PUBLIC FORUM DISSING OUR PRESIDENT.

I think it's disgusting the way these Hollywood people think they are speaking for the majority. The war has begun, and the protesting needs to stop. It's only hurting the people whose children or parents are in the military, fighting for our rights and our freedom and the rights of the Iraqi people who deserve to live without fear.

Protesting was OK before the war was started, but now we have to support our brothers and sisters and hope they all return quickly and safely. It makes me furious to listen to these uneducated, ignorant Hollywood stars - some whom never even graduated from high school - totally disrespect our president and our country. This is America: If you're not proud to be an American, then go live somewhere else.

- Terri Peters

Saugus

Our military pay

It is deplorable that while our troops are fighting with their own lives for our freedom, some of their families are left without a means of subsistence in their absence. The troops are allotted a mere $150 a month for hazardous duty pay and a measly $100 a month for family separation pay. There are minimally salaried enlisted who already rely on sustenance allowances like food stamps to provide for their families but can no longer qualify for the assistance because of the increase in pay.

Some reservists who were called back to active duty are left supporting their dependents on a meager military stipend unequal to their civilian earnings. What kind of gratitude is that for the service these men and women are performing? Congress needs to adopt a bill that takes into consideration these living-standard discrepancies when our military is at war.

- Patricia Bourne 

Sherman Oaks

My freedom

The McCarthy era of blacklisting entertainers was certainly not one of America's finest moments. However, that said, I take issue with David Shulman's description of my entertainment choices as ``blacklisting'' (Your Opinions, March 26). Everyone in America has the right to voice an opinion on any subject. That means that Mike Farrell, Michael Moore, Martin Sheen, et al, can spout any drivel they so choose.

By the same token, I have the freedom and right to not watch any program or film that would benefit those who I believe are harming our country and our troops. I can protest by withholding my entertainment dollars and not going to their films, not buying their albums, not watching their TV programs and not buying the advertised products of those TV programs.

- Lydia Smith

Reseda

Examine his actions

If Bush's motives are in question, we need only examine his actions. Disregard the rhetoric. Consider that an amazing 41 members of the Bush administration have ties to the oil industry. Then note that Iraq has over 200 billion barrels of oil - more than all U.S. oil holdings combined - with a value of over $1 trillion.

Do not be deterred by accusations that we are not Americans just because we don't believe a country should be attacked and plundered for its riches. Hermann Goering knew the technique well. He said at the Nuremberg war-crimes tribunal: ``Why, of course, the people don't want war ... the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. ... All you have to do is ... denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism. ... It works the same in any country."

- Elaine Berman

Sherman Oaks

Religious intolerance

In an effort to appease the religious intolerance of other countries, American soldiers are being forced to leave their religion at home as they depart to fight for our liberties. American troops deployed to the Middle East have been ordered not to wear religious jewelry, sing hymns, or express their faith publicly in other ways.

My family has served in the military in past generations. My husband was highly decorated, but our sons will not serve this country without their God. The priorities are: God, family, country. Any country or military that interferes with the practice of one's religion is criminal. Our military is as guilty of violating the human rights of its own soldiers as is Iraq.

- Tara McBride

Simi Valley

Of course it quacks

Excuse me, members of the Academy. I understand you have to mark something on your ballots for the ``filler'' section of the awards, but did any of you actually sit down and watch ``Bowling for Colombine?'' Whatever your views on gun control, this is nothing more than a crudely made propaganda film on the level of ``Reefer Madness.''

Why then, would anyone act surprised or feel it inappropriate that its creator, Michael Moore, would opportunistically use the Oscars award ceremony to spout his agenda? If it looks like a duck and has feathers, chances are it's going to get up on the stage and quack.

- John S. Soet

North Hollywood

Comfort to the enemy

The word ``un-American,'' which was popular in the 1950s, takes on new meaning today. With our troops fighting and dying in Iraq, demonstrations and negative letters give comfort to the enemy and demoralize our troops. Freedom of speech comes with responsibility, which these people never think about. Many real Americans would like to see these individuals sent to France, where they would fit right in.

- Sion Colvin

Woodland Hills

Bush-haters

The glaringly obvious bottom line identifying the anti-war protesters is their deep hatred of George W. Bush. Their tired claim about concern for Iraqi lives is quite transparent. Where were these same people when blood ran freely in Rwanda, Kosovo, Bosnia and other unfortunate nations?

Speaking from both sides of their mouths, they support our troops while bringing aid and support to the regime our troops are fighting. How it pains them to see ``Bush's Unilateral War'' with a 40-nation coalition of the willing and growing. Methinks if Bill Clinton or Al Gore were commander-in-chief, the demonstrations would almost be nil.

- Edmond Henry

Mission Hills

Why are you protesting?

Why would anyone protest the war against Iraq's Saddam Hussein and his military? They are rapists and murderers. Every government in the world knows this.

This is a problem that should have been taken care of long ago. Iraq needs peace. Just imagine if this had happened in America.

- Lane Anderson

Tujunga

Big surprise

Re ``FERC agrees California owed billions'' (March 27):

The truth comes out. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has come out with the fact that California was manipulated into paying $10 billion in 2000 and 2001 when prices soared and we are due a $3 billion refund.

Now, as Paul Harvey says, ``Here' s the rest of the story.'' The Texas- based manipulators - Reliant, El Paso, Enron and others - all met with Dick Cheney before, during and after the manipulations and they are still being protected by Cheney and his refusal to release the details of those meetings. All Californians should be outraged.

And here's the new rub: Haliburton, yes, Cheney's ex-company, has the main contract in rebuilding the Iraqi oil lines connecting to outside sources. Like Gomer Pyle said, ``Surprise, surprise, surprise.''

- Chuck Heinold

West Hills

Who is important?

Re ``Stopping fraud'' (Editorial, March 26):

There can be little disagreement that the arrest of a school district employee on charges of bilking $5,554 in workers' compensation is fraud and is important and must be investigated thoroughly. Fraud is fraud. On the other hand: Mismanagement of public funds is also fraud. Specifically in light of the misplaced priorities set by Superintendent Roy Romer and the elected members of the LAUSD school board.

Cutting $52 million from the students and teachers in the classrooms and only $26 million from the over-bloated and pampered administration's budget underscores the unbalanced and impaired bureaucrats running and guiding this ship. The kids take the hit to keep the district's bond rating afloat.

- Robert Loveridge

North Hollywood