Letters to the editor

Little faith in the archdiocese

Re “Patterns of abuse,” Opinion, Dec. 16

Sister Sheila McNiff feels “confident that the steps to prevent abuse ... have resulted in a safer environment for all of our children and young people.” I wish I could say the same. Unfortunately, nothing the Los Angeles Archdiocese has done, especially under the guidance of Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, is sufficient to alleviate my fears.

McNiff insists that the cases of abuse dropped off during the 1980s because of actions taken by the church. But in most cases involving rape, incest and molestation, the victim rarely goes running to authorities or parents for comfort, much less to reveal the culprit. There is no reliable data to prove that abuse has stopped altogether.

I also find it disturbing that although Mahony interfered in a criminal investigation, he has come out unscathed.

The only way the archdiocese can come clean is to release all files on priests who have allegedly molested children to law enforcement and allow it to complete its investigations.

Until then, McNiff’s tame speech will only be seen for what it is, a public relations gesture.

Todd Groves

Santa Monica

I don’t believe that the statistics in this article necessarily mean that there is now less abuse in the L.A. Archdiocese. If many victims come forward only when they become adults, the lower numbers for the recent years might spike as current victims grow up. In fact, the numbers in the early years of Mahony’s administration are as high as 40 years ago.

The statistics that would indicate that there are truly fewer cases happening now are the number of people with criminal backgrounds who were disqualified from working in the ministry and thus were prevented from abusing, and how many cases after one allegation were successfully prosecuted or resulted in a person being permanently removed from ministry. These actions would result in lower statistics now and in the future.

I hope that the Victims Assistance Ministry has such numbers that indicate the archdiocese is promptly expelling the perpetrators of sexual abuse and protecting children, so that many families will be saved from the painful scars of sexual abuse.

Christina Chiang

Agoura Hills

Teachers’ lessons from the past

Re “Flying lessons,” Opinion, Dec. 16

Barry Smolin’s article moved me to tears. As a former educator, I too lament the restraints put on our teachers’ creativity. I think his article should be posted in every teachers lounge in the country. Despite the constraints that teachers are working under today, if they can just remember to instill inspiration for learning, then they too can encourage their students to spread their wings and fly. As certainly as George Schoenman did then, and as certain as Barry Smolin continues today.

Bobbie McIntyre

Seal Beach

With its recent inspirational articles on two Fairfax High teachers, Marilyn Moody (“Still acting up for the ‘best’ drama teacher,” Dec. 3) and George Schoenman, The Times may be reflecting the same spiritual longing that so many teachers I work with are experiencing. As school boards mandate more test-driven lessons, more scripted classes and more English courses devoid of literature, where else do we educators have to turn for motivation but back to the icons of our own pasts, back to the memories of our own teachers like Schoenman and Moody, who inspired so many to enter a profession in which dreams and hopes used to matter.

Daniel D. Victor

English Teacher

Hamilton Humanities

Magnet

Los Angeles

The writer was a student and colleague of Schoenman.

Hillary Clinton’s political baggage

Re “The polarizing express,” Opinion, Dec. 16

Ezra Klein’s article misses entirely the most important issue regarding Hillary Clinton’s negative numbers -- her effect on the Senate races for seats currently held by Republicans that Democrats have a chance to win. If Clinton is the eventual Democratic nominee for president, I expect she will win in November, as I expect would another Democrat. What sets Clinton apart from the other Democratic presidential candidates is that she provides a reason for some people who would otherwise not vote to go to the polls just to vote against her. I expect most of this cohort leans Republican and, while voting against her, will also vote for a Republican Senate candidate.

The Republican senators have proved that they can stall all significant legislative initiatives. The Democrats have been unable to effectively pin this failure of progress on the Republicans. Consequently, the Democratic Senate and House appear impotent and floundering. It is imperative that Democrats reduce the number of Republicans in the Senate so a Democratic president can move a Democratic agenda into effect. Even if it means forgoing a historic election.

Patrick Johnston

Balboa Island

The big omission from Klein’s Op-Ed article dismissing Clinton’s polarization potential is his selective amnesia of the Ross Perot factor. He claims that Bill Clinton had high negatives but won his election and reelection. There probably would not have been a Clinton presidency except for Perot, who stole conservative votes. Hillary Clinton doesn’t have that edge, at least not yet, unless Ron Paul runs as an independent. It is more likely that Ralph Nader will run if Clinton is the nominee, making her chances worse.

Arlene Williams

Sparks, Nev.

Klein poses a lot of questions about the polarizing effect of our presidential selection process, but he has no idea how politics works. The wedge issues dividing Republicans from Democrats are less important than the polarization that goes unchecked in our country between voters and nonvoters. More than half of Americans do not vote, yet every political article uses the term “voters” when referring to the electorate. There are millions of nonvoters in this country. Can people like Klein ever come up with answers while ignoring the problem?

Lawrence Gaughan

Hollywood

Questions about Romney tax havens

Re “Island tax havens factor into Romney’s business success,” Dec. 17

Legal or not, good business or not, Mitt Romney’s extensive use of offshore tax havens doesn’t pass the smell test. A serious presidential candidate who manipulates the tax system? It just seems unlikely that he will have any credibility after this. These shelters, established only to avoid taxes, demonstrate the cynical, greedy nature of the rich.

Ralph Mitchell

Monterey Park

Even as a Democrat, I have the greatest respect for Romney. The Times describes him as cheating the government out of taxes, even as it says he is not doing anything illegal. Romney can only be described as a person who is living the American dream. All we ever hear and read about are the people who are left behind. Romney is one of those great Americans who said this country owes him nothing, other than opportunity. Why can’t The Times describe Romney as a person who did his best to build things and put people to work? If there are problems with the law, don’t look at people who are using it for their benefit. Look to Congress to change it.

Norman Baron

Los Angeles

Why we need to stay in Iraq

Re “U.S. to keep most troops in Baghdad,” Dec. 16

This article referred to a plan to keep most U.S. troops in Baghdad rather than in the outlying provinces. No surprise; they will be needed there indefinitely to protect our recently completed $600-million Embassy-cum-fortress.

Art Cohen

Los Angeles

Re “U.S. notes lower death rate for its troops in Iraq,” Dec. 15

The news in Iraq is better than reported in this article. Fewer American soldiers were killed in the three-month period ending in November than in any consecutive three-month period since March 2004. If the second half of December continues at the rate of the first half, the current three-month period will be the lowest consecutive three-month period since the Iraq war began. There is no doubt that we have turned the corner militarily. Give diplomacy and Iraqi self-determination a chance. Now is no time to withdraw.

Thomas R. Damiani

Newport Beach

A closer look at Mormon beliefs

Re “A look at Mormon theology and practice,” Dec. 16

General questions. General answers. Mormons fought the federal government for years before they gave up polygamy. And then it was only after the government had a law to take away the Mormon church’s property. It was then that the church president had a revelation to stop polygamy.

Nick Novick

Irvine

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I am grateful for The Times’ article responding to many of the questions about Mormon beliefs. Misinformation and distortions are seen frequently in the media. Thank you for a clear, concise and accurate presentation of the teachings of my church. The understanding of some teachings requires an understanding of related teachings. The article gave some relevant context to the answers. Thank you for the space to provide the context.

Steve Gilliland

Lakewood

Arbitration supplants trials

Re “Fighting for the right to go to court,” Dec. 17

As a consumer and a consumer advocate, it is horrifying to witness the loss of our American right to resolve civil disputes by means of a fair and impartial public jury trial. Our constitutional rights are bleeding to death with a thousand tiny paper cuts from purchase orders, credit applications, contracts, receipts and bill stuffers written by crafty corporate lawyers. This seemingly innocent clutter of mind-dulling fine print is in reality a razor-edged weapon requiring binding, mandatory, nonpublic arbitration of all disputes. Because arbitration occurs silently behind closed doors, the public is largely unaware of the carnage. Many victims do not even know the arbitration process has begun until too late. We must support legislation to stop this hemorrhaging of the rights of U.S. consumers.

Aurora Dawn Harris

Orange

The writer is an attorney.