PUBLIC FORUM HONOR, INTEGRITY?

Re ``Bush consulted lawyer over leak of CIA operative's name'' (June 3):

If President George W. Bush is truly interested in getting to the bottom of the illegal ``outing'' of a CIA agent as punishment for criticism by her husband, Joseph Wilson, of the administration's Iraq policy, why doesn't he just sit down with investigators and tell them what he knows, instead of clamming up and hiring an attorney?

Is he concerned that, as has been suggested by Wilson, the trail of evidence will lead back to Vice President Dick Cheney's office? Or to his own? It looks as if it's time once more to ask that Nixonian question: What did the president know and when did he know it? And it's time to ask: Whatever happened to the ``honor and integrity'' that candidate Bush promised to bring to the White House?

- Marcy M. Rothenberg

Porter Ranch

Failed on many fronts

Re ``Bush consulted lawyer over leak of CIA operative's name'' (June 3):

The president has hired a private attorney ``on call.'' It's an issue about unveiling an undercover agent, and it was generated from the White House. Another issue: Enron people, who robbed California blind and laughed at the glorious sight of a wildfire burning that would increase our dependency on Enron. They called it a beautiful sight. Last issue: Get the Bush administration out of office.

- Susan Metzger

Reseda

Reducing physicians' fees

Re ``Governor plowing new ground'' (Viewpoint, May 30):

I generally applaud our governor's new and practical approach to fiscal reform. However, the suggestion to further reduce Medi-Cal fees to private physicians, so as to divert genuinely covered patients to managed care, may help fiscally, but it will drive many physicians away from caring for those now eligible who might not qualify for managed care, thus overloading the already compromised county care facilities.

If coverage was denied to illegal immigrants - with emergency care only at county facilities - and fraud - false identification, claims from dependents of wealthy families, billing irregularities, etc. - was eliminated, enough funding would exist to pay the physicians willing to care for these patients, especially in areas where managed care is not available.

- Harris S. Goldman, M.D.

Tarzana

`Grand civic park'

Re ``L.A.'s money-pit park?'' (May 31):

What do you call it when City Hall gives downtown developers ``$200 million to $300 million in public money ... for underground parking facilities, street improvements and a 16-acre 'grand civic park'''? Welfare for the rich.

The city's $5.4 billion budget supposedly isn't big enough for more than a handful of new police officers; yet there's always plenty of tax money to ``invest'' in wealthy campaign contributors' projects.

But these ``investments'' never pay for themselves - for example, the $67 million parking structure at Hollywood and Highland. We already have a grand park: Griffith Park. What we need are safe streets.

- Walter Moore

Mayoral candidate

Los Angeles 

Valley cultural awakening

Re ``A grand gamble'' (Editorial, June 1):

As a longtime supporter of Valley culture and Valley performing artsorganizations, I agree that ``if downtown redevelopmentcan't stand on its own, it never will.'' With the recent advent of Valley neighborhood councils, along with an emerging sense of GreaterValley will, it seems to me that the time is ripe for a Valley cultural awakening with political impact.

Valley citizens need a fair share of cultural funding, both publicand private. As a Valley taxpayer and consumer, I oppose downtown redevelopment at public expense. Let's first look at affordable regional priorities that serve the public at large.

- Jerry Domine

Winnetka

Parker Center 

Re ``Let's find some way to save Parker Center'' (Viewpoint, May 30):

Yay for Mariel Garza. I am willing to bet anybody 1,000-to-1 on a nickel that no matter what the final cost of new Los Angeles Police Department headquarters, this cost will be well beyond the latest estimate of $300 million in taxpayer money.

Do we remember the price of the unbelievable, frivolous, overbudget ``restoration'' at the City Hall? Millions. Garza gives an honest assessment of the serious pros and cons of the consequential decision.

But surely the restoration of the Parker Center building must be considered by whoever makes the historical decisions.

- Peter Kirby 

Granada Hills

Volunteer army?

As a war veteran, I can sympathize and empathize with our troops in Iraq, but in no way can I believe that they volunteered for duty there. From what I read - especially the obituaries - they volunteered for the National Guard, at the time hoping to earn a few more dollars toward college or helping the family. They were willing to put in the few hours a month and the two weeks a summer. But Iraq? Never. The media - thanks to Washington propaganda - have it all wrong.

And as for ``giving their lives,'' wrong verb. Their lives were taken. Again, the media misinterpreted. Just some sad thoughts after Memorial Day.

- Frank Barron

Van Nuys

Filipino veterans

Watching the World War II Memorial being dedicated to those who served and gave so much for their country, I was struck by the number of times it was recounted as to how many WWII veterans died without being able to see the dedication in person or on television.

Sad. So many gave, and it took 60 years to establish the monument. Now before we close the book on WWII, we must address another bit of unfinished business. After serving and in many cases dying alongside U.S. forces in WWII, Filipino soldiers were stripped of their U.S. veterans status in 1946. This wrong can and must be corrected. Then we can truly honor and celebrate all the WWII veterans who served the United States. Let's do it now, while there are still some alive.

- David Hernandez

Valley Village

Saddam expense

The laughs keep coming. George W. Bush is the proud owner of the pistol that Saddam Hussein had on him when he was captured. I can just see it: Bush, Dick Cheney, Carl Rove and the others all standing around the pistol having a good laugh.

Under the circumstances, what Bush should really have is a framed copy of the $25 million check paid to the Iraqi informant who turned Saddam in. In retrospect, since every reason the Bush bunch gave us for invading Iraq has turned out to be horse feathers, maybe Bush supporters could pay back the $25 million. With America's population at about 300 million, that check represents 8 1/2 cents for each of us, and personally I would like my money back.

- Chuck Heinold

West Hills

It's coming

News flash! Year 2010: Valley commuters ticketed on 101 Freeway for walking faster than cars.

- Robert L. Rosebrock

Brentwood

A poisonous weed

One hopes that many smokers may quit their unhealthy habit after reading the article ``More diseases linked to smoking'' (Daily News May 28). Many people wonder why smokers indulge while knowing that it is harmful to their health. Nicotine in tobacco is quite addictive as it can act as both stimulant and a sedative.

The burning tobacco releases many carcinogens, toxins and tars. The tar in cigarettes exposes the user to the risk of lung cancer, emphysema and bronchial disorders. If you are near a smoker, you will become an involuntary smoker yourself, with all the attendant health hazards. Nicotine is classified chemically as a poisonous alkaloid, and concentrations of nicotine are used in the manufacture of many pesticides. Need I say more?

- Lawrence Stone

Valley Village