PUBLIC FORUM THINK IT THROUGH.

Re ``D.A. will hire 45 prosecutors with extra cash'' (Dec. 1):

My question is, with this extra cash and the prosecution of felons, where are they going to be put when convicted if the prison and jails are already overcrowded? Who are we going to have to let out of the jails and the prisons to make room for them?

For 45 prosecutors at $5 million, that is over $100,000 for each. Can't we use this money wisely? Do you think this is the wisest way to spend $5 million?

- Bill Martin

Chatsworth

Exploiting the PTA 

Re ``Junk-food ban eats revenues'' (Nov. 30):

How dare they cite the economic needs of the poorly managed budgets of the LAUSD over the needs of our children? Remember Philip Morris? They created a generation's worth of junkies exploiting lazy-minded lobbyists who would start their day at the doors of the schools selling poison.

The parent-teacher groups are there to subsidize the programs we want, not to create alternate revenue streams used to cover budget cuts or mistakes made by school board bureaucrats. Let's face it: if exploiting the PTA system for financial gain in the name of the children means getting into bed with special interests, then maybe those individuals involved are better suited for politics.

- Allen Ferro

Sherman Oaks

Healthier students

Re ``Junk-food ban eats revenues'' (Nov. 30):

While school administrators and boosters may decry temporary financial setbacks due to the junk-food ban at Los Angeles public schools, we should celebrate the fact that our young people now have access to healthier foods.

Incidences of type 2 diabetes have increased exponentially in the past 10 years, with a disproportionate effect on Latinos and African-Americans. For each day of a student's absence for health-related reasons, our schools take a supersize financial hit of approximately $26 - more than four times the price of a $5.99 Pepsi 24-pack. By now, you'd think the pro-soda contingent would have lost their fizz.

- Alex Padilla 

President, Los Angeles City Council 

Farewell, Dan and Tom

As a independent viewer of the life and times of this nation, I have admired Tom Brokaw and Dan Rather for their independent and objective reporting of the news. I will miss them. It would be encouraging if other anchors would tell it ``as it is'' - what we all know, as a nation, is happening in the world today. The mistakes that this current administration is making in the Iraq debacle are the same as in the previous debacle of the Vietnam conflict of 30-plus years ago, and worse.

Tell it as it is, Tom and Dan, for all of us. Do it for the Gippers! What have you got to lose, but the truth.

- Martin Schiechl

Woodland Hills

Sigh of relief

Re ``Beware the lynch mob'' (Your Opinions, Nov. 30):

Allow me to explain the apparently ``irrational exuberance'' at the results of Scott Peterson's trial. Twelve people at the O.J. Simpson trial, where in fact the evidence proved he was guilty beyond all doubt, not just reasonable doubt, found Simpson not guilty, a travesty of American justice.

When Scott Peterson was found guilty, most ``reasonable'' people will understand it wasn't the Colombian drug cartel. That is why the crowd outside the Peterson courtroom, aware of how pathetic jurors have become, and how sophisticated lawyers have become, breathed a loud collective sigh of relief. This is not a lynch mob, merely relief that our system, in which we have lost our objectivity, has found justice again.

- Mylani Reyes

Winnetka

Where was he?

Re ``Liberal foreign policy'' (Dec. 2):

The writer Jason Robinson stated that no more than 20 percent of Americans ever opposed the war in Vietnam. I would like to know where he was during that time, for the fact is that most Americans opposed the Vietnam War.

- Nina Trotta-Sutton

Simi Valley 

Religion in government

Re ``Modern Pharisees'' (Your Opinions, Nov. 28):

A reader and many others seem to think there is no biblical basis for Christianity in government. It is true that Jesus did not specifically set down a social program, because this had already been laid down in great detail in the Scripture that we now call the Old Testament. This Scripture contains highly specific political, economic, judicial and social precepts.

However, Christ did say believers are to be ``salt and light'' to society. Also, since we are commanded by Jesus to pay taxes (``render unto Caesar''), having a say in government is implied. When Jesus confronted the religious leaders of the day, he was confronting the politicians of Israel, as it was a theocracy. In fact, he was crucified for saying he was the King of the Jews.

- Warren Thompson 

West Hills

Pulpit and politics

Re ``Modern Pharisees'' (Your Opinions, Nov. 28):

True, the primary goal of Christians is not to become a political movement but a spiritual influence, yet we cannot ignore the fact that America's leaders play an enormous role in shaping the direction of the country.

Politics that once focused on the economy, deficit and welfare now tackle issues such as homosexual marriage, abortion and embryonic stem-cell research. This is not about the loss of jobs; it's about the loss of morality. We're not talking about adding millions of dollars to the deficit; we're talking about aborting millions of babies. We're not talking about affordable housing; we're talking about creating life simply to destroy it. Clearly, the day of the passive church is over - we must preach righteousness in our pulpits again. Christians should lead the fight against moral decline, not shun it.

- Shane Idleman

Quartz Hill

Things to avoid

Donna Yeary (Public Forum, Nov. 29), in discussing TV and morals, wrote, ``Why in the world would moral people want to fill their minds with immoral sex, degrading humor and dysfunctional relationships?''

My advice to Donna: Avoid reading Shakespeare - and for that matter the Bible.

- Michael Leviton

Encino

Clean up TV

In response to Donna Yeary's letter, ``TV vs. moral values'' (Your Opinions, Nov. 29), I too want to know why our TV shows have gone to sex, bad language, violence and no morals. I.e. ``Two and a Half Men'' - cute kid, good actors, but the shows have gone to too much sex - can't they make a nice, funny show for all to view? Come on TV people, ``clean up our TV.''

- Donna Sparkman

Woodland Hills

The thrill is gone

Re ``Hunter says victims cursed him'' (Nov. 24):

Let's see if I have this right. Six hunters set out to thrill themselves by killing innocent animals that have no chance of defending themselves. They were going to do this not because they were hungry, but because of the ``thrill.''

Instead, they are shot by another hunter, even though they outnumber him 6-1 and are themselves armed. There is outrage over the fact that they have been hunted down and killed. Anyone else see the irony here?

- Chris Bennett

Chatsworth

Your turn, Ralph

There's a lot of discussion that N.Y. Sen. Hillary Clinton could be a top candidate for the 2008 presidential election. There's also been some talk of Condoleezza Rice also becoming a Republican candidate for the highest office as well.

If this Clinton/Rice 2008 candidacy should occur, perpetual presidential candidate Ralph Nader stands an excellent chance of becoming our next president.

- Larry Dale Stone

Valley Village

Health care cure

I can solve much of the health care crisis in Los Angeles with one simple move. Take the tobacco tax money and give it to our county hospitals, clinics and emergency rooms. Using the tobacco tax money for health care is just plain common sense.

- R.J. Johnson

North Hollywood