Opinion: In today’s pages: Citizenship for soldiers, visas for supermodels, light rail for L.A.
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The editorial board has two immigration-related editorials today, one urging the president to sign a bill that would streamline citizenship applications for soldiers, and another discussing Congress’ compassion to one particular group of visitors to the U.S.: supermodels. The board also wonders what’s in store for transportation in L.A.:
Who deserves a light-rail line more, the people of Azusa or the people of Santa Monica? Which line makes more sense, one that would serve the future needs of fast-growing communities to the east, or the current needs of the traffic-choked Westside?The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is faced with the unenviable task of answering these questions on Thursday....
On the Op-Ed page, state Sen. Sheila James Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) throws her support behind the Expo line. Pierce O’Donnell, lead attorney for Hurricane Katrina victims, tells flood victims to beware the obscure Section 702c, which protects the government from lawsuits. Author Michael A. Elliott rehabilitates the Indians who killed George Armstrong Custer. And historian James M. Banner Jr. wonders when Europe will stop blaming Ireland.
On the letters page, readers remember George Carlin. Roza Besser of Calabasas remembers getting shut out of a comedy show as a college student until Carlin himself lent a hand:
Ten minutes before showtime, Carlin walked out of the theater’s front doors and quietly said, ‘I hear you can’t get tickets. I’m sorry there aren’t student tickets. Here, take these.’ And he quickly turned and went back inside.Orchestra tickets for everyone! We were stunned.
*Photo of an annual tribal ceremony in Montana, marking Custer’s Last Stand, by Larry Mayer, Associated Press