PUBLIC FORUM.

Opposing term limits

Re ``Rocky rocks'' (Our Opinions, Aug. 1):

In your editorial, you ask, ``Will they vote to put their (term limit extension) measure on the November ballot and thus show their utter contempt for the law and the public?'' Please tell me how putting a measure on the ballot shows any contempt for the law and especially for the public. The public will have the right to decide the measure.

More contempt for the public is shown by the very existence of term limits, which restrict the right of voters to vote for individuals they feel have served them well. It is anti-democratic, and I will vote against term limits (or for extensions of term limits) every time.

-- David Holland

Northridge

Time to revolt again

Re ``Mansion or cottage, $50 flat tax sought for schools'' (July 30):

The rich philanthropists say the schools are in dire need but instead of them assuming the monetary responsibility for fixing them, they want to milk the cows (property owners) into funding their projects. Remember Proposition BB?

The cows are ready to stampede. They have had enough; just like our forefathers with England. Remember the tea tax? They revolted by throwing the tea in Boston harbor. I think it is time for another revolt. The last one was in 1978 with Proposition 13. Vote ``no'' on Proposition 88: a ridiculous waste of taxpayer's money.

-- Maxine Flam

North Hollywood

Tax renter parents

Re ``Mansion or cottage, $50 flat tax sought for schools'' (July 30):

This proposal is a ruse to get around Proposition 13 that should be opposed at every level. I don't care that they want to tax everyone the same; homeowners are taxed enough.

What about renters? They pay no property taxes but still send children to school. Why don't they pay a $50-per-year tax to send their kids to schools? That would take the burden off homeowners a bit. Not to mention that the way the money is spent or wasted is criminal.

-- Mike Judge

Simi Valley 

Negative thoughts

Re ``Arrest could crash Gibson's career'' (July 31):

As a retired psychiatrist, my understanding of the effect of alcohol on the brain is that it doesn't alter one's belief system, but rather impairs one's judgement. One can therefore harbor very negative thoughts toward others and control oneself to not say them when sober.

With alcohol, that control is easily lost. Thus, Mel Gibson's denial of anti-Semitic beliefs while blaming alcohol for their expression rings false.

-- Alan Pollack, M.D.

Woodland Hills

The long view

Re ``Arrest could crash Gibson's career'' (July 31):

One cannot help wondering if the Almighty weren't devoting so much time to answering the prayers of Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, Super Bowl and ``American Idol'' winners, to assisting sanctimonious religious leaders in covering up child molesting, and to helping a boorish, prejudiced Australian from earning enough money to ``own'' Malibu, might He or She be able to give a bit more attention to terrorism, civilian collateral damage, AIDS in Africa, genocide in Darfur, global warming, etc.?

-- Marshall Barth

Encino

Free speech

Re ``Arrest could crash Gibson's career'' (July 31):

I am surprised film actor Mel Gibson was unaware of what the rest of us know as ``freedom of speech'' in this country. Anyone can call our nation's president a liar or burn our country's flag, but using the ``N'' word or making any anti-Semitic comments, whether drunk or sober, is strictly forbidden and can lead to a court appearance or job loss, etc.

-- Everett P. Harrington

Glendale

What protesters?

Monday's Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young show at the Hollywood Bowl made me at once feel old and young. Old because I realized it was nearly 40 years ago they had their debut. Young because I was reminded of the passion of my youth, and how they were among the artists who could put my feelings into their songs.

While it was wonderful to be with 18,000 friends who, for the most part, felt the same, on the shuttle bus ride out I found one couple who were disappointed due to the political nature of the show, especially the last 30 minutes. I wondered aloud where the youth of today is, when someone hit me with, ``It's because there's no draft.'' The light bulb came on.

-- Prentiss Moore

Sherman Oaks

War has changed

Re ``3,700 U.S. troops sent to Baghdad'' (July 30):

From time immemorial, might made right. When Rome overpowered local defenses, Caesar called the shots. Done. But with the proliferation of the IED (improvised explosive device) all has changed. The U.S. is acting as if the genie were still in the bottle, as if superior firepower in Iraq means ``war won.''

But with IEDs, the enemy can always resist, always fight back. It is never over just because it's over. The rules of war have changed. We either didn't learn from Vietnam, or already forgot. If the U.S. does not acknowledge the change, and continues this we-can-outruthless-them strategy, it will be our undoing.

-- Peter Wilson 

Simi Valley

Illegal hoops

Re ``Quarreling over curbside sports escalates'' (July 29):

Please explain illegal. And the consequences of illegal. Putting a basketball hoop on the parkway for kids to play and get exercise that they do not get in schools is illegal, and the dad may go to jail.

On the other hand, people entering this country without the proper documentation is illegal but it is ignored and benefits given that taxpayers pay for. Where is the equity?

-- Betty Jenkins

Chatsworth

Not a drama queen

Re ``People: 2, Brogin: O'' (Your Opinions, Aug. 1):

I am the wife of Nate Brogin, who Dan Sharp refers to as having a ``drama-queen'' approach to the basketball hoop situation. Firstly, as a recipient of two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service to this country, I hardly consider him a drama queen in anything he does.

Secondly, tell the people who were segregated, enslaved, denied voting rights, sent to death camps, etc., by or permitted by government that ``if there is a law, there's a reason for it.'' Some would be well to remember the lasting words of Pastor Martin Niemoller's 1945 poem, ``Then they came for me -- and by that time no one was left to speak up.''

-- Wendy M. Brogin

Sherman Oaks

Green pastures

Re ``Activists want zoo probe expanded'' (July 25):

How much will it cost, how long will it take, how many more years of distress for the zoo elephants before messieurs Villaraigosa, John Lewis, et al. allow the two still-alive pachyderms to retire to a well-deserved sanctuary, and thus avoid further problems?

Nothing but regrets can be given those who already died in pain but let's spare additional suffering to Billy and especially Ruby who's been in ``lockup'' and will remain in solitary for several years while another prison is being constructed. This is untenable, inhumane and torturous. Solve the problem for everyone's benefit: Let Ruby and Billy go to green pastures.

-- Michele Mooney

Van Nuys

Priorities?

On Page 1 of the July 29 Daily News: ``Beavis and Butt-head Do America'' -- 25th anniversary of MTV.

On Page 13 of the July 29 Daily News: ``Three U.S. Marines killed in Iraq.''

What's wrong with this picture?

-- Janet Pettyjohn

Van Nuys

Israel and Lebanon

Message to Lebanon from U.S. President Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Olmert: ``We must destroy your country in order to save it.''

-- Robert Matano

Redlands