PUBLIC FORUM CHANGING THE AGENDA.

A few basic questions for the many people who wave the flag in support of the invasion of the people of another nation: Where is the evidence of Iraqi complicity in 9-11? Other than the death and destruction we have been raining down over the past two weeks and accounts of horrible gassings some 20 years ago, where is the evidence of the much-vaunted weapons of mass destruction?

If liberating oppressed people and not just defending our country from an imminent threat is the justification, who do we invade next? Sudan, which continues to practice slavery? Any one of a number of other countries which demonstrate flagrant disregard for human rights? The list could get quite long.

- Alan and Precy Benson

Newbury Park

Communicate with Arabs

There must be hundreds of millions of decent people in the Arab world who would not condone Hussein's regime murdering innocent women and children if they were aware of it. Why are we not making a monumental effort to communicate these atrocities to the Arab world? It would seem that impromptu interviews with refugees (with their faces obscured for their safety) from Iraqi cities, such as Basra, where these atrocities are routine, would be of enormous benefit to the American cause.

Or could we not now deluge Baghdad with leaflets outlining our intent? We certainly would not want to violate some obscure Federal Communications Commission regulations in favor of American lives, but could we not transmit our message on the Iraqi television frequencies?

- Ron Presson

North Hollywood

Those Canadians

The U.S. ambassador to Canada criticized Ottawa for not backing the war in Iraq. They have the nerve to call it an ``unjustified'' war. So what do we do now? We will have to look back in history and see if we ever liberated Canada from foreign occupation. We did help Canada and England defeat Hitler. That should count for something.

Maybe we should boycott or rename Canadian bacon and not make movies up there and not play in their snow anymore. Or we can just accept the fact that they are smarter than we are and they are not sending their young people to fight and die in George's war.

- Lee Brandt

Burbank

Not about religion

Re ``Religious intolerance'' (Your Opinions, March 30):

I can't confirm the validity that American troops deployed to the Middle East have been ordered not to wear religious jewelry, etc., as written by a Simi Valley resident. But I would like to say that I don't know of any religion that states that one must wear religious jewelry, sing hymns or express their faith publicly as a must practice.

The belief in God and one's religion does not have to be flaunted publicly. It comes from within. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that the war in Iraq is against the practices of Saddam Hussein and not his religion.

- Angie Felshaw

Mission Hills

Preserving our rights

I would remind Lilly Gonzalez (Your Opinions, April 2) that the reason she prefers the United States to her native Cuba is the very dissent that she now finds so distressing. Unlike the country she fled, this country assures the rights of its citizens to disagree with its leaders and their policies.

I'm pleased that Gonzalez loves this country, loves our president and is well-satisfied with his administration. May we all remain respectful of our fellow citizens and be vigilant in our determination to preserve these freedoms so that when there is a president in the White House who is not loved by Gonzalez, she will still feel free to express her opinions.

- Pamela Wildermuth

Simi Valley

Exit music

Here's an interesting piece of circus trivia to ponder in the context of our times: The only time Sousa's ``Stars and Stripes Forever'' march is to be played in the Big Top is to sound the alarm for a disaster or dire emergency, such as a fire, blowdown or an escaped, rampaging circus animal.

It seems entirely appropriate that this piece of music is used for Dubya's exit music after every speech. Listen up, folks, there a message in the music - America's tent is on fire and mad cowboy disease has broken out.

- Frank Johnson 

Hollywood

U.N. failure

In 1945, the U.N. was established to maintain international peace and security, and for international humanitarian purposes. These ideals have been eroded over the years by lack of action of the U.N., such as in Cambodia and many times in various parts of Africa. It would also have been a failure in the Balkans if not for the U.S. Air Force.

Today, we find that France, Germany and Russia have supplied Iraq with arms and raw chemicals. Thus, as usual, greed supplants ideals. The International Monetary Fund gives billions of dollars without any overview. In many cases, despots have enriched themselves at the expense of their people and lending nations.

- Joseph Nicassio

Valencia

Parliament vs. Senate

Re U.S. Senate's 99-0 vote supporting Bush's actions:

While members of the British Parliament personify integrity, it is apparent that political prostitutes embody the U.S. Senate.

- Louisa B. Caucia

Montrose

No need for protests

Re ``Bush-haters'' (Your Opinions, March 30):

Edmond Henry writes, ``Methinks if Bill Clinton or Al Gore were commander in chief, the demonstrations would almost be nil.'' He is so right. The demonstrations would probably not be necessary because if Bill Clinton or Al Gore were commander in chief, we wouldn't be in this stupid war at all.

- Tarleton X. Garton

Lancaster

Moore's rant

Re ``No Oscar - speech backlash, Moore says.'' (U Entertainment, March 29):

I find it comical that Michael Moore claims he has had ``zero'' hostility from the Hollywood community. Apparently in his little world he finds comfort in that.

What I would like to tell Moore is that his little rant will be used as a documentary by the Iraqi military to show our POWs, as a form of torture, exemplifying the support their country has for them. They will use this tape along with others, I'm sure, and just show it over and over again. It is well-documented that our own media have been used to torture POWs in past wars, especially Vietnam. Moore can feel so proud of himself.

- Mary Burke-Farrell

Northridge

World without actors

With the advent of the brilliant computer-generated animation in ``The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'' movie, we now have the ability to create the perfect actor. Just think, folks, no more arrogant, mostly ignorant actors to spout their irrelevant opinions on a naive, mostly ignorant core of celebrity worshippers.

The appealing Gollum character in this picture is mesmerizing. It runs through the entire gamut of human emotions: fear, anger, pity, humor, intensity, cunning, caution, etc. It was, without a doubt, the best actor in the movie. Not only will this be economically feasible, but most of the movie money can go to the people who deserve it, like the photographers, cameramen, musicians, set designers and so forth.

- June Dominguez

Burbank

Big wind

Re ``Winds wreak havoc on trees, power lines'' (March 28):

With 50 mph winds blowing through the Valley these past few days, I had to check my TV Guide, for I was sure it was our governor, Gray Davis, or his honor the mayor, James K. Hahn, with the Los Angeles City Council who were giving people here in the Valley one of their long-winded speeches. When they talk, it's like the Santa Ana winds blowing - nothing but a lot of air coming out of their mouths.

- Benjamin Laufer

Sherman Oaks