L.A. Opera’s ‘Ring,’ patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border; the saga of Dan Point’s whale

Sour notes

Re “Barbs reveal a ‘Ring’ divided,” May 14

At last! It is revealed that Emperor Achim Freyer has no clothes, something patently obvious to those of us who have endured his abortive “Ring of the Nibelung” production these last two seasons at the Los Angeles Opera.

Freyer’s cartoonish concepts mocked Richard Wagner’s complex dramatic vision and transcendent musical score. He ignored completely the practical issues of performers. It was pathetic to observe a fine singer like John Treleaven injure himself and then bravely soldier on in this idiotic production.

Perhaps Wagner’s egomaniacal “Ring” invites idiosyncratic approaches, but I spend big bucks to hear marvelous singing and inspiring orchestral playing in a dramatically supportive production, not a public display of self-gratification by a delusional stage director.

Jerome S. Kleinsasser

Bakersfield

That performers are struggling with “a steeply tilted stage, bulky costumes and oversized masks” is not surprising.

When I attended the L.A. production of “Parsifal” several years ago, Wagner’s music and the libretto were overshadowed by a huge neon-lit Plexiglas donut that hovered above the stage. A hapless Placido Domingo was directed to sing while lying on his back on the stage. I overheard another audience member say, “I’m sorry, but when I saw that donut come down out of the sky, I just got the giggles.” All very avant garde, but also bizarre.

The Long Beach Opera’s abbreviated “Ring” production several years ago demonstrated how modern costuming and minimalist staging can support and enhance an opera. .

I would rather pay to see opera presented on a bare stage than see how grotesquely the latest director can reimagine the classic operas.

Gerry Torribio

Pomona

No way to police a border

Re “U.S. border towns don’t live up to their notoriety,” May 14

It isn’t until the last few paragraphs that we learn of the law enforcement strategy that is having success at the border. Officers provides safe harbor in U.S. border towns for Mexican hit men. The killers travel to Mexico to assassinate Mexican citizens, then return to their safe harbor in a border town — as long as they don’t act out while in the U.S.

Let’s hope the Arizona law forces these officers to actually enforce the law.

Bill McClure

South Pasadena

Let me get this straight: U.S. Customs and Border Security Commissioner Alan Bersin knows instinctively that the border is “not out of control.” Millions of illegals are in the country, and most crossed our southern border.

I wonder if his instincts tell him that millions of illegals constitute a loss of border control?

Randy Morris

Hemet

Re “Streamline the border? No,” Opinion, May 14

Joanna Lydgate argues that there is “no convincing proof that Operation Streamline reduces undocumented immigration.”

There are only two sectors that have fully implemented the program: Del Rio, Texas, and Yuma, Ariz. In the Yuma sector of the Arizona border, where Operation Streamline is fully implemented, apprehensions of those illegally trying to cross the border have decreased from 118,530 in 2006 to just 6,954 in 2009, a 94% reduction.

In the Tucson sector, where Operation Streamline has only limited implementation, apprehensions still hovered at an alarming 241,673 in 2009.

The courts in these areas are dealing with a big increase in the number of immigration-related cases. But instead of giving up on a program that has proved effective, we should provide the courts with the necessary resources.

Operation Streamline is a deterrent that works.

Sen. Jon Kyl

(R-Ariz.)

Miranda rights and wrongs

Re “Miranda matters,” Editorial, May 13

Many of us outside the legal profession believe that this procedure is an arcane rule that in practice substitutes for the actual pursuit of justice.

No reasonable adult can grow up in this country without having been informed of the right to remain silent and to have an attorney. Hence being read one’s Miranda rights does not provide new information. Its real effect is implicit advice not to cooperate with authorities. The primary result of this is that those who are actually guilty increase their chances of escaping consequences.

Does Miranda advisement ever prevent false confessions? Of course not — these are individuals who have no desire to “remain silent.”

There is no social or moral good to weigh against the unfortunate fact that Miranda advisement causes some who have committed crimes to be freed.

Cyril Barnert

Los Angeles

One thing is clear: When the Obama administration — the Obama administration! — is proposing changing the Miranda rule, the terrorists have won.

Mark Donnelly

Sherman Oaks

Two candidates, lots of money

Re “GOP bid for gov. becomes a brawl,” May 16

What a disgusting display of lack of compassion from the two GOP candidates for governor, especially Meg Whitman. That she would begrudge what amounts to daily survival for those unfortunate enough to have to struggle to feed their children is too much for me to understand.

That she is still considered the front-runner for the GOP nomination is even more troubling. How can any decent person even consider voting for this individual for anything that requires even a little understanding of fellow citizens who need help the most?

The GOP’s “family values” thing went out the window a long time ago, but Whitman elevates despicable greed and behavior to an art form.

Homer Alba

Glendale

I read recently that Whitman injected another $5 million into her campaign, shortly after Steve Poizner put $2.5 million of his own money into his campaign.

These self donations put into stark relief questions about where our monies are spent. The same amount that Whitman donated to her campaign is what Homeboy Industries needs to sustain its operations.

John Steele

Glendale

Goodbye, Lilly

Re “Distressed whale doesn’t survive,” May 16

What began as a tragedy in the making — turning to what appeared to be a saving grace of a gray whale in the Dana Point harbor — eventually ended in the saddest of scenarios.

“Lilly” had been entangled in rope and netting but was cut loose and, so it seemed, set free. However, Lilly was too weak to swim out and sadly died in the shallow surf.

For a few days we all were rooting for Lilly. And also for a few days, thoughts of the giant oil leak, the Arizona issue and more were temporarily put on hold.

We thank you, Lilly, at least for a few moments of hopeful possibilities.

Bill Spitalnick

Newport Beach

Thank you for publishing the quote from one of the people who attempted to save the whale by cutting away the fishing debris that entangled it: “We’ve got to find better ways of catching fish.”

How many animals succumb far away from the coast from this drifting debris? Our sadness can be allayed by seeing to it that destructive fishing methods are eliminated. There is no fish dinner worth the price of a Lilly.

Mary Clumeck

Santa Ana