Being tough on Ben Bernanke; looking back at the AIG bailout; more on helping Haiti

Not very gentle on Ben

Re “ Federal Reserve chief’s job on the line,” Jan. 23

It is a telling commentary on our fractious politics when populists from the left and right unite to protest Ben S. Bernanke’s reappointment as Fed chairman.

Wall Street Brahmins and Washington lackeys attempt to continue the charade that only a chosen few can manage the American economy. But the case against the chairman’s reappointment is overwhelming. He and his predecessor, Alan Greenspan, protected the banking system and their club of cronies to the detriment of the general population.

Whether Ben squeaks by or gets replaced, there is only one certainty: The royal scam that continues to grip the nation will continue by whatever means necessary.

Tom Tomeoni
Thousand Oaks

Rights, wrongs and terrorism

Re “Lapses hurt intelligence effort after failed jet attack,” Jan. 21

So, the chickens have come home to roost: The Times reports that the alleged underpants bomber, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, was read his Miranda rights, then clammed up.

President Obama’s policy of treating radical Islamic terrorism as a matter for civilian criminal courts has predictably thwarted efforts to gain intelligence about the activities of, for example, Al Qaeda in Yemen, and has thus made the world more dangerous for the American citizens he has pledged to protect.

Dick Cheney was right. And it will only get worse as amateur hour in the Oval Office continues. Despite Janet Napolitano’s absurd claim that “the system worked,” only collective action by individuals prevented a catastrophe.

The next three years may be a rough ride.

W.A. Sauvageot
Tustin

When Abdulmutallab was read his Miranda rights and given access to a lawyer, he was treated the way we want our legal system to protect us all. Isn’t this one of the things that makes us proud of our society, based on the rule of law?

And, yes, part of the cost of a strong legal system is losing chances to mistreat bad guys to gather information.

This was an example of competent law enforcement, not a lapse.

Anne Gero-Stillwell
San Diego

Econ 101

Re “Managing meltdowns,” Editorial, Jan. 23

The Times demonstrates a simplistic understanding of the credit crisis. AIG and others had to be bailed out because they had become giant octopuses with tentacles in every aspect of the economy once the New Deal’s firewalls were torn down. The failure of one would have led to the failure of all. They were “too big to fail.”

We can only prevent bailouts by ending the notion that some outfits are too big to fail. The Obama proposal is a common-sense measure to do just that, and it deserves The Times’ support.

Charles Delgadillo
Santa Barbara

Haitians need to help Haiti

Re “They own Haiti’s future,” Jan. 21

The Times did us all a favor by opening the discussion on Haiti’s “morally repugnant elites.” Governments and private citizens from around the world will contribute large sums of money to help reconstruct Haiti.

We should be doubly generous in helping to save, care for and feed the Haitian population, but we should demand that those rich families contribute their vast fortunes toward rebuilding. They have exploited the population for generations; they have stolen the riches of an entire country for their own personal gain; they have kept their own citizens poor and uneducated.

Let them contribute for once -- or, better yet, make them leave Haiti forever and let the Haitians reconstruct their country and society along with those who really want to help, and not simply enrich themselves further.

Andre LaFlamme
Studio City

Different views of voodoo

Re “Haitians see spirit world behind quake,” Column One, Jan. 23

I’m saddened to hear that evangelicals are using the tragedy in Haiti as yet another opportunity to eradicate indigenous beliefs.

Pat Robertson has been roundly criticized for his insensitive remarks, but he merely said what so many Christians think: that people who worship other deities are only serving the Christian devil and are punished by the Christian God when something bad happens.

It’s ironic that this very point of view has been the cause of many tragedies throughout modern history. Why do we say that we love religious freedom in this country and then rush to convert people in the Third World under the guise of relief?

William La Valley
Desert Hot Springs

In Haitian voodoo, people are told to believe that the world is populated with unseen devils who make people do things. Thus, if a man steals from a church plate, it is not his fault. One of the little devils made him do it. The man is not responsible.

Taking responsibility for one’s actions is key to all ethical behavior. As long as voodoo holds sway in Haiti, there is no hope that the country can solve its problems.

Jim O’Neill
Torrance

Faulty condoms

Re “China’s latest scandal over inferior goods? Condoms,” Jan. 21

To the list of tainted milk, poison toothpaste and other travesties may now be added Chinese production of condoms faked to appear brand-name and safe yet so shoddy that they “can break and spread disease.”

One can guess where they might now be found: in Haiti, southern Africa and other desperate places of intense poverty, suffering and need.

Al Roberts
Los Angeles

Business plan

Re “Letter reveals city plans for more layoffs,” and “In northeast L.A., many want to put ban on auto shops in reverse,” Jan. 21

The Times reports on planned city layoffs due to falling tax revenues.

In case no one has told Councilman Ed Reyes: auto businesses help produce tax revenue. The last thing the City Council should be doing is imposing cosmetic zone restrictions on businesses. If anything, it should be relaxing regulations so businesses can produce more revenue and help get the city out of the financial mess it has created.

If complaining residents end up killing these businesses, I hope they get singled out for a special parcel tax to make up for the lost funds.

Miguel Rosales
Glendale

A tale of two trash cans

Re “Long haul for trash fighter,” Column, Jan. 20

“Trash fighter” Boaz Hepner and I dream the same dream.

Years ago, I made 302 phone calls to the city of Santa Barbara about needing trash cans on two residential streets, close to fast-food places, which had come to resemble landfills. I was told the requested vessels had to be manufactured by a specific designer in order to blend with the artistic ambience of the city. They cost $1,500 each, and there wasn’t any room in the budget. I threw up my hands and moved away.

Seven years later, I got a call requesting the honor of my presence at two intersections in Santa Barbara to show the installer where to put my new trash cans.

I’m proud to have made that contribution to society. But if it takes seven years to get something as simple as this done, no wonder I’m not in the Senate pushing healthcare through.

Molly-Ann Leikin
Santa Monica

Missing Parker

Re “Robert B. Parker, 1932 - 2010,” Obituary, Jan. 20

Two large losses in Massachusetts in one week, but by far the worst is that of Robert Parker, a writer of great wit, erudition and imagination. I will truly miss him and his work.

As for the Democrats’ loss, politicians are a dime a dozen.

Raymond J. Melrose
Los Angeles