PUBLIC FORUM.

Channeling aggression

I noticed an interesting juxtaposition on Wednesday's front page: gang violence and the rigorous new street gymnastics, Parkour. Every society from the cave man on has had to deal with the same question -- how to channel the aggressive nature of young men. Solutions have included war, the hunt, and fraternity hazing. At the moment, the ``civilized'' prefer to ignore the problem altogether. Hence gangs, date rape and numerous other social evils.

To me, Parkour looks like just the ticket. Require youths to train in this discipline and they will gain physical coordination, male bonding and maybe even applause. It beats gangs.

-- Sylvia Alloway

Granada Hills

A shame and a sham

Re ```Attic' almost eludes anti-mansion rules'' (Jan. 3), ``View from the Valley'' (Jan. 4):

I applaud Kerry Cavanaugh's reporting, as well as Patrick O'Connor's related cartoon showing two homes dwarfed by a monstrous middle one. This mansionization of homes by greedy developers and/or selfish homeowners is not limited to Sunland-Tujunga. I commend their law in an effort to fight the problem, but it does not go far enough. It should be more restrictive and inclusive of all single-story homes.

My parents own their home of 50 years. How unjust it is that a second story now looms next door with a direct view into their home and yard, as well as reduces their property's value. A shame and a sham, one which should be forcibly outlawed.

-- Jeanine D'Elia

Granada Hills

The Plant

Your ``Biz Buzz'' column on Monday, Jan. 1, reported real estate activity at the Voit/Selleck development in Van Nuys and Panorama City, except that the column twice referred to it as ``The Plan.'' The correct name of the development is ``The Plant,'' referring of course to its location on the site of the old General Motors plant.

-- Jan Brown 

Panorama City

The wrong sermon

Re ```Sermon' wrong on city Web site'' (Their Opinions, Jan. 4):

Daniel Guss mentions that the word ``evil'' was used 16 times on a city Web site. A clue to you, Guss, it is evil to mistreat and be cruel to animals. So what bothers him more? The word evil and its religious origin or the fact that someone would have the audacity to use that word?

He complains that someone who would dare invoke religion or God on a government Web site is both ``intolerable and unconstitutional.'' No, Guss, it's you who is intolerable. He states the city posted embarrassing ``misogynistic ads'' from Hooters' failed fundraiser for animals. No, the embarrassment is how the city backed out of the fundraiser because young, pretty women dared to try and do the right thing.

-- Jon Secrist

Westlake Village

The good, the bad ...

Re ``Congress in hands of Dems today'' (Jan. 4):

Good news: A bunch of deficit-spending, opportunity-wasting, big government-loving politicians were not returned to their jobs this week. Bad news: They were replaced by Democrats.

-- Edward Bowers

Regional representative, Libertarian Party of the San Fernando Valley 

Breaking the law

Re ``Slip-sliding away'' (Your Opinions, Jan. 5):

Do you also recall that Richard Nixon broke the laws he swore to uphold? That if he hadn't resigned he would have been brought to trial? Bill Clinton didn't break any law when he messed around with a woman other than his wife; he only broke the law when he lied about what he did.

Did Clinton escalate a war behind our backs? I wish Nixon had cheated on his wife, rather than cheat on his employers.

-- Sue Smith

Canyon Country

It's not too late

Before I die, I want to find out if Publishers Clearing House really pays off -- or is a big scam.

-- Tony Giger

Los Angeles