Letters to the editor

View from Compton

Re “A new birth of hope,” Jan. 23

I wonder how many black and brown boys or men who are not “gangsters” undergo the same humiliating experience of being patted down.

There’s much in this article I don’t understand, such as the observation that “Compton is trading blood in the streets for stolen lawn mowers -- and around here, that’s a bargain many will live with.” What on Earth does this mean?

I’ve lived in and near Compton for nearly 40 years. I’ve raised three daughters here. I can scarcely relate to what’s described in this article, even though my home has been burglarized. My main problems here are related to graffiti and trash in the streets and the alleys. The county has been responsive to my concerns regarding these issues.

Ercell H. Hoffman

Compton

No pride

Re “A new birth of hope,” Jan. 23

I am sure that we are all happy to hear that murders in the Compton area have decreased to about one every 10 days. However, we can’t be very happy to see that “gang-related assaults” average more than one a day.

That does not sound very safe to me. I certainly won’t visit the area, and I wonder just what law enforcement is doing to provide safety for the population in Compton. To be proud of that many assaults just because it’s “improvement” is really shameful.

Charles W. Jenner

Los Alamitos

State must tighten its belt

Re “U.S. may ease state budget gap,” Jan. 23

As The Times reports, California could receive up to $11 billion from the most recent stimulus package, enough to wipe out 25% of its budget shortfall. This one-time infusion of funds, intended to provide a stimulus to our economy, would simply be used for the state’s ongoing operating costs.

This would be like giving a drug addict more drugs rather than curing his addiction. These one-time funds should be used for one-time, shovel-ready projects. The bottom line is the state has to fully wean itself from its addiction to overspending.

Lynn Hughes

Laguna Beach

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Re “Did you listen, Sacramento?,” Column, Jan. 22

Invoking President Obama’s inaugural address, George Skelton believes that the solution to California’s budget woes is to adopt “the notion of individual sacrifice for the common good.”

Fat chance. Our out-of-control Legislature and bond-addicted populace are the ones who spent us into this mess. Those who have benefited from their largesse are the ones who need to shoulder the pain of the cuts. Those of us who’ve lived our lives responsibly, who’ve voted against unreasonable taxes, ill-advised bonds and poorly conceived propositions, have already done our part for the common good.

I, for one, refuse to sacrifice for the common good of a voting populace too stupid to realize, even now, that we cannot tax and spend our way to prosperity.

Wade Major

Malibu

Bravo, George Skelton!

In his address, President Obama said: “The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works. ... Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account.”

In addition to raising taxes, California’s legislators on both sides of the aisle need to cut those pet programs that have the least effect on the lives of everyday citizens.

Maggie Ikezaki

San Diego

Best approach to Mideast peace

Re “Israel and Gaza, now,” editorial, Jan. 22

The Times is correct to call for Israel to recognize Hamas as the elected government of Palestine. The United States also must recognize the legitimacy of Hamas.

Hamas’ leaders have said they are open to a two-state solution based on the pre-1967 borders of Israel -- essentially, the Saudi peace initiative. To date, neither Israel nor the United States have accepted that initiative. It would be a good start to acknowledge Hamas as a legitimate participant in negotiations.

I am a Jewish American who hopes for peace for all Palestinians and Israelis. Because Israel’s continued occupation is the source of much of the hostility to the U.S. in the world, it is in our best interest to ensure that all in the area are included in efforts to achieve peace.

Kathie Lester

Pasadena

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There is no doubt that if Hamas lays down its arms, there will be peace.

On the other hand, if Israel lays down its arms, it will be destroyed.

Gary M. Barnbaum

Woodland Hills

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President Obama’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict shows wisdom. Tapping former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell to reengage the combatants and the bordering states is a smart approach.

In past decades, Arab autocratic regimes -- and now Iran and Hezbollah -- have portrayed Israel as the source of all ills that have plagued Arabs and Muslims. Obama might have a chance to succeed if he keeps theocratic kings and sheiks out of the discussion and prevents them from financing Palestinian and other extremists.

The president can serve his country best by focusing on supporting democratic Arab reformers, especially in places such as Saudi Arabia, in a transparent and public manner.

He should avoid the politics of appeasement that brought extremism, terrorism and threats to democratic values.

Ali Alyami

Washington

The writer is executive director of the Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia.

An ageist swipe on e-mail use

Re “The BlackBerry accord of 2009,” Jan. 23

What an ageist remark by Roger Entner of the Nielsen Co. regarding Bill Clinton’s and George W. Bush’s decisions to eschew e-mail when they were president. Entner said, “With all due respect to presidents Clinton and Bush, they didn’t really grow up with these mobile devices.”

This presumes these men are much older than Obama. In fact, the age difference is only about 15 years. Widespread Internet and e-mail use only came about in the early to mid-’90s, which would have made the 47-year-old Obama older than 30 before an affordable service was available to him. One would have to be younger than 30 today to have truly “grown up with mobile devices,” as Entner asserts.

Times are bad, with many losing jobs because they’re considered out of touch with new technologies. Although Clinton and Bush may have had their reasons for not using e-mail, Obama’s insistence on doing so was certainly not because he’d never lived in a world without it.

Michael Russnow

West Hollywood

Federal judges get a good deal

Re “The case for a raise,” editorial, Jan. 22

Why is it a crisis if federal judges do not receive a pay raise?

When many Americans are in economic trouble, it seems unreasonable to provide salary increases to any federal employee. They enjoy a guaranteed salary, health insurance and retirement benefits. Judges also receive life tenure. How many Americans would clamber to obtain such positions -- at half the pay and no guaranteed increases?

Federal employees should be among the first to hearken to President Obama’s call to sacrifice for the common good. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. knew the conditions of employment before accepting the position. If he’s not happy, he should do what others in the workforce do: quit his job and find another more to his liking.

David Raider

Woodland Hills