PUBLIC FORUM.

Field lab contamination

Re ``Contamination crisis'' (Editorial, Feb. 6):

Surprise, Surprise! Two more studies show that residents living near the former nuclear and rocket fuel research site at Santa Susana have elevated incidences of nearly all types of cancer. In fact, there is an even higher occurrence of melanoma and bladder cancers. Workers at this site who handle radiation had higher rates of cancer than the general public at large.

It shouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the cause of all this cancer in our Mideast. I suppose they will keep doing studies while the contamination spreads throughout our Valley and the cancer rate increases.

- Ron Ellis 

La Tuna Canyon

Scare tactics 

Re ``Contamination crisis'' (Editorial, Feb. 6):

Oh, joy! Here comes the first of another round of Daily News self- congratulation and ``the sky is falling'' editorials regarding the Santa Susana Field Lab contamination issue. You extrapolate from two more studies (that reach no firm conclusions but recommend further study) and call for dramatic, if unspecified, cleanup action.

This is a record standing conclusion jump. As an unreasonably healthy resident of the immediate area for over 40 years and a Rocketdyne Santa Susana Field Laboratory employee from 1955 to 1964, I find your scare tactics insulting and repugnant.

- Paul Coffman 

West Hills

Effective city services 

Re ``Theater of Dreams'' (Feb. 5):

Your story paints a grim picture of crime in Reseda's 6.5-square-mile area, but also notes that the LAPD's brand new West Valley station is smack dab in the center of it. One only wonders just what, exactly, those officers in our midst are doing?

Your story also cites ``officials'' and, incomprehensibly, a 27-year-old Studio City Realtor suggesting that a trendy nightclub is what our community needs. However, when I look at Los Angeles' most desirable neighborhoods, nary a one is the center of ``the action'' sought by these folks. What do those in Encino, Palos Verdes and Calabasas know that ``officials'' and 27-year-old Realtors don't know? It's simple. Communities with the highest property values have three things in common: they are safe; they are clean; and they are home to good schools.

- Linda Blankenship

Reseda

It's the violence

Re ``Lockdowns persist after race riot'' (Feb. 6):

So Jody Kent of the ACLU feels that segregating the inmates by race is wrong, When is the ACLU going to understand that the Sheriff's Department is in control of the running of the county jail system - not you. She states, ``They are in there locked down 24 hours a day. They get three hours a week minimum of exercise. That environment fosters violence.'' So she must not know what jail is for; it's the violence that was committed outside jail that put them there.

- Tom Duran

Mission Hills

No evidence

Re ``Lack of fortitude (Editorial, Feb. 3):

I'm disappointed at you stating that L.A. Animal Services General Manager Guerden Stuckey ``was fired because the mayor didn't like the job he was doing.'' Villaraigosa provided no evidence regarding Stuckey's performance. He merely succumbed to terrorists.

While campaigning, Villaraigosa promised activists he'd fire Stuckey to (hopefully) gain votes and their silence. Later reneging, he found protesters in skeleton suits at his doorstep and photo ops. With his personal comfort disrupted, Villaraigosa again promised them Stuckey's head, with no concern about the effects on the city or its employees.

- Denise A. Justin

Los Angeles 

'Within policy'

The responses over the last few days to the commission's decision regarding the Devin Brown case have been predictable. They have all been critical of the decision and alleging a lack of support for the LAPD.

What I have not heard is any explanation of when the use of lethal force is not ``within policy.'' Going back to the Margaret Mitchell case it seems that there has not been a single case that the chief, Police Protective League and (until Devin Brown) police commission didn't feel was ``within policy.''

- Ed Mehlenbacher

Van Nuys

Laws don't apply?

Re ``Wounded airman's family demands cop be charged'' (Feb. 4):

Airman Elio Carrion's family is outraged that sheriff's Deputy Ivory Webb was not arrested - yet they don't seem surprised that Carrion was involved in a high-speed pursuit with police? Let me get this right: He was involved in an illegal high-speed pursuit with police, but since he is a ``hero,'' laws don't apply to him anymore? That is outrageous.

- Lisa Chase

Burbank

Gonzales' testimony

Re ``Gonzales grilled over eavesdropping'' (Feb. 7):

If Alberto Gonzales was the White House counsel when these plans were being drawn up, how can he possibly be acting as attorney general when defending them? Isn't he the president's attorney, not ours? Also, Sen. Arlen Specter did not make him swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Does anyone, in his right mind, think he won't lie like the rest of that cabal of thieves? Shame on the Democrats once again for not representing the people who put them into office.

- Victoria Minetta

Hollywood

Visualizing the budget

Re ``Budget increase defense dollars, cuts programs'' (Feb. 7):

The proposed federal budget for 2007, beginning Oct. 1, is $2.7 trillion. Most people can't relate to a number this big but it is, after all, spread over a year. So, broken down into smaller units of time, $2.7 trillion per year works out to be: $7.4 billion per day or $308 million per hour or $5.1 million per minute or $85,616 per second as you read this.

If you win the lottery, your millions are spread over 26 years, and the government spends $308 million per hour. At some point, we have to stop asking the government to solve all our problems.

- Mark A. Overturf

Reseda

Cartoons of Muhammed

I am confused regarding the Muslim religion. They riot and burn properties over a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammed, but OK the beheadings and the killing of men, women and children in the name of Islam.

This is like Pat Robertson preaching religion on Sunday and on Monday calling for the destruction of homosexuals, liberals and the killing of foreign leaders.

- Jerry Pennington

Van Nuys

iPod lawsuit

Re ``Lawsuit claims iPod dangerous'' (Feb. 2):

The complaint states that the iPod is ``inherently defective in design'' because it can produce sounds of more than 115 decibels, thus able to cause hearing loss. In my opinion, it is designed to produce sound so it seems at least in that regard the design goals were met.

``Hey, be careful with that thing.'' I give the same advice to someone using a circular saw. What we really need to do is wrap everything in foam rubber and warning stickers. Ouch! I just stared at the sun. Can I get the number of that attorney?

- Keith Tanenbaum

Newhall

Near capacity profits

The oil companies claim to be refining at or near capacity. If they cannot sell more gallons per day, how did their profits soar?

- Clay Rawlins

Castaic

The light fantastic

I'm glad to see that the president's State of the Union address got bad ratings. Perhaps the ratings would have been bigger if they had turned it into a ``Dancing with the White House Stars'' instead. Bush, Cheney, Rove, etc., dancing around the floor of the Capitol, fox-trotting, tapping, tangoing and quick stepping for the American people - wait, now that I think about it, that's exactly what they did do.

- Joe Furey

Valley Village