PUBLIC FORUM.

Cannabis regulation

Re ``Chief wants medical-pot moratorium'' (Jan. 16):

Action by the L.A. City Council would have long ago curbed the issues now arising with medical cannabis. Dennis Zine initially brought the issue to the council in June 2005, nearly two years ago. The city has had within its power the ability to pass regulations, which have been proved to work, as well as provide a means of enforcement.

Santa Cruz Councilman Mike Rotkin stated, ``Because they are under strict city regulation, there is less likelihood of theft or violence and less opposition from angry neighbors. It is no longer a controversial issue in our city.'' Resolution therefore means regulations.

-- Amanda Brazel

North Hollywood

Lack of parenting

Re ``Antonio unveils plan for LAUSD'' (Jan. 18):

Mayor Villaraigosa's report is titled ``The Schoolhouse: A Framework to Give Every Child in LAUSD an Excellent Education.'' Sorry, but that is impossible. You can offer it, your can provide the tools for it, but all students must ``get'' their own education.

My parents taught me that ``getting an education'' was the most important thing I could do. Sadly, it seems as though it is not so important anymore. Who is at fault? I don't have that answer, but I have to believe parenting (or lack thereof) has a huge impact.

-- Jerry Goldring

Sherman Oaks

Good parenting

Re ``A cure for gang violence'' and ``Policy keeps document secret'' (Jan. 13):

Both of these articles have one thing in common -- many of these offenders do not have adequate parental supervision. How about enforcing the curfew laws?

In the Devon Brown case, the family should not get one nickel. Had they been doing their job, this child would not have been out on the street at that time of morning. Start with good parenting.

-- Cliff Hall

Chatsworth

Not both ways

Re ``Good for the economy'' (Viewpoint, Jan. 14):

I am confused about which group Gary Jason is talking about. In the headline he states, ``Immigrants are a net plus''; fine. Then in the first paragraph he says the major argument against immigration is about illegal immigrants.

Then he states that the five Nobel laureates say immigration is a net plus for the country. He tries to confuse his readers when he switches arguments between illegal and legal immigrants. He cannot have it both ways.

-- Martin Schiechl

Woodland Hills

Nothing like it

Re: ``Husbands a minority'' (Jan. 16):

I have been blessed to be married for 16-plus years to a man of integrity who puts God and family first. For better and worse, for richer and poorer, in sickness and health -- we have been through it all.

Our parents' marriages showed us that marriage works when you put the other person's interests before your own. To love, honor, cherish and work together 'til death do us part, to leave a legacy you couldn't create alone. Marriage is hard work, but it is so worth it and there is nothing like it.

-- Susan Wesel Ryan

Northridge

Eating exhaust

Re ``Customer convenience up against money, space issues'' (Jan. 19:

In this time of daily discussions of global climate change, and the various possible causes therefor, it is difficult to understand how an article concerning the pros and cons of ``drive-throughs'' can totally fail to even mention the amount of exhaust that is inexcusably spewed from the vehicles waiting in line for the sake of ``convenience.''

-- Jack Ashby

Woodland Hills

Happens all the time

Re ``Mel got a lot wrong'' (Your Opinions, Jan. 12):

Everardo Gonzalez believes that Mel Gibson owes him an apology for offending his culture. I'm sorry, but give me a break. Why is it that so many people think that they are owed an apology. If I feel that I have offended someone, I will apologize; but if someone offends me, and believe me, as a female in the all-male world that I live in, it happens all the time, it's how I choose to deal with it and I say it's their problem, not mine, and I will not let someone else determine how I feel. If this offends anyone -- I apologize.

-- Brenda Shirk 

Moorpark

Dust pollution

Re ``It's not just the noise, but the pollution'' (Local View, Jan. 12):

The writer did a good job on noise and exhaust-emission pollution. But he shortchanged dust pollution as a cause of ``rising asthma rates, especially among children.''

On the island of Trinidad, in the eastern Caribbean, asthma rates among children are directly linked to dust storms in the Sahara desert that blow across the Atlantic Ocean. The main culprit is Lake Chad, which has shrunk to 5 percent of its former vast size. With the dust comes a pernicious form of the aspergillus fungus to which the flare-ups among children can be timed. Don't we live in a desert, one that is over-watered, here and there, from time to time?

-- Albert L. Navarrete

Los Angeles 

Leaf blowers

Re ``It's not just the noise, but the pollution'' (Their Opinions, Jan. 12):

I agree with the author about leaf blowers. They generate a lot of noise and air pollution. I told my gardener last month to blow only when it is really necessary. Now he only blows once or twice a month. So what if the backyard and curb aren't totally dirt-free?

For small yards, homeowners can hire a gardener to work once or twice a month, to cut down the cost and the pollution. It isn't so hard for homeowners to sweep a little bit when needed.

-- Lani Bowen

Woodland Hills

All profit, no loss

Re ``Volunteer army'' (Your Opinions, Jan. 16):

Doris Dent is a very smart lady (I know her). She is fully aware of the fact that our military is all-volunteer. But, in slamming her letter, Joel Chitiea conveniently chose to ignore a key fact: none of the people who lied America into their unnecessary, ill-planned and disastrously executed war against Iraq was risking any of their loved ones' lives ... because no one in their families ever bothers to volunteer. They reap the profits -- and leave the heavy lifting to the rest of us.

-- Marcy Rothenberg

Porter Ranch

By the numbers

So here's how it's going to go: First, we apologize to the Middle East generally and Iraq specifically for destabilizing the region with our unprovoked invasion of Iraq. Second, we invite Iraq's Arab Muslim neighbors, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Jordan, et al. to take over our failed efforts in Iraq, funded entirely by the U.S. with the U.S. dollars already set aside for the war.

Third, we bring all of our troops home. Fourth, Bush and Cheney resign. Lastly, President Pelosi prioritizes the imprisonment, trial and execution of Osama bin Laden.

-- Denis Feehan

Simi Valley 

David Beckham

It's amazing how little $250 million buys nowadays. All you get is an over-the-hill soccer player who has a loyal and adoring following of young women.

Clearly Beckham is not being paid so much for playing soccer but to be a walking campaign billboard to elevate the fruitless hopes of U.S. Major League Soccer. I'm afraid the audience he will reach won't be concerned with soccer and the money is sadly wasted.

-- Michael E. White

Burbank