PUBLIC FORUM.

One-term bungler?

Re ``Union takes protest to steps of City Hall'' (Dec. 14):

It is going to be very interesting to see how our mayor handles all these upcoming labor contract renewals. Since ex-Mayor James Hahn basically gave away the store to the Department of Water and Power trying to curry union votes for re-election, every other union head now wants the same deal.

Even though L.A. politicians will never be regarded as the sharpest knives in the drawer, you would think that watching screwballs like Gray Davis and Hahn send the state and city into the red for a few thousand votes - while angering millions in a failed attempt to stay in office - would sink in. Mayor, offer fair increases for the unions. Your job, the one you were elected to, is to improve the city. Otherwise you, like Hahn, will be a one-term bungler.

- George Timko

West Hills

Underground economy

Re ``L.A.'s underground cash'' (Dec. 14):

City officials should not be surprised that L.A. has an underground economy, since it is they who created it. There are six day labor centers funded by the city of Los Angeles at a yearly expense of more than $1 million. These centers have a ``don't ask - don't tell'' policy. Neither contractors nor day laborers pay taxes, making it easy for them to cheat and break the law for profit.

These centers are also havens for deadbeat dads. I asked one nonimmigrant U.S. citizen why he didn't get a regular steady job. He told me that his wages were being garnished for child support - and since he didn't have to report his earnings by working at the city's day labor center, he could keep everything he earned.

- Hal Netkin

North Hollywood

Can't see the signals

Re ``Car, bus collide in Orange Line crash'' (Dec. 14):

Just how many collision accidents and deaths is it going to take to get the city to open its eyes? The new-style traffic lights are just not working and have some major flaws. At a distance, you can't see the green until you're in the intersection, but once in the intersection, you can't see if it has turned red.

If not for the older traffic lights remaining at these intersections, you wouldn't know whether to stop or go. Just how many Orange Line bus accidents is it going to take before someone realizes it's not only the color of these buses that is the problem, it's also that you can't see the lights that tell you it's safe to go or not until it's too late. It's no longer safe to drive on the city streets, and the city is responsible for this.

- Debbie Garces

Reseda

Different red lights

Re ``Car, bus collide in Orange Line crash'' (Dec. 14):

It is possible that some drivers do not understand that a right-turn red arrow is not the same as a red signal light. Since one can make a right turn on a red signal after stopping and determining that it is safe to turn right, some drivers may assume that a red right turn arrow allows the same right turn when safe.

Perhaps a sign above each red arrow signal stating ``ABSOLUTELY NO RIGHT TURN ON RED ARROW'' would clarify the law and help prevent accidents. I also feel that the silver buses, while beautiful, should be repainted. Keeping the basic silver, but adding bright orange, would make the buses more visible.

- Charlotte Gussin-Root

Tarzana

Lights, horns, action

Re ``Car, bus collide in Orange Line crash'' (Dec. 14):

I think that if an amber bar light like the ones they use for tow trucks were installed on the buses and an air horn, like trains use, would get the attention of those idiot drivers that aren't paying attention that a bus is coming.

I also suggested that instead of the bus drivers just slowing down to 10 mph at intersections that they should come to a complete stop just to make sure that it is clear for them to proceed. Putting up more lights and signs is just waste of time and effort. There have been seven accidents so far. How many more do there need to be before the Metropolitan Transportation Authority wakes up? Something needs to be done before someone gets killed.

- Carl Copelof

Sylmar

On a charitable note

Re ``Bush takes blame for prewar miscues'' (Dec. 15):

When Bush says, ``I'd do it again!'' he admits that none of the disproved (WMD, etc.) ``justifications'' were his real reason. Otherwise he still disregards the facts given to him by: Richard Clarke, Gen. Shinseki, numerous CIA agents, German intelligence (``Curveball''), French intelligence (pre 9-11, showing that Iraq was not seeking to acquire yellow cake uranium), Joe Wilson's report and that the ``evil'' complained of was pre-Desert Storm.

The most charitable assessment of Bush's latest infomercial sale is that he lied about being against ``nation-building.''

- Bill Pratt

Northridge

Pure fiction

Re ``Syriana is just a movie'' (Their Opinions, Dec. 14):

After seeing the movie, I was frightened by the possibility that the story it told could be the way things really were. But with a little thought, I realized how foolish I was. To pull off such an international scheme with all the players from the CIA, the oil companies, the Arabs, etc., it would require some real organization and brain power. There's the hitch.

This administration? Their inability to get anything accomplished that requires those traits makes such a conspiracy practically impossible. I'd say, try again. A better film could be made about stupidity and ineptitude, particularly internationally, being our country's biggest problem.

- George J. Kramer

Northridge

Divided loyalties

When my grandparents came to this country and became citizens, they gave their complete allegiance to the United States. They knew that a citizen cannot be loyal to two countries without compromising one. We now have an elected official, the governor, who has divided loyalties. He is a citizen of the United States and Austria.

Because Schwarzenegger upheld the law of California and a prisoner was executed, Austria is angry and threatening him with the loss of his Austrian citizenship and a removal of his name from a stadium or monument of some sort. I say to Arnold and all dual citizens, choose which country you will serve. And to the legislators of the United States, both in the House and Senate, rescind the law of dual citizenship.

- Carol Milton

Woodland Hills

Pryor's legacy?

Re ``Comic Pryor prevailed against all life's odds'' (Their Opinions, Dec. 13):

OK, Richard Pryor was a funny guy. Multiple sclerosis is a terrible disease. Rest in peace. But this excessive wailing and deifying of the man is way over the top. Much is made of his ``legacy.'' What legacy? He broke barriers long ago tumbled by Redd Foxx. Pryor left us with a bitter hatred of one race for another. Whatever racial harmony Bill Cosby and Flip Wilson built, Richard Pryor mocked.

Is there a white comedian working the mainstream who is openly hostile to blacks? Hard to imagine, but if there were, and if he died, would the media get all choked up with eulogies?

- Gary Brandner

Northridge

Help from our friends

Re ``Bad analogy'' (Your Opinions, Dec. 14):

Chuck Heinold flippantly spouts off about the American Revolution and gets it wrong. ``A little help from France'' was Adm. De Grasse's fleet, and a 10,000-man army under Count Rochambeau, heavy cannon to lay siege to Yorktown and a bankrupted royal treasury that Lewis lost his head over.

Lest we forget, Gen. Von Stueben, who trained our men, Spain's contribution of money, supplies and a Caribbean fleet keeping the British busy. Dutch banks gave liberally to the cause and Dutch warships took on the Imperial Navy. America didn't achieve independence on her own; a coalition of the willing was there to help.

- Donovan Weir

Chatsworth