps. An incredible lack of morals and increasing self-centeredness. An immigration policy that is openly racist against Europeans while catering to those (legal and illegal) who now openly profess hatred and contempt for this country while sucking up the bucks in social programs. And the most brazen criminal element in this nation's history.

Clinton and his ilk have been riding the economic wave started by Reagan and others on the right, and while taking all the credit, have been laughing up their sleeves as Reagan still catches hell from the media - and naive folks like the letter writer eat it up.

- Jim McRae

Burbank