Arizona’s immigration bill; Jerry Brown’s record; compromising with the Taliban

They’ve had enough

Re “Arizona passes strict border rule,” April 14

The recent killing of prominent rancher Robert Krentz by an illegal alien blew the lid off a boiling caldron of illegal activity that is killing Arizonans and bankrupting the state.

Illegal aliens are ruining Arizona’s educational system and overburdening jails, hospitals, emergency rooms and indigent social services -- which are supposed to be for Arizona citizens only. Mexican President Felipe Calderon pays lip-service to our politicians while enjoying billions annually flowing into Mexico from illegal workers and drug cartels.

Arizonans have finally had enough of Mexico’s unseemly attack on our citizens. This invasion of our state, married together with the radical left congressional members who believe illegal aliens are their answer to be reelected, is going to end.

Any organization or individual that cannot abide by this should be forced to cross the border in a southerly manner, never to return to our state or country to enjoy its benefits at the expense of our citizens.

Roger Emery
Tucson

Nothing good happens when the federal government refuses to do its job to secure the border.

Arizona has little choice but to establish laws that enable its local law enforcement personnel to protect residents when the federal government won’t.

Bill McClure
South Pasadena

Attacking Jerry Brown

Re “Brown’s no tax-and-spender,” Column, April 12

Thanks to George Skelton for telling the truth about the Reagan years in California, when spending rose 177% -- the most under any governor in the last half a century.

We have a new generation of Republicans calling themselves “disciples of Reagan.” They need to do their homework.

Jim Lynch
Cardiff, Calif.

It should be self-evident that when the California Chamber of Commerce contracts out commerce -- even a mendacious political attack ad painting Jerry Brown as a big spender -- it should be to an in-state entity.

If Skelton is correct that this ad “was produced by an out-of-state ad maker,” I am left to wonder how much of the California Chamber of Commerce’s contract work is sent out of California.

Jim Lashly
Ojai

A broken family?

Re “Disabled, is she still a mom?,” April 11

It is unfortunate that this case is being tried in the media.

Wishful thinking lends itself to conclusions that are not accurate. I would find the claims that Abbie is communicative and might improve more convincing if there were objective and recent scientific testimony to back them up. The neurological report states that Abbie has a “severe hypoxic encephalopathy and her condition is permanent.”

The children have a right to be protected. I know Daniel Dorn. He is a wonderful father whose prime concern is the welfare of the children. He was very much in love with Abbie but faced with the care of triplets.

As a clinical psychologist, I would not recommend that 3-year-old children visit a mother in something akin to a vegetative state. It is not a question of a disabled mom being deprived of her rights. It is a question of the children being exposed to that mother’s disability at too young an age.

It appears that Abbie’s parents hope the children will, by their presence, bring Abbie out of her impaired state. But the neurological examination seems to indicate that this is impossible. On the other hand, possible trauma for the 3-year-olds is very likely from the proposed visitation.

I believe the Abbie that I met would have put the protection of the children above all else and would not support this request.

Gary Yontef
Santa Monica

There are so many well-intentioned parents in this story, yet the children are not benefiting from their love. These kids have already been impacted, and I see it going downhill from here, given the combative role that the lawyers and courts often play.

I am a marriage and family therapist, and I have these thoughts for Dan Dorn: The truth is nearly always the best way to handle things. Children do well with tragic events when the adults around them help them make sense of their feelings.

If, upon seeing their mom, your triplets are upset and experience guilt concerning the outcome of their birth, then deal with that. Help them understand that bad and unfair things happen in life and that blaming does not make anything better.

It might be difficult for them, but you can all get through it together.

Though we wish we could cut out uncomfortable feelings and experiences in life, it is more productive to walk right through them.

At any age. If you can handle it, they can handle it.

Susan Nord
Santa Monica

I’m at a loss for words.

How can a husband who once committed to his wife forget that she is the reason why he is now a parent to three beautiful children? Yes, he lost a wife -- but he gained so much.

My highest respect to Abbie’s parents. Their love for their daughter will move mountains!

When children are this young, they only understand the simple things -- like a hug from their mother or father. I don’t think they will judge their mother.

Carmen Andrade
Pico Rivera

The feminine critique

Re “Compromising with the Taliban,” Opinion, April 11

Here we go again. When will women understand that they are not part of the human race?

In America, to get a healthcare bill passed, women had to further lose access to healthcare (yes, abortion is healthcare).

In Afghanistan, according to Doyle McManus, “one of [our] proudest achievements was the liberation of the country’s women from oppression. . . . It is a bitter irony that peace talks . . . will put these women at even greater risk.”

In Afghanistan, women are killed, abused and kept prisoners in their homes in the name of religion. McManus quotes a diplomat: “Women’s rights don’t matter all that much when people are being killed.”

No wonder feminists have to explain that “feminism is the radical notion that women are people.”

Roslyn E. Walker
Marina del Rey

A downed plane and a president

Re “A deadly decision,” Opinion, April 13

Although I agree that questions remain surrounding the recent plane crash that took the life of the Polish president and his staff, I am appalled by what appears to be an accusation that the president was to blame.

Just because there was a previous incident of the president requesting his plane land in a threatening environment does not mean that this pilot was “unable to resist pressure from the president.”

To assume that President Lech Kaczynski felt “left out” of the ceremonies that had taken place earlier in Katyn is also very disturbing.

Unless Adam Chmielewski and Denis Dutton were in the president’s head, they can’t truly understand what he was feeling. Worse, Kaczynski is not here to defend himself against their accusations.

Dawn Osberg
Newbury Park

Put in real effort to fight gangs

Re “Effort to combat gang violence is scaled down,” April 12

A $1.1-million initiative to combat gang violence is ridiculous. It is like using a bucket to bail out a sinking ocean liner.

How many millions are in the county supervisors’ slush fund now? Maybe they could kick in a little?

Philip Raycraft
Los Angeles