PUBLIC FORUM.It is an investment Re ``Mansion or cottage, $50 flat tax sought for schools'' (July 30): While we have only a modest and fixed retirement income, we do not object to paying the $50-a-year parcel tax as proposed in Proposition 88 for funding public schools even though as elderly and disabled persons, we qualify for an exemption. Unlike many of the other taxes and fees that we have had dumped on us, we support this one. It is a payback Payback The length of time it takes to recover the initial cost of a project, without regard to the time value of money. for the education we and our children received and our grandchildren GRANDCHILDREN, domestic relations. The children of one's children. Sometimes these may claim bequests given in a will to children, though in general they can make no such claim. 6 Co. 16. are receiving. Even more strongly, it is an investment in the future that will pay great dividends. No one can reasonably claim that it is an unfair tax. Having read the proposition it is very well thought out, which is more than can be said for many propositions. -- Jack and Diane Allen Diane B. Allen (born on March 8,1948 in Newark, NJ) is an American Republican Party politician, who has been serving in the New Jersey State Senate since 1995, where she represents the 7th Legislative District. Pacific Palisades Palisades, cliffs along the west bank of the Hudson River, NE N.J. and SE N.Y., extending from N of Jersey City, N.J., to the vicinity of Piermont, N.Y., with a general altitude of from 350 ft to 550 ft (107–168 m). They're kidding, right? Re ``Mansion or cottage, $50 flat tax sought for schools'' (July 30): This is the joke of the century -- more money for schools? We just gave them some a couple of years ago, now they want more. I don't think so. Why does everybody want to run the school board or the LAUSD LAUSD Los Angeles Unified School District (Los Angeles, CA) ? Because that's where the big money is and you are not accountable to anyone. If they want more money, start taxing every illegal vendor in the city and they will have a surplus. -- Joe Pinoy Lozano Mission Hills Playing in the street Re ``Street fight'' (July 29): ``This is a great opportunity for kids to come out ... and break a sweat.'' So said Nate Brogin, an activist who is evidently trying to test the waters and make a name for himself. There just might be good reasons for existing laws against such games at the curb. No, Brogin, that isn't what it's all about. Kids can shoot hoops in their yards or on their driveway. There is no special benefit for playing in the street near parked cars and where drivers could hit a kid who suddenly dashes out into the street to get a ball. With your activist background there are many other causes which could use your skills which wouldn't endanger en·dan·ger tr.v. en·dan·gered, en·dan·ger·ing, en·dan·gers 1. To expose to harm or danger; imperil. 2. To threaten with extinction. kids nor risk broken windshields. -- Terri Andrews Castaic Outdated code Re ``Street fight'' (July 29): This is another ridiculous example of current and former city representatives investing their time and energy to reduce the quality of life for the average L.A. citizen. If the city is going to start enforcing section 56.16 of the municipal code, almost every kid in this city should be cited. This sounds like an outdated code that is no longer appropriate. The public would be better served if the City Council voted out that provision. Then, Candi Kovacevich can find something else to pester her neighbors about. -- Jennifer Banzon Granada Hills People: 2, Brogin: 0 Re ``Street Fight'' (July 29): If Nate Brogin is a community activist, then he knows that if there is a law, there's a reason for it. A neighbor doesn't care for his apparatus on a street where she also pays her fair share of property tax. So, it's the people: 2, Brogin: 0. He is wasting the time and resources of our city attorney for his selfish agenda, and using words like ``fascism'' to pepper his drama-queen approach. And for his shameful shame·ful adj. 1. a. Causing shame; disgraceful. b. Giving offense; indecent. 2. Archaic Full of shame; ashamed. mention of his son's 30-pound weight loss to help justify his crusade: Take a break from slamming our government, and educate your children about food intake. My opinion is harsh, but this guy has bought his ticket for a front-row seat, and made it into the newspaper. -- Dan Sharp Northridge Special Order 40 Re ``Special re-Order 40'' (Our Opinions, July 30): Special Order 40 is a calculated conspiracy by members of our government, the mayor, the City Council, the district attorney and various police agencies, to defraud To make a Misrepresentation of an existing material fact, knowing it to be false or making it recklessly without regard to whether it is true or false, intending for someone to rely on the misrepresentation and under circumstances in which such person does rely on it to his or 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. citizens by systematically ignoring 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. , housing, employment and tax laws. Local, state, and federal government agencies should act as one to arrest and deport de·port tr.v. de·port·ed, de·port·ing, de·ports 1. To expel from a country. See Synonyms at banish. 2. To behave or conduct (oneself) in a given manner; comport. illegal aliens and confiscate To expropriate private property for public use without compensating the owner under the authority of the Police Power of the government. To seize property. When property is confiscated it is transferred from private to public use, usually for reasons such as all property and bank accounts of these aliens, just as we would confiscate proceeds from other illegal activities. To give special treatment to any group of lawbreakers serves to undermine the very foundation of our country, and betrays the most elementary principles our leaders were elected to protect. -- Michael Guetzow Woodland Hills `Seem to' facts Re ``World War IV'' (Your Opinions, July 31): Matthew Schaff writes: ``I seem to recall that the conflict started when rocket attacks and kidnappers crossed into Israel ... '' That's the problem: ``Seem to.'' Check the recent history, Matthew, the war started when Hezbollah, a militant Shiite militia militia (məlĭsh`ə), military organization composed of citizens enrolled and trained for service in times of national emergency. Its ranks may be filled either by enlistment or conscription. group, did capture two Israeli soldiers. Then Israel decided the best way to get them back from Hezbollah, who are deeply entrenched en·trench also in·trench v. en·trenched, en·trench·ing, en·trench·es v.tr. 1. To provide with a trench, especially for the purpose of fortifying or defending. 2. in the civilian population of Lebanon, was to destroy Lebanon. It was then that Hezbollah started firing rockets into Israel. Not before. ``When is it wrong to defend yourself,'' Matthew? When you have to shoot a ``terrorist'' holding a neighbor's child, by shooting the child to kill the terrorist. -- Howard Barr Burbank U.N. intervention Here come the jihad jihad: see Islam. jihad In Islam, the central doctrine that calls on believers to combat the enemies of their religion. According to the Qur'an and the Hadith, jihad is a duty that may be fulfilled in four ways: by the heart, the tongue, the hand, lovers again, demanding that the United Nations bail out Hezbollah. Why? You call on the U.N. only if you have a mess that you want to turn into a full-blown disaster. Or if it's a special occasion, the U.N. will whip up an original disaster just for you and yours. If Kofi Annan Kofi Atta Annan (born April 8, 1938) is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 1 1997 to January 1 2007, serving two five-year terms. He was the co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001. were managing a lemonade stand
-- Charles Sergis Calabasas Regional dominance Regarding Israel seeking regional dominance over Palestinians and Lebanese -- of course it is true. As far as peace goes, Israel doesn't believe in it. It has never kept promises in the past. It is one thing to protect your country, but Israel will not be happy until it completely destroys the Palestinian and Lebanese countries. President Bush has given his approval of this. Sending Secretary of State Rice is a joke. She is a puppet puppet, human or animal figure, generally of a small size and performing on a miniature stage, manipulated by an unseen operator who usually speaks the dialogue. and suck-up to President Bush. -- Gerald C. Karels Van Nuys They are terrorists Israel is being condemned con·demn tr.v. con·demned, con·demn·ing, con·demns 1. To express strong disapproval of: condemned the needless waste of food. 2. by both the U.N. as well as most of Europe and the moderate Arab states for failing to enact a cease-fire. A cease-fire must be done on a bilateral basis and in good faith. How can Israel accept an offer of cease-fire from an army of well-trained and well-armed terrorists who do not even recognize Israel's very existence? All this to take place in a location hosting Hezbollah as heroes. Terrorists are terrorists, sworn to end the existence of Israel. -- Ira Kaplan Woodland Hills The word `Hezballah' The correct spelling of this word is, of course, Hezballah -- which means Party Of God. Hezb means party in Arabic and Allah is the Muslim name for God. I am sure every newspaper editor knows that the Muslim name of God is Allah, not ``Ollah.'' So I do not understand why, when the two words ``hezb'' and Allah are joined together they turn into ``Hezbollah'' instead of Hezballah. -- Aprim K. Abraham North Hills The rich are different Re ``Room to relax'' (U section, July 29): It is wonderful to see how the rich live with their elegant bathrooms. To afford one of those toys I will have to gut half of my house and take out a second mortgage. I will ask my wife about this. Perhaps having a bathtub where we can soak facing each other is not really a good idea. -- Dante F. Rochetti West Hills |
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