PUBLIC FORUM A `NICE' MURDERER?

Re ``Defense witness says Laci Peterson changed husband's life'' (Dec. 8):

Scott Peterson murdered his wife and child, so I really think that having people say he is a nice guy is pointless. A nice guy would have filed for divorce. This trial is about justice for Laci and Conner, not to prove that Scott is a nice guy.

- Caroline Malloy

Reseda

Moonlighting cops

Re ``Cops say 10-4 to 3/12'' (Dec. 5):

Sure, Los Angeles police officers enjoy a compressed work schedule, but what about the hours they spend in court (usually on days off)? Don't forget about the required department training days, as well as state-mandated training officers must attend. It's more than a 40-hour-a-week job.

As for the ``moonlighting,'' that's going to occur no matter what schedule is in place, due to the high cost of living.

You want to look at a schedule, how about firefighters? They work about 11 days a month, have a place to sleep, cook, watch TV, and, I suspect, they moonlight, too. Why not look at placing them on an eight-, 10- or 12-hour shift?

I know, everyone loves firefighters, and no one wants to question their ``tradition.'' On the other hand, no one wants to see cops - until they need one.

High morale in public safety is important. Don't take this much-deserved and earned benefit away from the LAPD.

- Chip Messmore

Granada Hills

Truth of the Talmud

`Hanukkah lights way to open religious debate'' (Their Opinions, Dec. 7):

Rabbi Michael Gottlieb calls the story of the burning oil of Hanukkah a ``myth.'' He notes that the story can be found in the Talmud and apologetically explains that the Talmud is a ``human-authored document, filled with law and lore.''

Now, it's obvious that there is no archaeological evidence for this miraculous event - how could there be? Just as obvious, but not mentioned by Gottlieb, is that the story's omission from the Jewish Bible is equally explainable - it was canonized and closed at least 200 years before the event. Therefore, the only documentation of it must be a ``human-authored document.''

Sadly, Gottlieb calls this document, the Talmud, mythology. In about three months, almost a quarter of million Jews worldwide will be celebrating the completion of the 7.5-year daily study of this Talmud. One folio (2 pages) every day. An incredible accomplishment. And a very proud one. Quite sadly, it seems Gottlieb will not be in attendance.

- Manny Saltiel

Los Angeles

Getting the message

Let me see, I just finished reading about the Democrats' agenda in the new Legislature. Although we voted against same-sex marriage, driver's licenses for illegal aliens, higher taxes and making business pay for health insurance for everyone, these are the items Democrats will push for. I keep hearing the reason Democrats keep losing national elections is that they aren't getting their message out. The people in the red states have got the message loud and clear! Maybe someday the people in California will get it, too.

- Robert Gardner

Sylmar

VoterGate

It looks like the corporate media blackout of the election 2004 investigation is letting up, with hundreds of mainstream media outlets covering the recounts, suits, and fledgling criminal investigations happening across the nation. ``VoterGate 2004'' has picked up steam due to several influences. The Bush administration's validation of the Ukraine exit polls over the government vote count has called into question the validity of America's consistently accurate exit polls as compared with the reversed results obtained from Republican-controlled voting and tabulating machines. Add to that the entry into the fray by Congress' investigation arm, the GAO, and a judiciary hearing convened by Rep. John Conyers. Also, the Democratic Party and the Kerry people are involved in the pending Ohio recount.

One in five Americans now view Bush as being illegitimate, a percentage that is likely to rise and surpass the 50 percent figure his first term garnered, especially as news media coverage sheds light on the scandal.

- Rick Kellis

Woodland Hills

Rewarding, but not easy

Re ``TV watching and children'' (Your Opinions, Dec. 7):

In response to Caroline Cook's letter about motherhood's being a rewarding and fulfilling expenditure of time, I certainly cannot disagree. No ``job'' is more important than good parenting.

However, any responsible and honest mom will tell you that it is not an easy job. It's as difficult as it is important and rewarding - but I wonder who would pay for research in order to figure out whether good parenting or watching TV is easier? None of those responsible moms, I can assure you.

- Terri Andrews

Castaic

Fueled by ethanol

Re ``Free us from oil, Mr. Bush'' (Dec. 7):

Thomas Friedman makes the point that the world will not be truly safe from terrorism until the U.S. removes the economic handcuffs caused by our dependence on foreign-sourced fuels. I agree 100 percent, but I'd like to elaborate, and state that the U.S. already has ethanol, a product that is sourced from American corn farmers. It's time to take care of our own, and rely upon Midwestern farmers to provide (or stretch) our fuel sources, rather than be reliant upon those who fund those that want to kill us and the American way of life.

Take away the terrorists' economic lifeline, and watch their power diminish rapidly.

- Scott Tesar

Oak Park

See no irony

Re ``The thrill is gone'' (Your Opinions, Dec. 5):

Those six hunters were after food, not the ``thrill of killing'' innocent animals. In their part of the country, people hunt for food, like you go to Ralphs supermarket. Do you go to Ralphs for the ``thrill'' of buying a dead turkey or ham or steak?

This immigrant was trespassing on private land and was asked to leave. The six hunters only had one rifle between them because they were not out to slaughter the entire deer population. When asked to leave, he turned and fired on all the hunters, seeing they only had one rifle and had no intention of harming him. I see no irony there; how do you see it?

- Fred Pointer

Sun Valley

Technological fix

Re ``City's costly trash talk'' (Dec. 4):

Why should city employees be issued cell phones with no technological limits on their use? With today's technology, why not issue phones with limited hours per month and that are restricted to being able to receive and send calls only to certain numbers (i.e. supervisors, work office, 911 and maybe a couple of fellow workers)?

- Irving Leemon

Northridge

Poor public protector 

Outgoing Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson says he can't believe terrorists haven't attacked our food supply yet because it would be so easy to do. If it's OK for him to say that, maybe our commanders in Iraq should go ahead and tell the insurgents where our troops are weakest. Maybe our police should tell criminals which neighborhoods are easiest to rob. Maybe our teachers should tell students the best place to sit to cheat on a test. I don't think any of these other protectors of safety and security would make such a careless comment, and Thompson shouldn't have either.

- Nate Brown

Glendale