PUBLIC FORUM.

Two for us

Well, praise the Lord, hush my mouth and similar expressions of gratified surprise. There is still such a thing as united public outrage and it can actually change official minds. There were two headlines on Tuesday's front page that drew my attention -- one on the News Corp. decision to deny O.J. Simpson the privilege of cashing in on the laws of double jeopardy; the other concerning the mayor's veto of the inflated firefighter prank settlement. Both these moves responded to the righteous anger of ordinary people.

The general populace may disagree on what constitutes a marriage, a war or an Oscar-winning movie, but we are united in our indignation over one thing -- bare-faced money grubbing. Right on, citizens!

-- Sylvia Alloway

Granada Hills

O.J. deal

Re ``Outcries kill O.J.'s deal for TV, book'' (Nov. 21):

My faith has been somewhat restored in the media since News Corp. decided not to publish and share O.J.'s latest ``confession.'' You can bet O.J. received a chunk of money up front for this and, as the Goldman family never received a dime from the civil case, good luck, News Corp., in retrieving your advance. Yes, they have lost a ``small fortune.''

-- Veronica Brice

Sherman Oaks

The real reason

Re ``Mayor vetoes hazing payoff'' (Nov. 21):

To the discerning reader, the remarks by Councilman Jack Weiss speak volumes on why the City Council wants to sweep the $2.7 million fire station prank, actually ongoing pranks and hazing, it turns out, under the rug. Weiss said: ``I still think it's a very tricky case to try and I think that's why the city attorney recommended settlement.''

Now this is the really good part: ``It still involves explosive allegations on both sides.'' The council knows that their oversight of city departments and their holding of city employees accountable has been dismal. Why air embarrassing details publicly? Instead, just settle to keep the the ``explosive allegations'' quiet.

-- Michael N. Cohen 

Reseda

Punish, not payoff

Re ``Wag the dog (food)'' (Our Opinions, Nov. 21):

Instead of punishing the taxpayers by awarding Tennie Pierce $2.7 million, why not punish the city workers who participated in the prank? Then discipline Pierce for the hazing pranks he participated in. Where has the concept of personal responsibility gone? Why is it always someone else's (the city) fault?

-- Shoron Moran

Northridge

The wrong call

Re ``L.A. blacks say racism raising its head again'' (Nov. 22):

Today's news tells us that many black community leaders see racism in the firefighter dog-food incident and the O.J. Simpson Fox debacle and the Michael Richards meltdown. Here's some facts: Whenever anyone eats a hot dog or bologna, they are essentially eating dog food (unless it's a Dodger Dog). If O.J. Simpson was blue, he would still be guilty, and if Michael Richards had been heckled by a Martian, he still might have gone off. He seems like he was due.

You want racism, then remember New Orleans. If it was white people dying at the Superdome the entire U.S. fleet would have been there within hours.

-- Chuck Heinold

West Hills

Protest this

I find it strange that Christian families protest Wal-Mart's affiliation to the National Gay Chamber of Commerce while conveniently ignoring the fact that Wal-Mart was and is the guiding light of outsourcing American manufacturing jobs out of this country.

-- Dante F. Rochetti

West Hills

Anorexia defended

Re ```Thin' documents deadly obsession'' (U, Nov. 13)

This ``deadly obsession'' article implies that people that resort to anorexia will likely becomes addicts, and that a ``slow suicide'' is often inevitable. Addictive-prone people -- a very, very small percentage of population -- can become addicted. But obese people -- with their overactive metabolisms -- will continue to sustain body nourishment, even if addicted.

Anorexia limits the amount of nutrients absorbed into the cardiovascular system by shortening the time digested food spends in the small intestines. When absorbed nutrients fall short of body requirements, stored nutrients (fats) are drawn from throughout the body, reducing body weight -- while maintaining body health.

-- Fred Coble 

North Hills

Fitting tribute

Re ``School takes root at Ambassador'' (Nov. 21):

How soon we forget. I think we should name the Belmont fiasco after Roy Romer. As a taxpayer and parent, that's the only ``accomplishment'' I attribute to him.

-- Susan Mueller

Granada Hills

NoHo building boom

Re ``East Valley development starts to bloom'' (Nov. 20):

As a North Hollywood resident for over 16 years, I am delighted that redevelopment plans are finally coming to fruition in my community. Yes, there will probably be more traffic, but the construction of many new multifamily units, new stores and a brand-new supermarket, plus office space, will be a much-needed boost to North Hollywood.

Joel Kotkin, however, states that my community is ``not as nice as Sherman Oaks or Studio City.'' Is that a reason the city should not invest here? Why should the city put more money into areas that don't need it?

-- Susan Pasternak

North Hollywood

Dollar coins

Re ``U.S. Mint to issue new $1 coins'' (Nov. 20):

The forthcoming presidential dollar coins will meet the same fate as the previous two attempts to make Americans abandon their paper dollars. The Susan B. Anthony and Sacagawea coins are mostly languishing in Treasury vaults. The new dollar coins will suffer from two serious flaws: first, most people who want them will hoard them and unless the Bureau of Engraving and Printing stops making paper dollars, the dollar coins will not catch on.

Canada got rid of its paper dollars by stopping printing them and Canadians are used to their Loon dollar coins and the newer Polar Bear $2 coins. Great Britain got rid of its one-pound notes many years ago and the one-pound coin circulates readily along with the newer two-pound coin. Just wait and see.

-- Sol Taylor

Sherman Oaks

Heavy money

Re ``U.S. Mint to issue new $1 coins'' (Nov. 20):

Will the U.S. Mint never learn its lessons? The American public has rejected one-dollar coins in the past and most likely will do so again with the forthcoming presidents dollars. The Susan B. Anthony and Sacagawea dollars were shunned by the public. Even fifty-cent pieces are avoided.

We don't like heavy money weighing down our pockets and purses. It's fine for collectors, but not the general public. Come on, Mint: Wake up and hear us.

-- Kenneth Green

Burbank

The next level

I believe this is my first ``Old Coot'' letter to the editor, so you might want to do your best ``Grampa McCoy'' imitation as you read it. If you don't know Grampa McCoy, this letter is probably about you: People waiting in line for hours and days for a new video-gaming system? Hiring the homeless to stand in line at multiple stores? Somebody killed in the mania?

Looks like we finally made it to the ``next level,'' as gamers say. Another step in the devolution toward our existence as self-indulgent, cynical, instantly gratifying beings with massive thumbs and tiny brains.

-- Larry Zamora

West Hills