PUBLIC FORUM.

Rewarding terrorism

Re ``Animal manager gets axed'' (Dec. 16):

So the message is clear. If you don't like a government official, terrorize him and his family. Don't like the liberal replacement either, just smoke-bomb his house too. Keep the pressure up on the dumbfounded mayor as well, hounding him and chanting at all his press conferences. Villaraigosa, just out of curiosity, would you have handed over the keys to the USA after 9-11 as well? What's the difference? Terrorism, whether its eco, PETA, religion, or whatever, needs to be stopped. The bad guys just got another victory. Thanks, Antonio.

- Peter Bodner

Thousand Oaks 

A new hope

Re ``Animal house'' (Editorial, Dec. 16):

It is unfair to characterize all those opposed to the city's previous general manager of Animal Services as extremists. It's simply not true. Mayor Villaraigosa is to be congratulated for his appointment of an experienced director, Ed Boks, who brings with him a new hope for the lives of our shelter animals.

- Bill Dyer

Venice

Animal extremists

Re ``Animal house'' (Editorial, Dec 16):

Finally! An editorial that does not kowtow to the animal extremists. Political correctness has everyone scared to death of them. This editorial was courageous, intelligent and long overdue. Thank you, Daily News.

- Laverne Williams

Van Nuys

Going downhill

Re ``Officials suspend two LAUSD officers'' (Briefly, Dec. 16):

Excessive force by LAUSD police? This story is proof positive about why this country is going downhill regarding the discipline of our youths. The story shows a school cop punching a student twice and asks the question why the officer had to use excessive force on this child. Roy Romer said the officer would be investigated for excessive force. Roy never once said the student may have caused this situation and is being investigated or is suspended until it is determined if an infraction has occurred.

Protecting these young punk, gangbanging, hand-sign-waving and graffiti-painting jerks should be listed as a criminal offense punishable by termination of employment. This includes Romer.

- Michael C. Hines

West Hills

Died an honest man

I am sick and tired of people saying that ``Tookie got what he deserved.'' Tookie was a scapegoat in a system that is severely flawed. Because Arnold lost all of his propositions at the ballot and his popularity is at an all-time low, he needed a political comeback, and what person could serve that purpose? Tookie.

How about incompetence during the actual execution? Needles were inserted and reinserted, taking a total of almost 22 minutes before it was done ``right'' with Tookie dying shortly thereafter. As far as the ``overwhelming evidence'' against Tookie, where was the DNA? Tookie was well aware that admitting ``guilt'' could possibly save his life. Rather, he chose to tell the truth even if it cost him his life. He died an honest man, in my view. May he rest in peace.

- Sophia Sherman

Sherman Oaks

Justice, not race

Re ``In their name'' (Your Opinions, Dec. 16):

Myrna Hill stated ``perhaps vengeful whites' blood lust will be satisfied'' by Tookie William's execution. Williams founded an organization responsible for the deaths of more African-Americans than the Ku Klux Klan. The Crips' horrible transgressions had virtually no impact on ``white'' communities, but have devastated black communities. Despite these facts, the NAACP fought vigorously to oppose Tookie Williams' execution. They ignored his substance and made their decisions based on the color of his skin - the very definition of racism.

California has executed 12 people in the last quarter century. Nine were white. Is it fair to say that the execution of nine white criminals was done to satisfy the blood lust of African-Americans? This is not an issue of race, but of justice.

- Chris Bennett

Chatsworth