Lompoc?

I have just spent a frustrating Sunday watching the Dodgers get swept by the Angels, while the Anaheim Ducks beat the Detroit Red Wings to get to within one game of the Stanley Cup finals (the woeful Kings having long ago wrapped up their dismal 2006-07 campaign).

Much as I hate to admit it, it is clear that when it comes to professional sports, Anaheim owns Los Angeles. The mighty, venerable City of Angels is getting its clock cleaned by what is essentially one of its suburbs. I don’t want to think of Orange County as a pro sports mecca, but compared to the dreck that Los Angeles is serving up, I can’t think any other way.

With grudging props to Anaheim, I say it is time to stand up, Angelenos, and say we can’t take this anymore. We need to do it now, before franchises pop up in Oxnard, Lompoc or Bakersfield, only to come down from the north and whip our L.A. teams even harder.

RON PETERS

Thousand Oaks