Preparations for Convention

* Good for Colin Shepherd and Robert Maguire (“Some Firms to Duck Convention, Others Will Adapt,” Aug. 3), who are trying to introduce calm and reason in the climate of fear that has been created by city officials as the Democratic National Convention approaches.

The folks I know who plan to participate in DK2LA are also reasonable people who simply want to add their voices (and signs) to the call for justice and the need for political will to address issues like environment, immigrants’ rights, welfare reform, the criminal justice system, etc.

Let them be seen and heard. Let L.A. open up--not close down. Let the prophets of panic change their tune.

Now that the Republicans have made it fashionable to recycle old slogans: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”--FDR.

LENORE NAVARRO DOWLING

Los Angeles

*

I can’t help but notice the uncomfortable difference in the way in which L.A. is approaching the upcoming Democratic National Convention in 2000 from the aura of civic pride that blessed this city before, during and after the 1984 Olympics. In 1984 we planted a million trees, upgraded LAX and flew cheerful banners in celebration of the Games. Today we are planting seeds of doubt and fear, erecting fences and launching an apparent attack by law enforcement, the mayor’s office and the media on our citizens’ rights of free assembly and free speech.

Security is always important when large groups of people assemble, but are all the predictions of dire consequences really necessary? I wonder if the people of L.A. have really changed that much in 16 years, or is it our current leadership?

JANE DRUCKER

North Hollywood

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As a member of Riviera Country Club your Aug. 3 article brought a smile to my lips. The owners of the club, having every right to do so, decided to close the club to members for one Sunday and let a bunch of Democrats use the facilities for a fund-raiser. The suggestion that most members were upset was particularly interesting, since no one polled me on that issue or any other issue.

Like most members, I did not plan to go to the club next Sunday anyway (the club isn’t all that crowded since O.J. left), but if I did want to play golf that day I know that the staff would arrange for me to play on another local course, if I asked them to do so. Maybe the problem is that if we play on another course that day we’ll have to play with Republicans!

MERVYN HECHT

Santa Monica