PUBLIC FORUM ANOTHER SICK FORECAST.

Re ``Apartment rents to soar?'' (Business, March 31):

Please! I really don't know where these researchers come from. Obviously, not a low/average-income, single-parent household. Apparently they are not one who takes that income and spends half of it for rent on a one-bedroom apartment.

Just another sick forecast of our already failing ability to fix our own economy and mend our ailing communities. My rent has gone up $225 in just over a year and the quality and management has discouraged me and other tenants beyond belief. No, we don't need more complexes for bigger families, what we need is rent control and stricter health code laws to protect those of us who once were just paying bills and now are facing the street.

- Gina Ardizone

Sunland

Solar streetlights

Re ``L.A.: City of few lights'' (March 29):

In a city that basks in sunshine for the most part of the year, why haven't any of our city officials thought about installing solar-powered streetlights or even solar panels at the top of our skyscrapers to help cut back on the city's power expenses?

This would also make it possible to have streetlights throughout the Southland, high-income or low-income communities. The sun could charge a streetlight all day so it could light the street all night. Let's face it, the sun is going to be out anyway and it's free. With the money this city would save on electricity they could turn their concerns to other important issues in the area. Unfortunately, the surplus would more likely go toward a pay raise.

- James Hanby

West Hills

Not about light

Re ``L.A.: City of few lights'' (March 29):

The only light I would like to see is from the moon and stars. Ever since Donald Lorenzen, the city has been trying to put streetlights on anything that doesn't move.

When will the city finally give up and realize that streetlights don't prevent crime, a great police force does? Use the money for additional police officers.

- Patric Quinn

Canoga Park

Misplaced anger

The Daily News seems to be suffering from misplaced anger in its editorial ``Yesterday's cause'' (March 31). While you make some good and valid points about the Las Lomas development, you undermine your own position by inexplicably lashing out at Rob Reiner instead of City Hall.

Reiner's past fight to preserve open spaces does not obligate him to engage in every future battle. I could understand being critical if Reiner had spoken out in favor of the Las Lomas development, but there is no evidence of that at all. Instead, you attack him because his priorities are not perfectly in line with your own. Focus your attacks on the politicians causing the problems and your cause will be better served.

- Jeff Marowits

Los Angeles 

Not Reiner's job

Re ``Yesterday's cause'' (Editorial, March 31):

I find it hard to believe that the Daily News would single out Rob Reiner over his support of saving Ahmanson Ranch. Perhaps the Daily News doesn't know that it is not Reiner's job to fight everything that ails the world in the Daily News' eyes.

After delivering preschool for all in L.A. County, free health care for every child in the Bay Area, saving Ahmanson Ranch for the San Fernando Valley, fighting back Big Tobacco over Proposition 10, I guess Rob has not done enough for the ivory tower types at the Daily News.

- Carlos Sanchez

Mission Hills

It's the doctors

Re ``Disabled losing out'' (March 28):

Regarding the misuse of handicapped parking, one way to ameliorate the problem is to crack down on physicians who keep renewing these permits for patients who have long since recovered from their handicap.

- Michael Wiener

Encino

Judge not ...

Re ``Immoral parkers'' (Your Opinions, March 30):

Judge not that ye be not judged. I once felt as you do. They may be transporting a handicapped person to a doctor, buying medicine or other items for them on the way. They may have an invisible handicap or they simply cannot walk far because of extreme pain.

Twice I was handicapped because of pneumonia (invisible) and because of knee surgery. I did legal business for which I could not send another, went to labs or doctors for tests, bought medicine or supplies, even lunch, etc. I sincerely hope you will never be handicapped.

- Deane P. Lawlor

Sylmar

Politically expedient

Re ``Release of Clarke's '02 testimony urged'' (March 27):

When Clarke's 2002 testimony was denied to the American public (i.e., classified) because it would adversely affect national security, Republican leaders apparently agreed that we had no right to this information - not a peep of protest.

But now that it may be politically expedient to disclose this ``top secret'' information, they are very eager to forget about national security. We must conclude that to Republican leaders, national security is far below politics.

- Clifford Shannon

Sylmar

Basic difference

Re ``Iraqi paper closed'' (Your Opinions, March 31):

It seems that Pete Hogenson is missing a very basic difference between the newspapers here and the one in Iraq that was recently shut down. Here, when a newspaper ``disagrees'' with your view of things, it does not exhort people to strap bombs onto their chests, or their children's chests, and go blow up a bunch of innocent civilians in a public place.

And the people here generally don't do that sort of thing on a regular basis.

- Jerry Schwartz

Granada Hills

Dying from within

A handful of this country's people are challenging the very fiber of our nation taking ``under God'' out of our Pledge of Allegiance. What's next, ``In God We Trust'' from our money? Our presidents' hands are on the Bible when they are sworn in. The moral goodness is leaving our country - we're slowly dying from within.

This nation was founded on godly values. Our 18th-century fathers laid down their wealth and lives for us. We are the most blessed nation on Earth. That's why they're dying to come here. Wake up America, before it's too late.

- Ron Rupocinski

Canyon Country

U.N. is bigoted 

Re ``Use of kids as bombers abominable'' (Their Opinions, March 31):

Hallelujah! Finally someone recognizes and acknowledges the U.N. as the bigoted and irrelevant organization it is. If the U.N. has never condemned the Palestinian use of terrorism against innocent women and children and basically condones their use of their own children as weapons without so much as a slap on the wrist, how can anyone take them seriously?

Thank G-d the U.S. has a moral conscience - something the U.N. clearly is missing. So, Richard Cohen, I will gladly sign and support your resolution for condemnation of Palestinian terrorism.

- Dolly Greene

Northridge

Food for oil

As the United Nations food-for-oil scandal increases, and more information comes to light regarding the countries and individuals who in effect plunder the funds from the people of Iraq, along comes John Kerry, who wants to turn the oil revenue over to the control of the U.N.

I have to wonder who these foreign leaders, and countries, are that want Kerry to be president.

- Ron Jackson 

Lancaster

Politically speaking

A politician spends half his time making promises and the other half making excuses. Politics is the conduct of public affairs for private advantage. The greater the desire for power, the worse the leadership.

- Ken Garrison

Rosamond