Re: “Low-income tenants decry Bass’ directive” (April 26):
It isn’t just happening in Eagle Rock. Rent-subsidized buildings are being demolished to build affordable housing all over the city, including my neighbors in Sherman Oaks. Although the tenants are offered housing in the new buildings, the new units will be smaller, cost more and do not provide for pets or parking. And where will the displaced tenants live while the new housing is being built? The city fails to consider that certain self-employed, small-business people need vehicles with which to conduct their business. For example, a handyman needs a secure place to keep his tools — and his truck. A musician cannot schlep his sound equipment to wedding gigs on the bus. And the new buildings do not provide for parking. So these tenants will lose not only their homes, but their means of employment. This is not right.
— Nancy Martsch, Sherman Oaks
Problems with ballot titles and biased summaries for statewide initiatives
Re “Attorney general ditches fair dealing on ballot titles” (Arpil 28):
California is a progressive state. It’s so progressive that both houses of our Legislature have veto-proof majorities and that’s taking into consideration that we have a system of district design that makes gerrymandering impossible. Attorney General Bonta writes progressive-slanted ballot summaries, which I agree are terribly unfavorable to both business and conservative initiative backers, and that’s one of the key reasons why I and many other Democrats voted for him. The same practice happens in Texas, Florida and other red states that don’t have curbs on gerrymandering. Why should we have to tie our hands any more than they have to tie theirs?
— Ron Garber, Duarte
When USC finds its commencement canceled
The 2024 University of Southern California commencement ceremonies have been canceled. The stated reason is security issues. The city of Los Angeles is incapable of providing the resources necessary for the activities to occur. In just four years, 2028, the Olympic Games will be held in Los Angeles. How is it that Los Angeles is incapable in 2024 of providing security for a commencement, but will be able to stage the 2028 Olympic games?
— Russell Patterson, Anaheim
![Mark Takano’s May 12 article ignores the fact that there already are two states in what was Palestine; one majority Jewish state on 1/8 of the land and one “pure” Arab state, Jordan, (Judenrein — apartheid against Jews) on 3/4 of the land. That never solved anything, because the agenda of Israel’s enemies is not any number of states, but genocide; no Jewish state and no Jewish inhabitants in the Land Of Israel. That is the meaning of “from the river to the sea.” A hundred more Arab states on the same land would not satisfy that agenda. — Louis […]](/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2018_1008_generic_mailbox_letters_to_the_editor3-9.jpg?w=513 "Mark Takano’s May 12 article ignores the fact that there already are two states in what was Palestine; one majority Jewish state on 1/8 of the land and one “pure” Arab state, Jordan, (Judenrein — apartheid against Jews) on 3/4 of the land. That never solved anything, because the agenda of Israel’s enemies is not any number of states, but genocide; no Jewish state and no Jewish inhabitants in the Land Of Israel. That is the meaning of “from the river to the sea.” A hundred more Arab states on the same land would not satisfy that agenda. — Louis […]")
![I would like to thank the editorial staff of the newspaper for their May 8 article honoring Friedrich Hayek, author of “The Road to Serfdom.” His book as well as the writings of George Orwell and Ayn Rand have proven prescient as we see changes in economic thinking and political systems today. His book as well as those by the others should be required reading for any study of Western civilization. Hayek uses the term liberal the same way as did our founders. A liberal is one who embraces liberty and independence. Today’s leftists who have taken over the word […]](/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2018_1008_generic_mailbox_letters_to_the_editor3-8.jpg?w=513 "I would like to thank the editorial staff of the newspaper for their May 8 article honoring Friedrich Hayek, author of “The Road to Serfdom.” His book as well as the writings of George Orwell and Ayn Rand have proven prescient as we see changes in economic thinking and political systems today. His book as well as those by the others should be required reading for any study of Western civilization. Hayek uses the term liberal the same way as did our founders. A liberal is one who embraces liberty and independence. Today’s leftists who have taken over the word […]")
![Yes, college ceremonies should go on as they always have for students Unless a majority of those to receive degrees vote to the contrary, the decision should not be made by a small group of protesters. How should the current iteration of protesters be compared to the anti-Vietnam War campus protests of the 1960s and ‘70s? No comparison. The United States was a major participant in Vietnam, college-age males were subject to the draft and many killed and wounded. Today’s protestors have no fear for their lives. Are today’s protesters well educated on the politics of the Middle East? No. […]](/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2018_1008_generic_mailbox_letters_to_the_editor3-7.jpg?w=513 "Yes, college ceremonies should go on as they always have for students Unless a majority of those to receive degrees vote to the contrary, the decision should not be made by a small group of protesters. How should the current iteration of protesters be compared to the anti-Vietnam War campus protests of the 1960s and ‘70s? No comparison. The United States was a major participant in Vietnam, college-age males were subject to the draft and many killed and wounded. Today’s protestors have no fear for their lives. Are today’s protesters well educated on the politics of the Middle East? No. […]")
![Well, Teri Sforza’s report May 9 is right about one thing — what Sacramento is doing isn’t working, if reducing homelessness is the objective. So, this reader wonders, is it? First, I question the motivation. The rewards are backwards. Wherever and to whomever the money is going has been rewarded with more of it if the problem got worse. Anyone receiving money could look to less of it if they truly reduced the homeless numbers. We’re talking government and nonprofit employees putting themselves out of a job. Second, again on motivation. The report says as many as half the people […]](/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2018_1008_generic_mailbox_letters_to_the_editor3-6.jpg?w=513 "Well, Teri Sforza’s report May 9 is right about one thing — what Sacramento is doing isn’t working, if reducing homelessness is the objective. So, this reader wonders, is it? First, I question the motivation. The rewards are backwards. Wherever and to whomever the money is going has been rewarded with more of it if the problem got worse. Anyone receiving money could look to less of it if they truly reduced the homeless numbers. We’re talking government and nonprofit employees putting themselves out of a job. Second, again on motivation. The report says as many as half the people […]")