Lesson?

Barry Cutler (Letters, April 10) asked a question about what we have learned from the first death of a U.S. military adviser in Vietnam (1961) versus the first death of a U.S. military adviser in El Salvador (1987).

Nothing, obviously, has been learned. And this means the Central American boat people should begin arriving in Texas and California in 2001. Maybe earlier, since they won’t have to arrive via Thailand and can travel directly to the United States.

STEVE OLEK

Riverside