PUBLIC FORUM.

Such slackers

Re ``Unlimited arrogance at City Hall'' (Mariel Garza column, Aug. 6):

Mariel's article nailed most of my concerns and should be required reading for these self-serving wannabe autocrats.

Some things she didn't specifically mention were: their determination that we peons merit only one minute of speaking time while a former council member -- namely, Jackie Goldberg -- should be treated as an exception and accorded five minutes, and that many -- or even most -- of these employees of ours routinely arrive at council meetings late and then, rather than listen to the individuals (their constituents, perhaps?) who have taken the time and trouble to show up to speak, these arrogant members talk on their cell phones or talk to each other and their staffers, etc., rather than listen to the public they are supposed to represent.

-- Diane E. Pfahler

Woodland Hills

Not a victim

Re ``Immigrant beats the odds'' (July 7):

The remarkable, heartwarming, inspiring story of how a destitute single mother went from being a very low-paid garment factory worker to becoming the co-owner of a beauty salon should be posted on the bulletin boards of every housing project in the state.

Maria Villalobos, because of her strong character, is a victor not a victim of her own economic hurricane, unlike so many others.

-- Everett P. Harrington

Glendale

Didn't need to see it

Re ``Fired up at the Coliseum'' (Aug. 7):

Just what I needed to see over breakfast: some nearly naked fat guy -- with his big belly hanging down over his pants at crotch level (is he wearing a thong?) and wearing what looks like a terrorist mask -- surrounded by his pals as they all set off smoke bombs in the Coliseum and create what is surely both a health and fire hazard. Maybe this macho display belongs in sports, but please, not dead center on the front page of the paper!

-- Jan Brown 

Panorama City

Mel Gibson cartoon

Re ``View From the Valley'' (Aug. 6):

The Aug. 6 political cartoon by Patrick O'Connor is an obscenity of anti-Israel (or anti-Semitic) positioning, which if directed against other groups -- such as African-Americans, Hispanics, the handicapped, etc. -- would not be given space in this newspaper.

How can the remarks of a drunken celebrity, whether or not they reflect his true sentiments, even remotely be connected to the reaction of a country that for decades has had to withstand attacks on its civilian population, often unanswered? Moreover, it is disrespectful of the civilian victims of all persuasions in the Middle East whose tragedy is directly due to terrorists whose means of operation involve noncombatants.

-- Harris S. Goldman

Tarzana

Freedom to challenge

Re ``Kansans oust conservative school trustees'' (Aug. 4):

The freedom to challenge scientific theories is necessary for science to continue forward. This includes evolutionary theory. The guidelines set by the conservative majority of the school board, which mandated that evolutionary theory be subject to criticism and not necessarily that intelligent design be taught, were important for the intellectual growth of the students by exposing them to a wider range of mainstream views from respected scientists.

If evolutionary theory is no longer allowed to be criticized in the classroom, then it has stepped beyond the threshold of science and into the realm of religious dogma. This ``victory'' for Darwinists can only be a defeat for science, and the students will be the ones to pay the price.

-- Rodger Jensen

Northridge

Hoops responsibility

I, literally, have played thousands of games of football, baseball, Frisbee, hide-and-seek, catch and you name it in the street when growing up -- sometimes, especially in the summer, with no light except from the street lamp. We ran into cars, and balls hit and dented them. Baseballs broke windows. Kids got countless scrapes and bruises, as well as teeth knocked out on curbs. Hello. We were kids growing up.

We moved out of the way of oncoming cars, and naturally we and our parents took responsibility for any damages or injuries that occurred -- just as we did if someone got hurt at a public park. Basketball requires a hoop. So what's the difference if some kids are throwing a football, hitting a baseball or shooting a basketball? The parents?

-- John Miller

Chatsworth

It wasn't Fox News

Re ``Over-the-hill hippies'' (Your Opinions, Aug. 6):

Jeff Clark writes of his surprise at the political opinion being expressed at the recent Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young concert. He then goes on to express doubt that the people he has labeled over-the-hill hippies -- the Righties love labels -- read the paper.

Jeff, did you bother to read the concert review in the Daily News U section? The review and the included concert playlist gave readers a very good idea of what to expect, and the show lived up to those expectations. Tell the truth, Jeff. Your real complaint was having to listen to an opinion other than your own. Next time, stay home and watch Fox News.

-- Kevin Teller

Woodland Hills

Read your ticket

Re ``Over-the-hill hippies'' (Your Opinions, Aug. 6):

I, too, was at the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young concert, and it was you who didn't read -- either your ticket or the write-up of this CSNY tour. This tour is the Freedom of Speech Tour '06. I expected the incredible musicians in CSNY to share their political views, which have been their driving force for years.

-- Judi DeBilzan

Granada Hills

A proven fact

Re ``Ignored racial slur'' (Your Opinions, Aug. 6):

Mohammad Alhinnawi compares Bill O'Reilly's statement ``While it is politically incorrect to say that all Muslims are terrorists, unfortunately, it's true that all terrorists are Muslims'' to the baseless words allegedly uttered by Mel Gibson against Jews. Alhinnawi complains that Gibson is condemned by the media while O'Reilly is not.

Let me explain why this is the case: O'Reilly simply stated the fact that all terrorist organizations are Muslim-based, while Gibson voiced a very disagreeable and mean-spirited personal opinion. Why should the media ask for an O'Reilly apology for reciting a proven fact?

-- Charles L. Murray

Santa Clarita 

The answer is simple

Re ``Blind support for Israel'' (Your Opinions, Aug. 6):

Israel is not conducting a ``murderous campaign against Lebanese and Palestinian civilians.'' Israelis are defending themselves in the only way Hezbollah and Hamas have left them. The Israelis pulled out of Lebanon six years ago, and still the attacks continued. They pulled out of Gaza, and the attacks continued.

Hezbollah fires rockets and stores munitions in residential neighborhoods, then whines when the civilians that they leave in those locations are killed. The answer is simple: Stop attacking Israel, and your civilian populations will be safe from Israel.

-- Keith Gurian

Granada Hills

No wimps allowed

Re ``Do this, then whine'' (Your Opinions, July 27):

Yay for Christine Martinson for telling it like it is. Maybe all those spineless, wimpy writers and employees at the Daily News could apply for this job. Of course there are no water coolers, air conditioning, doughnuts, coffee pots or desks at the top of a 60-foot pole.

No ties, high heels, nylons, suits or cell phones. Long-sleeve shirts, safety glasses, rubber gloves and hard hats only. Must be able to sweat and work 16 hours daily. By the way, did the Daily News lose power?

-- Mark McCaw

Reseda