Olney’s Mantle

Regarding “Leading L.A. to the Light,” by Sean Mitchell (May 8):

Mitchell’s story gives the impression that via “Which Way, L.A.?” Warren Olney has become the voice of Los Angeles public radio: “In the continuing social disarray that is Los Angeles, it has sometimes seemed that if anyone is pulling the city together . . . it’s, of all people, Warren Olney.”

I disagree. My candidate for the voice of Los Angeles public radio is KPCC-FM’s Larry Mantle. Mantle is doing on his nightly “Airtalk” show exactly what Olney is doing, and has been doing it for more than nine years with the personality, sense of humor and enthusiasm Olney lacks. Olney’s deadpan approach bores me.

Mantle has many of the same guests, usually in studio (why is it a matter of pride to Olney that he has no in-studio guests?), and he is just as well-informed and articulate. Both men have a following at their respective stations. And yet, it is Olney who is given a write-up, while Mantle is ignored and avoided by every newspaper and magazine in Los Angeles.

MICHAEL LIGHTCAP

Los Angeles

Mitchell’s profile attracted me and pleased me by summarizing Olney’s professional resume, his personal relationships, his diligence and public spirit as revealed in his radio program. Good thing the folks at KCRW-FM want him to continue the daily discussions.

The profile, unfortunately, also revealed at least one of Olney’s shortcomings: Having enjoyed Olney’s evenhanded questioning of radio guests for the last two years, I was surprised to see Mitchell quote him twice using the name of the Lord Jesus casually.

All of Olney’s sensitivity to people of different ethnicities needs to extend to people’s religious beliefs. Those who respect Christians’ beliefs avoid such casual references to the Godhead, just as they avoid ethnic slurs out of respect for ethnically diverse people. Let’s not reduce multiculturalism to matters of ethnicity, gender bias and sexual orientation only.

PATRICIA L. GEDDES

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