PUBLIC FORUM.Follow the money Dick Cheney is opposed to shutting down the Guantanamo gulag in the face of the Amnesty International Amnesty International (AI,) human-rights organization founded in 1961 by Englishman Peter Benenson; it campaigns internationally against the detention of prisoners of conscience, for the fair trial of political prisoners, to abolish the death penalty and torture of Report of torture allegations and the lack of due process. Could this have anything to do with the fact that Kellogg, Brown and Root, a Halliburton subsidiary, was awarded a $30 million contract to rebuild the prison? Perhaps Deep Throat was right when he said, ``just follow the money.'' - Nick Benas Granada Hills Laws ignored? Re ``Immigration laws immigration laws npl → leyes fpl de inmigración immigration laws npl → lois fpl sur l'immigration immigration laws npl neither fair nor just'' (Their Opinions, June 16): Domenico Maceri is certainly a shining example of the caliber of education in California The California education system consists of a full range of public and private schools in California, from the University of California system, to well-known private colleges, to an extensive network of secondary and primary education schools. . His level of psycho-babble and application of moral equivalency is really quite remarkable. He admits that illegal immigrants committed a crime, then adds, ``but they are certainly not the only ones who have ever committed crimes.'' So therefore it should be ignored? Maybe lawbreaking in general should be ignored because, after all, so many people do it. Although he is correct in noting that companies flaunt flaunt v. flaunt·ed, flaunt·ing, flaunts v.tr. 1. To exhibit ostentatiously or shamelessly: flaunts his knowledge. See Synonyms at show. 2. the same laws (for which I believe they deserve prosecution) by hiring people illegally, his solution is beautiful. Just change the law and make such hiring legal! Maceri says, ``if 'illegal' hiring disappears, so will 'illegal' immigration immigration, entrance of a person (an alien) into a new country for the purpose of establishing permanent residence. Motives for immigration, like those for migration generally, are often economic, although religious or political factors may be very important. .'' Now, why didn't I think of that? Meanwhile, Mexico continues to export to the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. the economic and social problems that have resulted from the unabated and historical corruption and greed of its ruling class. Yet, Maceri only finds fault with the United States and has an explanation for those of us who resist seeing our economy, language and culture come under attack: ``Some of it has to do with pure racism. Some of it has to do with anti-immigrant feelings which are a part of American history.'' Yep, he sure is a great teacher for young minds. - Michael G. Miller 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. Don't get me started Re ``Losing sight'' (Your Opinions, June 15): Sandy Sand must have her head buried in something up there in West Hills if she honestly believes that PBS PBS in full Public Broadcasting Service Private, nonprofit U.S. corporation of public television stations. PBS provides its member stations, which are supported by public funds and private contributions rather than by commercials, with educational, cultural, is the only noncable television that we ``misguided, ultra-conservative, family-valued, right-wing nuts'' can leave on for our children. With animated series like ``Postcards from Buster'' featuring a Vermont- based lesbian couple as well as ``Frontline,'' ``In The Life: Setting the Record Straight,'' ``I Can't Marry You,'' and ``Out In The City'' available, Sand must not watch the programming she purports to be such an authority on. And don't get me started on ``Sesame Street Sesame Street is an American educational children's television series for preschoolers and is a pioneer of the contemporary educational television standard, combining both education and entertainment. ,'' a private toy-selling franchise that has grossed billions in profits while enjoying decades of publicly funded airtime. - Dink O'Neal Burbank Money makers Re ``Witnesses' credibility helped cave in prosecution case'' (June 14): It was amazing to hear what the Jackson jurors had to say about the reason they voted for acquittal: They didn't like the way the accuser's mother pointed her finger at them, didn't understand how she could allow her son to sleep with Jackson, didn't believe the accuser or the 24- year-old youth pastor who said he was molested mo·lest tr.v. mo·lest·ed, mo·lest·ing, mo·lests 1. To disturb, interfere with, or annoy. 2. To subject to unwanted or improper sexual activity. by Jackson as a young boy, and others. I guess that means that all those witnesses who said they slept with Jackson as a young boy and said nothing sexual happened were all telling the truth? Give me a break. Guess I can read all about it in their books. Here are some titled suggestions: ``Starstruck star·struck or star-struck adj. Fascinated by or exhibiting a fascination with fame or famous people: "The star-struck tone of the text suggests that the author is giving us an exclusive peek into the secret lives of ,'' ``My Night in Neverland,'' ``Wacko Made me a Millionaire.'' - Alda Pearson Valencia Come the time Re ``Not so special'' (Your Opinions, June 14): Carolyn Whitehead is concerned that the leader of the fifth-largest economic power on the planet hasn't checked with the people of this state in regard to his political agenda. Come November, Whitehead will have her say, as will the rest of the voters of this state. The governor's agenda, which he has stated on numerous occasions that he believes to be the people's agenda, will pass or fail. His career in politics, based on the outcome, will either endure, or end. Bullying ways scare you? Power in the wrong hands a dangerous thing? I agree with Whitehead completely, with the exception of her source. Powerful lobbies control our state, not an individual holding a title. - John Rowe John Rowe may refer to:
Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. Story time Re ``That's democracy?'' (Your Opinions, June 16): Apparently Grant Gullickson has been reading fairy tales This is a list of fairy tales, the dates of their earliest known printed version, the author and, if known, the collection of tales in which it was published. It should be noted, however, that not all stories listed below would be categorized as fairy tales by a strict definition from the left or listening to Howard Dean Howard Brush Dean III (born November 17, 1948) is an American politician and physician from the U.S. state of Vermont, and currently the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, the central organ of the Democratic Party at the national level. , and really believes the rhetoric. ``(W)ithout provocation, the Bush administration destroyed Iraq's infrastructure ...'' Without provocation? What do you call the dozens of U.N. resolutions violated? What do you call Saddam Hussein's genocide against the Iraqi people? I can go on, but I think you get the point. Of course, why use actual facts when emotional hysteria and hubris Hubris An arrogance due to excessive pride and an insolence toward others. A classic character flaw of a trader or investor. will save you from actually having to face the harsh reality of al-Qaida, Islamist terrorism and Saddam, the butcher of Baghdad? - Bob Burson West Hills Proof in the pudding Re ``Celebrity justice'' (Our Opinions, June 14): The Daily News decries the fact that celebrities seem to buy justice. The proof is in the pudding. They won. No one can buy justice, but they can buy top-notch legal representation. The cases cited were amazingly weak from the start. It well may be celebrities get real justice and everyone else does not simply because they can't afford it. - Rikio Matsunami Los Angeles Disgusted Re ``Senator issues apology for U.S.-Nazi comparison'' (June 18): So now Democrats, led by Sen. Dick Durbin, are comparing our soldiers guarding the terrorists at Guantanamo Bay to the Nazis, Soviet Gulag guards and the murderous Pol Pot? I'm disgusted. How dare Durbin say something like that about our soldiers and then have the nerve to say that he supports our troops. If these congressmen refuse to support our troops "Support our troops" is a slogan commonly used in the United States and in Canada in reference to the United States Military and the Canadian Forces (Army, Air & Navy). The slogan has been used in the recent conflicts, including the Gulf War[1] and Iraq war. in a time of war, they should just shut up. - David Hall Winnetka No wonder Re ``Senator issues apology for U.S.-Nazi comparison'' (June 18): What is continuously lost when Democratic politicians like Dick Durbin make these whirlwind, puerile puerile /pu·er·ile/ (pu´er-il) pertaining to childhood or to children; childish. anti-American comments is that they come from the party's leaders. It's one thing if a ne'er-do-well like Dennis Kucinich makes a deplorable statement, but most of the hate-filled rhetoric of late comes from the Howard Deans, Harry Reids and now Dick Durbins of the party. My liberal friends tell me that these guys don't stand for their party. Well, maybe not in their view, but their job descriptions say they do. It is no wonder the Democratic Party is in its worst state of my lifetime. - Ari Kaufman Los Angeles Jury will tell Re ``Just as suspected'' (Your Opinions, June 15): Fortunately for our judicial system, not everyone thinks like Stephen Wagner. Wagner is acquitting Phil Spector even before his trial begins, on the basis of Spector's celebrity status, based on the not-guilty verdicts for O.J. Simpson, Robert Blake and Michael Jackson! I'm certain Phil Spector would rejoice if the system was that way, but his fate is still up to a jury of his peers! Amen! - Eddie Cress Sylmar Creepy Re `'Jackson cleared on all counts in molestation molestation n. the crime of sexual acts with children up to the age of 18, including touching of private parts, exposure of genitalia, taking of pornographic pictures, rape, inducement of sexual acts with the molester or with other children, and variations of these trial'' (June 14): Now that the Santa Maria freak show is finally over, a memo to anyone thinking about filing new child-molestation charges against Michael Jackson: Make sure that the plaintiff and his family aren't sicker and creepier than the defendant! - Anthony Dent Los Angeles |
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