Helen Thomas’ comments on Israel; L.A. County’s Arizona boycott; lessons from Norway

The end of a career

Re “One answer ends a career of questions,” June 8

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs should remember that the country for which he works protects free speech, even if he and his employers deem that speech to be “offensive and reprehensible.” What is truly offensive and reprehensible is that Helen Thomas, an iconic figure with a decades-long career, can be forced out of her position because she states her opinion about Israel.

As for the ageist remark by Talk News Radio bureau chief Ellen Ratner that, at 90, “people just don’t have the same filters” — if filtering is what we are doing when we refuse to stand up against oppression, maybe it’s time for those of all ages to turn off the filters.

Cathryn Roos

La Habra

It is sad to see a pioneering career end so abruptly because of the raw and unguarded opinion Thomas expressed in response to a question about Israel.

Her comments were offensive to many, not just Jews. As a Muslim American with strong sympathies for Palestinians who have suffered under the suffocating occupation of Israel, I stand with those who consider her response to be utterly reprehensible. But I also ask one simple question: Can we start applying the same standard of decorum to comments about Muslims, Latinos and African Americans?

Pervaiz Anwar

Irvine

Although it is fine that Thomas apologized for her nasty comments about Israel and the people living there, what cannot be erased from people’s memory is the fact that deep down in her heart, she really does believe that Jews have no place in Israel and that they should simply disappear or go to Germany or Poland.

Let them all go to Europe and have the Arabs take over the land — one big happy Palestine. Never mind that the Arabs have many countries of their own, almost entirely populated by people of the Islamic faith. The Jewish people, on the other hand, have just one tiny sliver of land barely big enough to write the word Israel on the map.

Good riddance, Helen Thomas.

Arnie Keren

Los Angeles

Wasn’t it Voltaire who said he may not agree with what you say, but he would fight to the death for your right to say it? Wasn’t this one of the premises on which America was based?

I do not know the history of how the Jewish people were awarded part of Palestine by the U.N. I do know words like “racist” and “bigot” are intended to stifle dissent.

Paula M. Heim

Valencia

Taking care of our own

Re “L.A. County OKs boycott of Arizona,” June 2

Don’t L.A. Unified school board members have enough work to do without getting into other state’s affairs?

The district’s students are about 73% Latino, a third of whom are learning English. How much of the district’s budget is used to cater to non-English-speaking Latino students? And how many of these students are either illegal immigrants or born to parents who are illegal?

Wake up, people, and do the math. The school district is facing a budget crisis and laying off teachers. It makes sense to plug any possible loopholes.

We should take care of our own problems first before extending compassion to people coming to this country illegally and burdening our society. Arizona is brave enough to face the unpleasant fact and passed a law to remedy it. We should emulate it, not condemn it.

Teresa C. Yu

Rancho Palos Verdes

I cannot believe that not only the L. A. County Board of Supervisors and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, whose job it is to enforce the law, but now the LAUSD is getting involved in the Arizona law.

If they want to discuss immigration law, let them know that people have the right to become citizens. First, they must go back to their countries, get their papers in order and come in the legal way, just like I did many years ago.

Maria Diaz

Temple City

I, like so many others, fail to understand why illegal immigration remains an issue. Simply put, the law is being broken; those breaking it are criminals; they must be punished; and politicians abetting the criminals must be thrown out of office and convicted of obstructing justice.

End of discussion.

Bill Mouzis

Lake Balboa

About those special ed cuts

Re “Disabled students losing 200 classes,” June 3, and “Special ed funds,” Letters, June 7

I would like to provide some clarification of my statement in The Times about special education cuts, regular students and students with special needs.

Students with special needs are special students. I do not apologize for distinguishing between regular students and students with special needs. When you consider my record, no one has supported the parents and students with special needs more than I have. Thinking outside the box, I have found a way to support the needs of this student population with minimal disruptions to their overall educational program.

As most are aware, the federal government does not provide adequate funding to meet the mandates of special education laws. I have the responsibility for about 618,000 students in grades Pre-K through 12, plus thousands of adult students.

When I use the word “regular,” this does not mean special needs students versus students in our regular education programs. What it does mean is that I am keeping all students in perspective and considering the needs of all.

I understand that it is challenging for parents and teachers as well as students themselves. However, if legislation refers to students as “special” and refers to other students outside this population as “regular,” I believe that my word usage was proper.

I do not discriminate. My record supports this.

Ramon C. Cortines

Los Angeles

The writer is superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Teenagers, prison and parole

Re “Too young for life,” Opinion, June 2

These experienced law enforcement professionals offer a thoughtful perspective on sentencing teens to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

I too must analyze this issue with a balanced approach. Catholic morality makes it clear that society has a duty to protect the innocent and punish offenders. But the church also holds that rehabilitation is a complementary goal to punishment. God expects us to be men and women of hope.

The fact that juveniles are still developing individuals means that our hope for their rehabilitation is grounded in science: Teens biologically mature, which enables them to make better choices.

Life with no possibility of parole for youth under the age of 18 is wrong. I support Senate Bill 399 because it ensures offenders will be punished while providing the possibility of parole once they have proven their rehabilitation.

Bishop Gabino Zavala

Los Angeles

The writer is auxiliary bishop, San Gabriel Region, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

The Gore point

Re “Breaking up is hard on us,” Opinion, June 3

Meghan Daum’s piece about the Al and Tipper Gore’s separation was nice.

I’m still scratching my head, however, on why the country is shocked that after 40 years of marriage, they’d separate. It leads me to believe that there aren’t enough marriages that go the distance of 35-plus years. If there were, there would be less shock.

A 40-year marriage can be exhausting. Raising a family, working and sometimes barely tolerating your partner can chip away at your psyche, notwithstanding the travels and travails Tipper Gore has withstood.

Peace and quiet is probably what she desires. Luckily for the Gores, they have the financial means to choose how their paths will continue.

Sandi Lopez

Visalia

Unlike Norway

Re “Norway as Utopia,” Opinion, June 3

Timothy Garton Ash needs to acknowledge that Norway’s leaders have a very clear sense of the balance that must be struck between protecting the public good and promoting private enterprise.

If our own political and corporate leaders had shared those insights, the catastrophe unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico would never have happened.

Dennis Clausen

Escondido