PUBLIC FORUM : TIRED OF MEDIA DELUGE.

I finally understand the Kennedy curse: It's when the American public is subjected to the media's overreaction to any good or bad event, involving a Kennedy.

It's dreadful when any individual loses their life, but during the extensive coverage of this latest American tragedy, I viewed the news trying to determine which head of state, Nobel Peace Prize winner or noted cancer researcher was missing or dead.

Other than being the son of a former president, John F. Kennedy Jr. had not accomplished anything really notable with his life, except publish a magazine and inherit the Kennedy name.

The media may be surprised to learn that the average American is saddened, but not in mourning over the loss of JFK Jr. I hope that the media can pull itself together soon and get back to doing its job . . . reporting the news.

- Bob Thorpe 

Sun Valley

Misguided teachers

The dog ate United Teachers Los Angeles President Day Higuchi's homework. Well, that's about the only excuse he fails to offer in his self-serving and whining apology (``Stanford 9 results a dubious achievement,'' Opinions, Aug. 5) for the ignorance of his students.

Part of the problem, which Higuchi's piece clearly demonstrates, is that teachers care more about students passing the test than they do about educating children.

It has been clear for decades that our public education system has been ruined in part by the teachers union. Schools are operated for the benefit of teachers and the students be damned. The dirty little secret, which Higuchi dare not speak, is: His students would fail any standardized test, whether it's called Stanford 9, SAT or any other name.

Here's an idea: Make the teachers, beginning with Higuchi, take the Stanford 9. Any that fail should be dismissed immediately.

The school system is irredeemably corrupt and the corruption begins with the teachers union. The system should be privatized and professional educators, like Higuchi, forbidden ever again to have anything to do with the education of children.

- James F. Glass

Chatsworth

No big deal?

Re ``Coming out from under Prop. 187's shadow,'' by Abel Valenzuela Jr. (Opinions, Aug. 6):

So, what I got out of the essay is, breaking the law, by coming to this country illegally, is no big deal. Reaping benefits from our government by illegal aliens is no big deal. Having a president from a foreign government involved in our politics is no big deal. Evidently, he doesn't have the same idea of what it means to be a citizen of this country that I have.

- Ron Jackson 

Lancaster

Give trustees respect

Re ``Rally around Mission,'' (Public Forum, Aug. 5):

As for Norma E. Ramirez's endorsment of the ``election'' of Saeed Ali as the next president of Mission College, I would suggest that more education from the ``Valley Coalition for a Responsive Community College District'' is needed.

It is my understanding that the position of president of a college (any college) is one of an appointment not a popular election. We elect the community college board of trustees to make that appointment with advisory input from the members of the school's staff, students and community representatives.

Rather than treating members of the board of trustees with disrespect and as the enemy, I would suggest that we invite them (specifically trustee Georgia Mercer) to visit the community and talk with people who have ideas and concerns to share relating to their vision on Mission's continued growth and improvement, not one centered around a political commitment to a specific presidential applicant.

The trustees have obviously already heard from one sector, the politically motivated group that called for the dismissal/resignation of Mission's past president, with their sights on handpicking his replacement. It is time they get an opportunity to hear from the rest of us who just want to make sure of top-notch education for our community.

- Cindy Blazer

Sylmar