PUBLIC FORUM SUCCEED OR NOTHING.Re ``Public pay giveaway?'' (July 8): It's thoroughly outrageous that some of our local government leaders are being paid almost as much as the president, especially since we experience so many Third World conditions. Our school system is an international embarrassment. Road repairs take an eternity. Our subway goes nowhere important or useful. We face gang violence, police corruption Police corruption is a specific form of police misconduct sometimes involving political corruption, and generally designed to gain a financial or political benefit for a police officer or officers in exchange for not pursuing, or selectively pursuing, an investigation or arrest. , gridlock Gridlock A government, business or institution's inability to function at a normal level due either to complex or conflicting procedures within the administrative framework or to impending change in the business. , bureaucratic red tape, insurance fraud, smog, the 405 Freeway, etc. Although we should certainly compensate qualified leaders, those rewards should be paid through an incentive program based on their job performance. Bottom line: Improve our city and get rewarded. Fail, get nothing. - David Andrew Lloyd Studio City Not a monopoly I have agreed with Thomas Sowell Thomas Sowell (born June 30, 1930), is an American economist, political writer, and commentator. While often described as a "black conservative", he prefers not to be labeled, and considers himself more libertarian than conservative. on many issues, but his opinion that the U.S. Postal Service The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) processes and delivers mail to individuals and businesses within the United States. The service seeks to improve its performance through the development of efficient mail-handling systems and operates its own planning and engineering programs. is a monopoly is simply ludicrous (Opinion, July 6). A monopoly, by definition, is an economic situation in which only a single seller or producer supplies a commodity or a service. As we know, the U.S. Postal Service does not control the market. Fax machines, electronic mail, United Parcel Service United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE: UPS), commonly referred to as UPS, is the world's largest package delivery company, delivering more than 15 million packages[1] a day to 6.1 million customers in over 200 countries and territories around the world. , Federal Express and other means of communication have taken a large chunk and continue to take larger bites of the market every day. If the Postal Service postal service, arrangements made by a government for the transmission of letters, packages, and periodicals, and for related services. Early courier systems for government use were organized in the Persian Empire under Cyrus, in the Roman Empire, and in medieval were allowed to privatize and offer more services, such as advertising, the agency would not have to continue to raise rates and would be able to catch up with modern times. - Robert Hernandez West Hills Precious pals Daily News reporter Martin Kuz wrote a very warm article about ``Sampson & Delilah'' (July 6) that touched my heart and, I am sure, many hearts of your readers. His sensitivity and love of animals showed through his story. Praise must be given June Malecek and Barbara Fiero for the tender loving care they have shown for the two precious pals. I hope no one claims them and they can remain in a loving home that they seem to have adjusted to already. God bless Malecek and Fiero. There are not enough kind and loving people in this world like them. - Jackie Roose Woodland Hills Rushing to judgment What happened to the concept that one is innocent until proven guilty? The legal system and social services social services Noun, pl welfare services provided by local authorities or a state agency for people with particular social needs social services npl → servicios mpl sociales have, once again, jumped the gun. With no Grand Jury indictment and no time to defend herself against the accusations against her, Paula Poundstone Paula Poundstone (born December 29, 1959 in Huntsville, Alabama) is an American stand-up comic. She is known for her quiet, self-deprecating style, political observations, and her trademark suit and tie outfit. was dragged into court facing felony charges, and her children were taken into protective custody An arrangement whereby a person is safeguarded by law enforcement authorities in a location other than the person's home because his or her safety is seriously threatened. , supposedly for their safety. Let's stop the media circus media circus n → excesivo despliegue informativo media circus n (= event) → battage m médiatique (= group of journalists); cortège m and help Paula get on with her life. Is some sick person seeking revenge against Paula for something that has nothing whatsoever to do with her kids? Just the facts, please, and remember one really is innocent until proven guilty. God bless anyone who has the heart to take in needy children. - Marie Roberts Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Movie seating In reference to type-casting your personality by where you sit at the movies (``You are where you sit,'' July 6): That's ridiculous. Seating at the theater tells more about what day you choose to attend, how many people you need seats for and, most importantly Adv. 1. most importantly - above and beyond all other consideration; "above all, you must be independent" above all, most especially , at what time you arrive. - Evvy Ross Chatsworth Budget politicking Re ``Democrats' budget not worth vote'' (Opinion, July 5): I like and respect Assemblyman Keith Richman Dr. Keith S. Richman is a California, United States, Republican politician. From 2001 to 2007, he served in the California State Assembly representing the 38th Assembly District based in Northwest Los Angeles County. , who is a talented member of the Legislature's freshman class. Unfortunately, his commentary on the state budget shows that he can dance the political two-step like a seasoned pro. He rails against ``pork barrel'' spending - but never mentions that he made more than $18 million in such requests himself. He proposes greater fiscal discipline - then calls for $4 billion in new spending and tax cuts, without explaining how to pay for them. And then Richman - knowing full well that the reserve incorporated in the state budget would be the largest in California's history - chides Democrats for failing to set aside an adequate reserve. In this time of uncertainty, the last thing California needs is double talk. Let's take our responsibilities seriously, pass a state budget and leave the politicking for the campaign trail. - Robert M. Hertzberg Assembly speaker Still a great idea Re ``Slavery reparations'' by James Glass (July 3): To insinuate in·sin·u·ate v. in·sin·u·at·ed, in·sin·u·at·ing, in·sin·u·ates v.tr. 1. To introduce or otherwise convey (a thought, for example) gradually and insidiously. See Synonyms at suggest. 2. that African-Americans, descendants of slaves, are all too reliant on public funds See Fund, 3. See also: Public and thus should not be entitled to reparations reparations, payments or other compensation offered as an indemnity for loss or damage. Although the term is used to cover payments made to Holocaust survivors and to Japanese Americans interned during World War II in so-called relocation camps (and used as well to is absolutely a stereotype. Recent statistics have shown that 39 percent of whites, as opposed to 37 percent of nonwhites, are reliant on and benefit from public assistance and welfare. Yes, it was a great idea for the government to spend $5 trillion on anti-poverty and social programs. However, those programs came with a price: the lives of those who paid to end discrimination and racism from the Reconstruction era throughout the 20th century. Sadly, many of those programs that benefited all races and ethnic groups are slowly being dismantled. And, yes, the Jews should sue Germany for the atrocities of the Holocaust. - Sophia Sherman Van Nuys Aetna U.S. Healthcare U.S. Healthcare is a now-defunct healthcare company. The logo had an apple. The merger with Aetna In 1996, the company merged with Aetna, calling it Aetna U.S. Healthcare. The U.S. Healthcare apple logo was next to the Aetna name, and U.S. Healthcare under it. U.S. The article ``Medical Center in Tarzana drops Aetna U.S. Healthcare'' (July 3) presents misleading information that may cause confusion among Aetna U.S. Healthcare members who utilize Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center. No Aetna U.S. Healthcare members will be required to change doctors as a result of this medical center termination. The article stated erroneously that members would have no choice but to change physicians, and I would like to make it clear that this is not the case. Members can continue seeing their current doctor. Members whose physician utilizes Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center will be admitted to other local hospitals for nonemergency care. However, in an emergency, Aetna members should go to the nearest hospital, including Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center. Aetna strives to minimize disruption for our members. While we regret that we were unable to reach an agreement with Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center that would have enabled us to continue our relationship, we believe that members will experience minimal disruption as a result of the termination. We urge any Aetna U.S. Healthcare members who have questions or concerns about this termination to contact the Aetna Member Services Department at the telephone number on their ID cards. - Jerald B. Gooden General manager Aetna U.S. Healthcare Enough blame Re Kathy Lombardo's ``He's responsible too'' (Public Forum, July 3) about the husband who is standing by his wife who drowned their five children: I agree. You bet. Russell Yates knew the problem his wife had, and still they kept having babies. He also knew she was well into a psychotic depression Noun 1. psychotic depression - a state of depression so severe that the person loses contact with reality and suffers a variety of functional impairments clinical depression, depressive disorder, depression - a state of depression and anhedonia so severe as to episode and left her alone. You'd think he would be hysterical hearing the news, but with a picture and some tears, he talked to reporters. Shock? Who's to blame? Mental illness and how it is looked at, parents, anyone who knew she was in trouble, the law and the people in authority. - Shirley Thielman Reseda Millions agree Millions of people agree with Martin Sheen's stance regarding ``Star Wars.'' Unfortunately, these people live in Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, Hollywood, Malibu and Beverly Hills. - James G. Burke Granada Hills |
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