PUBLIC FORUM POLITICAL MISCONCEPTIONS.

This election has refuted one misconception. I think it will refute another. Misconception No. 1: Moderate Republicans aren't viable candidates. Endorsements by the California Republican Party and other key Republican entities of Schwarzenegger show that moderate Republicans are viable, electable and now an acknowledged part of the Republican Party. Wait for national ripples.

Misconception No. 2: Only politicians with years of experience are qualified to run the state. Gray Davis's fabulous political resume couldn't stop the recall. Ability should count over resume. Ability to delegate, to get bipartisan support and build a team. I believe Arnold Schwarzenegger can and is doing this.

- Amy Zidell

Encino

Not about morality

Re ``Arnold's apology'' (Oct. 3):

Although I am not a supporter of Arnold Schwarzenegger, I find myself defending him with regard to the prior mistakes he made toward women. After all, it has already been settled that a person's personal life has no bearing on his ability to lead.

That was the mantra of the Bill Clinton crowd during the Monica Lewinsky scandal. The United States Senate went so far as to say that perjury does not fall under the constitutional definition of ``high crimes and misdemeanors.'' All you pseudo-moralists are determined to ignore the real issue: ``It's the economy, stupid.''

- Donovan Weir

Chatsworth

Power grab, part II

Re ``Not about Davis'' (Your Opinions, Oct. 1):

I agree that the recall ``... is a Republican power grab,'' much like the last presidential election and Iraq. All the puzzle pieces fit. When Dubya lost the California electoral votes he got even with economic ruin, giving less in federal funds than to other states, and the ``energy crisis.''

Enter Darrell Issa, a friend of George Bush, who spent ``his own millions'' on recall petitions so he could become governor and fix all the state's ills caused by scapegoat Gray Davis. Enter Arnold Schwarzenegger, a higher-profile friend of Bush. Exit Issa, mission accomplished.

- Mary Bempechat

Van Nuys

Indians not bad guys

Five hundred years ago, Europeans came to this continent and were able to profit by attacking, exploiting and exterminating the natives. Today, a European immigrant hopes to profit by attacking native Americans in California.

Arnold, the Indians are only the bad guys in stupid Hollywood movies. If Schwarzenegger had any idea of their plight and how their rights to gaming on tribal lands have helped them and their surrounding communities, perhaps he'd drop this misleading and racist ploy.

- Adam Sklena

Castaic

Not about personal lives

Democrats are in no position to complain about Arnold Schwarzenegger's personal sexual history. After defending Bill Clinton to the death, Democrats of all people should understand that we elect candidates to run the state, not for their personal lives.

Arnold is the best man to fix the deep problems plaguing the state, thanks to Gray Davis. I frankly don't care what Arnold does in the bedroom, as long as he lowers taxes and turns the economy around.

- Lennie Louis

Lakewood

Tom's the right choice

The right man for the job is undeniably Tom McClintock. Some of you were temporarily blinded by the glitz. Come to your senses now and vote McClintock. Even right-minded Democrats have to agree, McClintock has always been the right choice to bring back the California economy and the respect we need to hold up our heads in our nation again.

- Vivian Lindner

Glendale

Inexperience counts

I do not, for the life of me, understand why California voters want to put in office a totally inexperienced candidate like Arnold. His biggest claim to fame is bodybuilding, making ``Terminator'' movies, making money and harassing the ladies. For shame. Any fool knows that any new job requires training first before you can handle it properly.

Now if he gets in, who trains him? How long will it take? And in the meantime, our state suffers, while our problems grow. McClintock is experienced and ready to be given a chance to pull us out of a hole.

- Mildred Cook

Simi Valley 

Remorse

So Arnold's accusers have instant recall after 30 years, regarding his frivolity, which is regrettable. Maybe Gray Davis and Cruz Bustamante may have a more recent recall about the fiscal rape of California, and show no remorse.

- Paul Burgess

Tujunga

If Davis resigns

Am I correct about this? If Gray Davis resigns on Monday, Cruz Bustamante would become governor. The recall election would be moot. Let's hope Davis is not a party man.

- James Perry Jaster

West Hills

LAUSD responds

Your Sept. 28 editorial ``Charters stall: It's a dark time for education reform in the LAUSD'' unfairly characterized the LAUSD Board of Education as being unsupportive of charter schools. This is completely inaccurate and misleading. The board and district are committed to educational excellence for every student in our district and view charter schools as unique educational learning environments for interested families.

The LAUSD's charter program encourages the development of innovation that provides alternate educational opportunities. Charter schools also provide one solution to the overcrowding problem that exists in some parts of the city. The charter application process is designed to ensure that legal requirements, district policies, and funding mandates are met prior to submission to the state.

The board will continue to approve applications that meet state guidelines and is committed to creating an organized system to ensure that petitioners can obtain the support needed.

- Jose Huizar

President

LAUSD Board of Education

Phone rights

This latest judge who shut down the ``Don't call'' movement tells us that commercial phone solicitors will be deprived of their right of free speech if made to stop bothering people with unwanted solicitations.

The phone company has made it clear to me that they own the lines up to the point where my individual line comes to my house. I am responsible for that line and must maintain it myself unless I contract with my phone company, for a monthly charge, for them to maintain it. Therefore, solicitors have the right for their call to go as far as my line. Coming on the line which I own against my will and without my permission is a trespass and illegal. My property rights trump the solicitor's free speech in this instance.

- Michael Hannin

Oxnard

Business cold-calling

The timing of your Business section story ``Cold calls a scary, vital tool for company owners'' (Sept. 29) strikes me as ironic, given that the on-again, off-again do-not-call registry would ban such calls by businesses, as well as real estate agents, etc., etc., etc., for whom cold-calling is an essential for drumming up new business - everyone except charities and politicians.

- Tom Burton

Van Nuys

Keeping students safe

Just the other day I was witness to a middle school car accident. It does not matter whose fault it was. We all need to take responsibility for ourselves and our children. Was it the driver's fault? He was late to drop off his kid. Was it the parent who was late and told her kid to run across the street and didn't make sure it was safe? Was it the middle school student who stepped out without making sure it was safe?

Every student's life is important. Kids need to realize they can get hurt or worse. Parents need to take that extra second for safety. I don't ever want to hear that sound of brakes again.

- Cindy Napolitano

Granada Hills

On to a higher court

Re ```Dream team' lawyer Kardashian, 59'' (Obituary, Oct. 2):

I wonder if Robert Kardashian made a dying declaration giving the truth about his friend O.J. Simpson on his deathbed. After all, now he has had to meet the true judge, God.

- Neal M. Graney

North Hollywood