PUBLIC FORUM.

Disgusted discourse

Re ``Neighborhood councils put up too much fight'' (Nov. 21):

Civil discourse has morphed into civil ``discoarse.'' We should have seen it coming when the City Council had to ``gag'' citizen spokesmen who couldn't cogently express their concerns and resorted to shouting and unbecoming language.

Our elected officials better start listening to and doing something about the ever increasing civic discontent and frustration over gang violence, giving themselves outrageous pay raises, wasting tax dollars, imposing excessive taxes and fees, fraud, corruption, overcrowding, traffic congestion and myriad quality-of-life issues.

-- Sandy Sand

West Hills

Runaway giveaway

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

Your editorial is right on the mark. The mayor is finally waking up to the runaway/giveaway attitude of L.A.'s attorneys and council members. They run away from anything controversial requiring logic and decision making that would benefit the taxpayers. They're experts at avoiding political controversy by the giveaway of what's not theirs or what's not visible today; they're mortgaging several generations of taxpayers.

Too bad the mayor didn't stand up to the DWP union's exorbitant wage demands with a similar veto shortly after he took office. Public-employee pension liability needs a good analysis by Laura Chick. Better late than never.

-- Joe Saline

Woodland Hills

Rampaging driver

Re ``Probation in market rampage'' (Nov. 21):

The public is already paying for George Weller's health care through Medicare and his incarceration costs are similar to the Social Security he is currently receiving gratis simply by living longer than the average male. There are 10 families who will never see one of their family members again; the least we could do is ensure Weller not be allowed to see his family every day as well.

-- Philip Brooks

Thousand Oaks 

UTLA responds

Re ``LAUSD in limbo'' (Our Opinions, Nov. 20):

You neglect to make clear who stands in the way of true reform in LAUSD: the fat cats who waste millions on the bureaucracy every year that should go to the classroom. They'll protect their fiefdoms at all costs. What's happening at Parkman is a perfect example. With the support of UTLA, the teachers there put together an innovative, charter-like plan to bring more local control to their school, but they've been frustrated at every turn by the intransigent LAUSD bureaucracy.

That's why UTLA -- in addition to pushing for lower class sizes, more school-site decision making, and other proven reforms -- is fighting to dismantle the ever-growing LAUSD bureaucracy. Any reform is doomed to fail if LAUSD keeps overspending on the bureaucracy.

-- A.J. Duffy

UTLA president

A man's trade

Re ``Insult to both sexes'' (Your Opinions, Nov. 17):

After leaving an abusive husband, I had the choice of becoming a waitress or a carpenter: equally demanding jobs, but the pay disparity convinced me to choose the latter. I've been a carpenter for 22 years and have encountered a few jerks, but that goes along with any career. I discovered reserves of strength and self-respect, and my children can hang a door or install an electrical outlet. I've never regretted working in a ``man's'' trade.

-- Jennifer Rabuchin

Burbank

Doing the job better

Re ``Insult to both sexes'' (Your Opinions, Nov. 17):

Joan Kelly writes that, ``A desire to pursue a certain career should be driven by aptitude and interest, not by gender.'' You are absolutely right. Unfortunately, too many women are being hired into historically male-dominated professions, including the LAFD, simply because they are female, not because they can do the job as well as, or better than, the next ``guy.''

-- Jennifer Finn

North Hills