Gov. Davis and 187

Re “Debate Rises on Mediation of Proposition 187,” April 20:

Judging from the strident voices berating Gov. Gray Davis for asking the federal court to assist in resolving the Prop. 187 issue, one can only conclude that these sources sorely lack the ability to recognize real leadership when they see it. The governor has taken a courageous course, knowing full well that neither side would find this an “ideal” solution but willing to brave the political heat to pursue a course he feels is in the best interests of the state. We finally have a real leader in the statehouse.

HYMAN BROWN

La Verne

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Davis’ decision to send the appeal of Prop. 187 to arbitration is an affront to every voter among the 5.1 million who voted for it. His purpose is to bury it in “purgatory,” where it will drop out of sight. This political trickery will backfire by igniting the wrath of the backers of Prop. 187, who will surely mount another campaign.

You cannot continually ignore the majority of the voting public. BYRON SLATER

San Diego

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Re Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa’s April 18 commentary on Prop. 187: To end the politics of vitriol and division over immigration, one would have to end the Democratic Party, for there is no greater proponent of class warfare and purveyor of lies and distortions than the propagandists on the left.

Californians weren’t “fooled” by Prop. 187. We just didn’t want to pay for illegal alien comforts then and we don’t want to now.

The fact that liberal judicial appointees on the bench scuttled the will of the people doesn’t mean Prop. 187 wasn’t a proper venue for the restoration of common sense, it only means that fuzzy-headed, biased, socialist thinking isn’t confined solely to journalists and academics. A pox on all your houses.

CARTER SWART

Lancaster

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While Republicans in the state Assembly muddle around in a state of denial casting stones at one another, Democrats are fast becoming the voice of contemporary politics. Although a rift has developed within the Democratic Party between Davis and “liberals and Latinos,” as mentioned by George Skelton (Capitol Journal, April 19), such debates are far more constructive than those that are occurring in the Republican Party. With the contrasting leadership between the cautious and pragmatic Davis and the vigorous Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa, voters can be assured the state legislators will not be submerged into personality conflicts and wedge issues that inflame racial tensions.

JOHN MENDOZA

Pomona

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I liked Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante’s strong statement disapproving Davis’ weak stand on Prop. 187 (April 16). Regardless of the merits of the initiative, it is refreshing to have the lieutenant governor of our state taking issue with the governor of his own party. I recall Davis’ own behavior when he was lieutenant governor. He never let out a peep against Republican Gov. Pete Wilson, even when he had good reason to do so.

JOHN F. MENDEZ

Los Angeles