Rulings Favor Landlord

Things are a little less free lately in the “land of the free and home of the brave.” Don’t bother renting an apartment unless you’re married to your roommate, because the 9th Circuit Court held your landlord has a right to kick you out based on your “sinfulness” (Jan. 15). Now we learn you’re not allowed to display the face of a controversial political leader, because your landlord will obtain an injunction and a judge will order you to remove it (Jan. 22).

I don’t agree with either decision, but they make one thing undeniably clear: Freedom is a relative concept. You will be allowed to express your views only to the extent they do not infringe on other, more politically powerful viewpoints. Let us be under no illusions: The 1st Amendment does nothing more than provide a forum for competing ideologies and has nothing whatsoever to do with free speech. And to think that the protesters suffered sore throats yelling for freedom. Whose?

MITCHELL L. NORTON

Corona

*

When Vietnamese store owner Truong Tran recently posted a Communist Vietnamese flag and a portrait of Ho Chi Minh in his place of business in Westminster, an angry group of protesters filled the area in front of his store (Jan. 20). One of the mob physically assaulted Tran as he tried to leave. Then his landlord posted an eviction notice on the front of Tran’s store.

And finally, a judge ordered Tran to remove the portrait and the flag. The community this all happened in is aptly named Little Saigon. It certainly isn’t America.

CLIFTON E. BARNETT

Los Angeles