Naming Center for Reagan

There they go again! Joan M. Mitric (Commentary, May 7) deplores the naming of the new UCLA Medical Center for Ronald Reagan. It’s the standard liberal screed: She cites an analyst, “advocates,” “activists” and a reporter to repeat the canard that Reagan “harmed the health of children” during his presidency. His being the decisive influence in winning the Cold War, which Mikhail Gorbachev himself straightforwardly admits and which was good for children everywhere, is turned into a demerit, since all defense spending is simplistically considered by them to be paid for by “savage cuts” in the areas from which these “advocates” make their own living.

At some point, this constant demonizing becomes pathological. To use words hijacked by the left, those who use the happy occasion of a $150-million gift to the medical center to bash Reagan look like partisan, extremist, mean-spirited Reagan haters.

ROBERT E. SYDOW

Manhattan Beach

*

When I first heard of UCLA’s decision to rename its medical center after Reagan I was stunned. While the public may feel sympathy for Reagan’s current health problems, I would venture to say he receives far better medical care than the average Alzheimer’s patient. This action by UCLA is a slap in the face to all Americans who suffered the impact of the brutal cutbacks instituted during Reagan’s tenure as governor of California and later as president.

I assume I will not be the only member of the UCLA alumni who will be responding less than enthusiastically to the next Bruin fund-raising pitch.

DEIRDRE K. TERRY

Los Angeles