PUBLIC FORUM A PASTEL FAREWELL.

Re ``Homeland chief quits'' (Dec. 1):

Finally, we will have someone new running Homeland Security. I only hope that the new person will acknowledge that the U.S. has been losing the war with the terrorists and is willing to do something other than issuing confusing pastel warnings of likely, possible or rumored ``threats.'' And then pats himself on the back when the ``attacks'' do not materialize.

Meanwhile, hundreds of local agencies have spent tens of millions of dollars reacting to any change in the color of threat. All the terrorists have had to do is plant a ``potential threat'' where our intelligence community can easily find it and then sit back and laugh at the Yankee paranoia and wasted dollars. The new secretary should start by junking the color scale.

- Gene Young

Tarzana

Mall and more traffic

Re ``Big deal for Valley'' and ``Mall to bring more traffic'' (Business, Dec. 1):

Now may also be the time for some consideration to be given to develop Canoga Avenue and the rail right of way to Chatsworth Metro Station. I am sure the patrons going to the new Neiman Marcus won't be riding it but it would make a good alternative for others who would.

- Cliff Hall

Chatsworth

Give everyone a gun

Re ``Cops hit streets; training delayed'' (Dec. 1):

Mayor James Hahn wants to make himself look good for the coming election, so he's putting untrained cops with loaded guns on the streets of L.A. What a concept - let's go a step further: Let's skip the background check for police applicants and just give them all a six-shooter.

In fact, let's give every man, woman and child over the age of 12 a handgun and eliminate the cops altogether. Wow! With thinking like this, I should run for mayor.

- Jerry England

Chatsworth

Arnold's allegiance

Re ``Arnold's off to Texas for Bush Library prize'' (Nov. 30):

So the wolf finally leaves behind his sheep's clothing. I can't believe that Arnold Schwarzenegger is accepting an award for excellence by the elder Bush and at the same time soliciting campaign contributions from Texans for his re-election.

Isn't that the state where Enron was located? Has everyone forgotten the energy crisis that bankrupted the state? It's good to know who we are really dealing with, and where our governor's allegiances lie.

- Robert Davis

Tarzana

But whoa, gambling?

The recent suspensions of Ron Artest and the other NBA morons is yet another chapter in the book of decline of our country's moral fiber. Not of the players or fans, but David Stern and the rest who run pro sports.

In the NFL, Jamaal Lewis will do time in the offseason for trafficking cocaine - but worthy of only a couple games' suspension. A baseball player threw a chair at a fan, breaking her nose - a couple games' suspension. The list goes on. But if these drug-using, fan-beating, felonious thugs gamble - a legal activity - they're banned for life.

- Mitch Sternbach

West Hills

Cutting the glare

Re ``Glaringly obvious'' (Editorial, Nov. 30):

Upon leaving a tour of the RKO Studios, which he had just purchased, Howard Hughes turned to his studio manager and said, ``Paint it green.''

I suggest they do the same with that train wreck known as the Disney Music Center.

- Ron Honthaner

Studio City

Appropriate context

Re ``A federal failure'' (Editorial, Nov. 26):

When I stated that Congressman Dreier's office was ``pleased'' with the final appropriation for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, it was within a context not provided in your editorial. While the $305 million secured this year was less than the House initially approved, it was also $5 million more than was approved last year, and $55 million more than the Senate approved this year.

California's Republican House delegation has consistently fought for and gotten tens of millions more dollars for SCAAP than the Senate has approved. An increase in funding is progress in an always difficult fight, but stronger, better border security is also key to this challenge.

- Jo Maney, spokeswoman

Rep. David Dreier

Glendora

What are we teaching?

Re ``Junk food ban eats revenues'' (Nov. 30):

Now that the schools are pushing healthier snacks, they are facing a shortfall of funds they normally would be taking in on soda and candy. They are being told they should seek healthier alternatives. What's interesting is the kids are not prohibited from bringing them from home.

Some kids complain that the school has no right telling them what they can and cannot eat. I agree. But don't the schools teach these kids basic skills like math and show them it's more economical to shop and buy them outside of school and bring them, thus saving money. What about making a healthy snack at home and bringing it to school? It seems we would rather teach them to be lazy early in life and get them used to the fast-food way of life.

- Mike Hoblinski

Burbank

The road to censorship

Re ``Protect children'' (Your Opinions, Nov. 25):

Teri Gaudioso writes that her children were exposed to objectionable material on TV while she has patronized such establishments as a pharmacy and a pizza parlor. She doesn't want such programming ``forced'' on her children.

She can always complain to the manager and, if that doesn't solve her problem, she can go elsewhere to conduct her business. If she chooses to stay in these places with her children, no one is forcing anything on her family. Such self-centered thinking is what leads to unneeded and irresponsible censorship.

- John R. Schlank

Granada Hills

Let the networks change

Re ``TV vs. moral values'' (Your Opinions, Nov. 29):

I have constantly heard the phrase ``If you don't like it, change the channel.'' Well, when dealing with the regular network schedule and the major networks, why can't the people who want to see the garbage be the ones changing the channel, such as to cable, instead of those who don't want to see it?

There are far more stations presenting excess violence, sex and such, than more wholesome programming. If I watch MNF, it is to see the football game, not the garbage, regardless of whether it is in the pre- game intro or the many commercials. It is very annoying to have to change channels during commercials just because of some sleazy 30-second ad I and my wife do not want to see on prime-time programming.

- Tom Olson

Glendale

Liberal foreign policy

Re ``Slow learners'' (Your Opinions, Nov. 18):

According to Fred Coble, ``When we pulled out of Vietnam, the Vietnamese restored civility almost immediately and set up friendly relationships with America.'' Hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese were imprisoned for ``re-education.'' Hundreds of thousands more died trying to escape their communist slave masters. Two million people in total tried to flee their own country, creating an international humanitarian crisis.

Despite the left's relentless effort to dishearten the nation, no more than 20 percent of Americans ever opposed the war in Vietnam. In a triumph of liberal foreign policy, Marine helicopters had to be dispatched to airlift American officials and a few fortunate Vietnamese from the roof of the American embassy in Saigon.

- Jason Robinson

Pacific Palisades