PUBLIC FORUM.

Islamofacists

Re ``Brits foil terror plot to blow up U.S.-bound jets'' (Aug. 11):

The liquid-explosives approach shows the absolute hopelessness of all defensive strategies against terrorists. They study the defenses and adapt to the weaknesses. If we ban all carry-ons, they will carry glass vials of chemicals in body cavities. There are pairs of chemicals that start intense fires when mixed, with no batteries or electronics required. Separators can be gradually eaten away, allowing the terrorist to leave the plane before it burns in midair.

The only way to defeat Islamofacism is to systematically index every Jihadist and every donor who ever gave them a dime, and kill them where they live. If we don't have the will and determination to pursue that strategy for 30 years, we're going to bleed.

-- Mike Nowland

Simi Valley 

Too convenient

Re ``Brits foil terror plot to blow up U.S.-bound jets'' (Aug. 11):

This ridiculous terrorist plot, coming all too conveniently on the heels of the defeat of a pro-war U.S. senator, is clearly designed by the administration to scare Americans back into line behind the pro-war policy.

What surprises me is that some people do get scared enough to endure anything ``if that's what it takes to keep us safe.'' Don't people realize that if everybody refused to allow their expensive property to be confiscated, this nonsense would stop?

-- Geri A. Mellgren-Kerwin

Burbank

A kiss-up

Re ``Lieberman's qualities'' (Your Opinions, Aug. 11):

So according to Bill Hamburg, Joe Lieberman is ``one of our finest leaders'' and he has ``integrity, intelligence, a comprehension of world politics and an understanding on how to protect our freedoms.'' Now I don't know who he is watching but the Joe Lieberman I know was not a Democrat but a Republican who does nothing but kiss up to the administration.

Congratulations to the people of Connecticut for seeing that.

-- Erik Weinberger

Woodland Hills

Broken promises

Re ``Veterans fighting for promised gym'' (Aug. 11):

Once more Dennis McCarthy has spoken out for the veterans and told it like it really is at the Sepulveda VA. It's shameful that Charles Dormand cannot come through with all the promises of three years ago for the veterans gym. They keep crying poverty, but fail to announce the expenditure of a large amount of funds for some sculptures on the Wadworth Campus that really did nothing for the veterans who are supposed to be taken care of.

Add to this the removal of lunches for those volunteers putting in less than six hours of free time and effort.

-- Adelbert Acevedo

Northridge

Zine responds

Re ``Outsourcing government'' (Our Opinions, Aug. 10):

I wish to clarify the difference between bureaucracy and responsiveness in government. My motion, requesting an ombudsman to assist those who speak at City Council, is neither ridiculous nor bureaucratic. Anyone attending a council meeting knows there is not sufficient time in public comment to allow a full discussion of issues.

In response, I am taking proactive steps toward providing an existing city staffer's assistance in council chambers to make sure that residents' concerns have not gone unnoticed or unheard. In no way is this the creation of red tape, or another level of bureaucracy, as the Daily News has misinterpreted. Rather, it is the cutting of red tape and management of resources specifically geared toward assisting constituents -- not shuttling them out of chambers, unheard and unhelped.

-- Dennis P. Zine 

Councilman

City of Los Angeles 

Panorama City

What happened to Panorama City? So many empty tall buildings, empty restaurants and shabby gated apartment buildings. If we don't do something about this it will spread all over the Valley. What are our high-paid officials doing? Sitting and counting their money? Why doesn't the mayor do a photo op in Panorama City welcoming tourists to our beautiful Los Angeles? What a disgrace.

The officials should take a look at the city of San Fernando. They send out letters to homeowners and tell them to clean their property or it will be done and the homeowner will be charged if they don't comply.

-- Marianne Castro Lawson

Granada Hills

Ethics officer responds

Re ``School lobbyist hits pay dirt,'' (Aug. 7):

LAUSD's current lobbying policy is considered a model policy and scores an A, according to the Center for Public Integrity (the leading think tank on lobbying disclosure). While it's true that our former city of L.A.-based policy scored poorly, it does not serve the public interest to imply that the new policy is ``lax.''

Unlike city and state officials who have a legal requirement to tackle ethics, LAUSD has built our ethics initiative because it's the right thing to do. Along with a few other notable school districts, our district is a pioneer in making a formal commitment to managing ethics in the K-12 environment. Of course, there's always room for improvement and we will continue to seek out ways for ethics to take us higher.

-- Yea-Lan Chiang

LAUSD ethics officer

Wrong language

Re ``Kiss of death'' (Your Opinions, Aug. 11):

Regarding Sol Taylor's letter on the Aug. 9 article ``Lieberman loses primary race,'' I'd like to point out that Taylor's phrase, ``La boche muerta,'' is pure gibberish. ``Boche'' doesn't exist in Italian and ``muerta'' is Spanish. The correct phrase is: ``Il Bacio della Morte,'' I should know, I was born in Italy.

-- Jason Miranda Levi

Northridge

Love of art?

Re ``'32 mural timelier than ever'' (Their Opinions, Aug. 10):

L.A. spending $3.75 million to restore a 1932 mural from a ``militant Mexican communist'' is outrageous. Imagine the outcry if that was spent restoring some Nazi art. Communism caused the death of more than 80 million people through starvation, forced evacuation, prison camps, exterminations, etc., and yet the enlightened Michael Baradi and the oh-so-open-minded Antonio Villaraigosa are excited about restoring this mural.

Baradi is actually encouraged that a mural like this ``can inspire people to be militant.'' As if we needed to encourage militant behavior in Los Angeles. We have some of the most violent schools in the country. Surely there are better uses of taxpayer dollars and better ways to encourage love of art and peace among different cultures.

-- Carolynn Jones

Thousand Oaks 

Friends and enemies

Re ``Seeing the truth'' (Your Opinions, Aug. 10):

Yes, Alex Bey, the American people see the truth about Israel. When it retreats from Lebanon, that territory is then used as a base for attacking Israel, ditto the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces target those firing at them, and civilians are hit because they are close by, but the terrorists rocket population centers where there is no military target.

What you call a double standard is differentiation between friends and enemies. We help those who help us with vital intelligence, vote with us consistently in the U.N., respect our values, emulate our way of life, rejoice with us and grieve with us.

-- Louis Richter

Encino

Amplified church

Right now the law in Los Angeles exempts churches from noise ordinances. The church near my house put up an amplified sound system that blasts bells, organ music and chimes four times a day every day of the week for sometimes 15 minutes at a time. I asked my councilman, Ed Reyes, to change the law and he said no.

I am not against churches, but limits need to be put in place. Quality of life needs to be considered. Most churches will be considerate. However, there are a few that are bad neighbors, so limits need to be put in place for those few. What can I do when the bullhorns go off all day long? And LAPD cannot do a thing about it. How do you like that?

-- Susan Rocha

Los Angeles