PUBLIC FORUM.

`Freedom?'

Re ``U.S. military deaths reach 2,000 in Iraq'' (Oct. 26):

What the hell is wrong with you people? I'm all for honoring our troops. I'm an ex-Marine myself. But why are you perpetuating the big lie of the Bush criminals? Why couldn't you say our soldiers died in service to their country? Why say they died for ``freedom''? They did not.

Since when has this mission been about freedom? This pretending to force democracy in Iraq is an afterthought. It's a good cover story for propagandists, and you damn well know it. We have sham elections going on in this country because of these war-mongering, criminal neocons. Who are we to spread democracy? ``Freedom''? Do you really think that many of us are that stupid?

- James Galavich

Sherman Oaks

Leftist propaganda

Re ``U.S. military deaths reach 2,000 in Iraq'' (Oct. 26):

You know, if I thought it was healthy to be bombarded on a daily basis with leftist/socialist propaganda, I'd subscribe to that other left wing rag: the Los Angeles Times. Your front cover today was the last straw.

- Robert E. Bechtold

Burbank

Freedom is not free

Re ``U.S. military deaths reach 2,000 in Iraq'' (Oct. 26):

Just wanted to add one more voice of thanks for your courageous and inspiring tribute to those who followed the passion of their hearts and gave their all to let freedom ring throughout this world.

I'm sure many who have criticized are also the first to whine and wail when they experience even the slightest discomfort or deprivation of the instant gratification we believe is our birthright as Americans. Freedom is not free, and we should fall to our knees and thank our brave soldiers and their families for the sacrifices they have made and are still willing to make for even the most cowardly among us.

- Phyllis Daugherty

Los Angeles 

Liberal agenda

Re ``U.S. military deaths reach 2,000 in Iraq'' (Oct. 26):

Once again the Daily News has shown more liberal stripes (or columns) than the Los Angeles Times. You chose to memorialize the 2,000 dead soldiers by giving them the full front page plus numerous other pages inside. Conservatives believe the 100th death was just as significant.

These men and women volunteered to serve their country - and indeed have given their lives for liberty and democracy. You gave no headlines to the confirmation of the Iraqi constitution, the result of these sacrifices. The only mention I saw of the vote was on Page 13: ``Bush tries to boost support.'' Your liberal-leaning agenda is again apparent. Strike 2.

- Jo Anne Fogarty

Los Angeles

Blunder and boondoggle 

Re ``Rail system'' and ``Cheap seats'' (Your Opinions, Oct. 25):

I'm afraid that the future will prove the Orange Line busway to be the worst blunder and boondoggle in Los Angeles transit history. No, make that the second worst; abolition of the Red Car lines is No. 1.

The busway signals are not defined and are too close to the main intersection lights. By the time you see a busway red light, with a separate limit line, you are already bungling into the busway. I saw an elderly lady in a Buick turn slowly onto the busway. The ``Do not enter'' signs are way too high to be in the line of sight. The next time I need to visit a vacant lot in North Hollywood and feel like walking miles to the Warner Center station or parking my car all day in an unsecured lot, I will ride the Orange Line.

- Charles L. Murray

Santa Clarita 

Missed opportunity

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority missed a great opportunity in getting folks to ride the new Orange Line. There is still no adequate transportation in the Canoga Park area for an entire group of people who would have made use of the Orange Line. Instead, the old Union Pacific right-of-way along Canoga Avenue has been covered over with ugly used-car lots, trash, etc.

Just imagine what an improvement it would have been if the Orange Line had continued all the way to the Amtrak/Metro station in Chatsworth. Canoga Avenue would have become an attractive, welcoming area, with bikeways, walkways, beautiful plants, etc. But then, Canoga Park seems to be at the bottom of everyone's list when it come to improvements.

- Tina Nupuf

Canoga Park

A legal product

Re ``Liability bill would shield gun makers'' (Oct. 20):

Let me see if I've got this right: Brad Sherman believes that the manufacturer of a legal product, legally sold, can be sued if the product is subsequently used in an illegal manner. It will be interesting to read the gobbledygook he will put in his letter of rebuttal. Oh, I forgot, his reason for voting against the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act was so that some of his constituents can do just that.

- Roger T. Stephens Sr.

Winnetka

Manufacturer liability

Re ``Tort-proof'' (Your Opinions, Oct. 25):

Sol Taylor failed to make his point when he compared the liability of the gun industry with that of the auto industry. Suing a car manufacturer for product deficiency is not the same as suing a gun manufacturer for someone's misuse of a gun.

Does Taylor think it would be OK for the victims who were intentionally run over in Las Vegas recently to sue the manufacturer of the car the crazed driver used?

- Hal Netkin

North Hollywood

Can't manage money

Re ``No on Measure Y'' (Editorial, Oct. 23):

It is time for the public to derail the grandiose and reckless spending practices of the Los Angeles Unified School District superintendent, Roy Romer, and vote no on Measure Y. Under Romer's guidance, district officials have clearly demonstrated that they are unable to manage public money. A significant portion of past bond funds was wasted and lost due to corruption and inefficiency.

Has he considered - or revealed to the public - how he plans to finance the staffing, operation and maintenance of all these new classrooms? In addition to his legacy as America's master builder, Romer will also be remembered as the one who burdened the current and future taxpayers with extreme new taxes for many years to come.

- Mort Arditti

Los Angeles

Deprived Brentwood

Re ``Bush motorcade leaves other folks fuming'' (Oct. 22):

It is a shame that the administration, teachers and parents of Kenter Canyon Elementary in Brentwood do not keep up on current events. The Daily News and radio news had been advising the public for days before the president's arrival that the 405 Freeway/Sunset area could be closed to provide a secure route if the president's motorcade required it.

As a charitable act, let all San Fernando Valley subscribers to the Daily News just add one dime to our subscription payments so that the paper can be sent to that deprived school in poor, deprived Brentwood.

- Carol Milton

Woodland Hills

A better lottery

The SuperLotto Plus commission requires drastic changes in payoffs and personnel. We need people with a better vision in order to have a better lottery, making it more realistic as well as more attractive. One needs only to see the decline in SuperLotto Plus and the gain in the Mega Millions.

The payoffs are too inadequate and should be in closer proximity to the top - i.e., six figures for second place, five figures for third place, four figures for fourth place, three figures for fifth place and two figures for sixth-through-ninth places. And, yes, this would reduce the top prize, but the state would benefit with more customers. No one expects to hit the jackpot.

- Rocco Cortez

Sylmar