PUBLIC FORUM.

Vietnam memorial

Re "Writing on the wall" (McCarthy column, June 20):

As the son of a Vietnam combat veteran, I grew up with a dad who talked of the lighthearted stories during his tour. Several years ago, however, a discussion about M-16s led to my father and I searching the Internet for information about his unit. After reuniting him with old friends and with families of those lost, I noticed a distinct sadness about those times.

Perhaps old men soften; perhaps they choose to protect their children from the reality of war. Whichever the case, I just want to say this is one Gen Xer who won't forget your sacrifices. Thank you, Dad ... thank you, veterans.

-- Donovan Weir

Chatsworth

Sorry don't cut it

Re "I'm sorry" (June 19):

It appears that, when he realized that he was caught at it, City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo finally admitted that his wife had driven his assigned city vehicle. Even then, he qualified his apology by claiming that there was an "ambiguity in city policy," as if that could somehow excuse the problem.

I drove an assigned city vehicle for over 15 years and not once did I notice any ambiguity in policy. Plainly and simply, family members were not authorized to drive the city car and, therefore, did not drive the city car. Every city of Los Angeles law enforcement officer knows this. Is it too much to expect the city's highest ranking lawyer to know it?

-- Bernard J. Wilson

Chief of Airport Police, retired

Granada Hills

This has to stop

Re "I'm sorry" (June 19):

In order to prevent future abuses such as those exhibited by Rocky Delgadillo, I propose that all public servants be treated equally and receive the same benefits. As a deputy probation officer (since retired), I had to provide a vehicle to perform my duties. Such included visiting victims in their homes and probationers in custody. I had to use my own car, which I insured and paid for. The county reimbursed me at the then-rate of 32 cents per mile. This covered only mileage accumulated within the scope of my official duties. The county insured me only when I drove on county business, not when I was off work.

Unfortunately, county and municipal department heads and others in high positions are given vehicles at taxpayers' expense. This has to stop.

-- Harry Nieves

Sylmar

Out of our bedrooms

Re "Assemblyman has skills to push odd bills"(June 19):

I do not understand Assemblyman Lloyd Levine's push to spay and neuter man's best friend, as the often stated goals of the Democrats is "to keep government out of the bedrooms" ... of our pets.

-- Sidney Gold

Granada Hills

Doing unto others 

Re "Ten Commandments for motorists" (June 20):

Instead of issuing the "Ten Commandments for motorists," I believe the Vatican City Office for Migrants and Itinerant People would be more effective if it would just keep reminding motorists of God's words about love of neighbor as one loves himself or about the golden rule -- doing unto others as you would like others to do unto you -- or about obedience to government authorities. All these reminders come from the Holy Bible.

-- Mario Surla

Culver City 

Everest highway

Re "Highway planned to Mount Everest" (Briefly, June 19):

Is nothing sacred anymore? Everest is a revered place for the Tibetan people and a natural wonder. Will man stop at nothing to rape and destroy our natural resources? Twenty million dollars to build a road so that a one-time Olympic torch relay can happen? Does anyone else find this ludicrous and disgusting? Does China have nothing better to spend $20 million on?

Man has already trashed this beautiful mountain by not taking off what they take onto the mountain. Now, it will even be worse. It will now be easier for man to get to the base of this majestic beauty, and be assured there will be the idiots who think that they can now climb the entire mountain because it is so easy to get to base camp.

-- Karen Cross

Granada Hills

Not thinking clearly

Re "President behind Abbas" (June 20):

After reading that Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has decided to have "no dialogue with murderous terrorists in Hamas," I'm wondering the following: Do you think Abbas would benefit from a breakfast meeting with Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Barak Obama, John Edwards, et al., about not emulating Israel and George Bush when it comes to not "talking" to your enemies?

I'm sure after meeting with these American politicians, Abbas will realize dialogue and diplomacy is all that's missing from finally solving the disputes between Fatah and Hamas. And of course, this would also make his afternoon lunch with Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy so much more pleasurable.

-- Stephen Wagner

Valencia

Amazing abilities

Re "Gateway jobs" (Your Opinions, June, 20):

Jennifer Rabuchin must have been some kind of carpenter back in the day. Just driving by a construction site she's able to tell that "... only Hispanics working there" are illegal, nonunion, unskilled and underpaid.

She can even identify them as Hispanics. I probably couldn't even find Hispania on a map.

-- Jim Farrell

North Hills

Animal protection

It seems that most of the people protesting the AB 1634 bill are people who want to breed their dogs with no laws or interference from anyone. Breeding and selling an animal is a business, and just like any other business in California you need to have a license and take some responsibility for what you sell.

Every year more than half a million animals are put to death in California animal shelters. When an animal is taken to the shelter, it is kept for one week, and then killed. Gov. Schwarzenegger wants to shorten this waiting period to three days to save money on keeping and feeding the animals. It seems very obvious that people are not taking responsibility for their pets. Something has to be done to stop this cruel behavior.

-- Kathryn O'Hearn

Lancaster

We invaded them

Well, now more politicians are coming out with the trite phrase "the Iraqi government is not cooperating." Good grief! We invaded them, for heaven's sake. Seems that this administration is the bad sport. So why don't we just pick up our marbles and go home?

-- Laverne Williams

Van Nuys

Dodger scoreboard

Frank McCourt needs to get rid of that scoreboard in right field before another Dodger suffers a horrific injury. First, Matt Kemp in April and James Loney on Sunday. What is more important to you, McCourt -- statistics or the future of your ballclub? You have a week. Get to work, install some padding, save your team.

-- Bruce Christensen

Northridge

Mistakes were made?

Re "I'm sorry" (June 19):

I guess Rocky's off the hook now that he said he's sorry. Hey, he's only human and makes mistakes just like everyone else. This is, after all, L.A., the land of O.J., Robert Blake, Damian Williams and a slew of others who "just made a mistake."

-- Dana Wyatt

Santa Monica

Goose is cooked

As for Rocky Delgadillo, stick a fork in him. He's done.

-- Billy Bauman

Van Nuys