An attempted terrorist attack using air cargo; Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert’s rallies in D.C.; Tim Rutten on the politics of global warming

Targeting terrorism

Re “Planes were bombs’ target,” Nov. 1, and “Terrorist attack on U.S. foiled,” Oct. 30

When I read this article, I couldn’t help but wonder: “Why from Yemen?”

Now I know. We (the U.S.) are bombing Yemen with drones, bringing the number of sovereign countries we are bombing at will to three: Iraq, Afghanistan and now Yemen. I didn’t know Congress had declared war on those countries.

What the hell are we doing? Two things: guaranteeing an endless supply of people willing to kill us and income for defense contractors and arms dealers for decades to come.

We should be ashamed.

Charles Fernandez

Los Angeles

Might I suggest that shipping firms not “able to meet the August deadline that 100% of cargo … be screened” have their Interstate Commerce Commission licenses suspended until there is compliance.

Naively, I thought government was in the business of making and enforcing laws and rules to promote national safety and welfare. More and more it seems that not annoying mega-businesses is its chief responsibility.

Richard P. McDonough

Irvine

I read with amazement that a terror attack was foiled. We all know that President Obama and the incompetent Democrats don’t know how to protect us from terrorists.

I think The Times should report on the real story: How George W. Bush and the Republicans were able to pull this off from behind the scenes.

Mitch Faris

Orange

Sanity only goes so far

Re “Crowd goes crazy over rally’s plea for sanity,” Oct. 31

I commend The Times for its portrayal of the nonpolitical nature of the “Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear.”

I was there, right in the middle of it, before, during and after. It was used by very, very few for political activism. Some people directly referenced the “ tea party,” healthcare reform and gay rights. But the “activism” by the vast majority was for turning down the extremism and trying to be more truthful and realistic.

Thank you for not distorting this story, as some have, to try to turn it into something divisive.

Steven Miller

Pacific Palisades

Much is made of the plea for sanity in politics. More to the point, we need to start with a plea for sanity in faux rallies and media reporting.

The article reports, “As organizers had promised, the rally sought to avoid any partisan message.” This was followed by the description of signs “jabbing at Republicans and the ‘tea party’ movement” and the Alaska AFL-CIO president’s sign mocking Sarah Palin.

Betty Arenson

Valencia

Re “Some sanity on ‘Sanity’ please,” Editorial, and “In irony we trust,” Opinion, Oct. 29

Your editorial and Will Bunch’s Op-Ed article miss the point. Trying to classify the rally as either comedy or politics is futile. Politics and comedy are part and parcel of every human activity.

Bunch correctly dubs Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert “ satire twins.” Satire helps deflate arrogance and pomposity by allowing ordinary folks to decipher the pronouncements and behavior of those who would seek to lead them — or, more often than not, mislead them.

Satirists provide a clear window on the events of their time and the ongoing human condition. Stewart and Colbert, among others, fulfill this need admirably.

Tony O’Doherty

Bermuda Dunes, Calif.

Cast out over climate change

Re “Delusions, dollars and climate,” Opinion, Oct. 30

Tim Rutten makes an astute comparison between the tobacco industry’s disinformation campaign and the energy companies’ massively funded propaganda machine. There’s one difference: The climate deniers apparently have God to galvanize their troops.

The irony is that the stated mission of the energy puppets in Congress — to haul respected climate scientists into congressional interrogations — smacks of China’s Cultural Revolution, born from a fascist system they shrilly detest. That witch hunt of scientists and educators to seize power also included, wouldn’t you know it, the persecution of Muslims and the burning of the Koran.

Katie Carothers

North Hills

Rutten attempts to link the growing skepticism in man-induced global warming to the emergence of the tea party movement.

Skepticism began in earnest with the revelation of the Climategate e-mails; it accelerated when we learned of the sloppy but politically expedient errors contained in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s most recent report.

Marty Callahan

Ladera Ranch

True believer

Re “When blasphemy is a crime,” Editorial, Oct. 27

I bring a unique perspective to the table when discussing religion and blasphemy. You see, I hold fundamentalist beliefs in all known religions. Naturally, I believe in the unerring truth of all creation stories. From Adam and Eve in Genesis, to Osiris succeeding Ra with the help of his wife Isis, to Xenu being the galactic overlord — they’re all true.

Sure, it can be a little confusing, and I’m offended pretty much constantly, but it’s worth it to me to have all the bases covered.

That said, who could possibly have objections to bringing us more in line with our ancestors, who really knew how to enjoy a good burning at the stake? Also, how can anyone truly be free if others are allowed to challenge one’s beliefs? The freedom to never be offended is crucial in our modern society, just as it was in the past.

So United Nations, go ahead and make the world a better place by making sure no one defames religion. What could possibly go wrong?

John Mathieu

San Pedro

No bullying

Re “Defunding bullies,” Editorial, Oct. 28

As a mother of school-age children, although I support the Department of Education’s threat to withhold federal funding from schools that fail to stop bullying, I think it is the wrong approach. The department is not being proactive.

The Department of Education is not going to be there protecting my children while they are being bullied in school. The key here is preventing bullying with effective programs that transform schools into productive, safe places. This should be the answer.

Kristi Heicke

Long Beach

Baffled by BP

Re “BP knew cement was poor quality before its use in well,” Oct. 29

It’s always certain that there’ll be a laugh a day in The Times. On Friday it was at the expense of BP and the famously rich and pompous Halliburton. Will this horror never end?

They knew before the explosion that the concrete mix was no good, used it anyway, men died — and there’s still no indictment from the feds. They’re just as dangerous as Al Qaeda.

Vince Watson

West Hollywood

Not cool

Re “Is Obama being too cool?” Opinion, Oct. 29

At last I understand the Republican position.

Ronald Brownstein writes: “GOP Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has told the National Journal that his top priority is to make ‘Obama ... a one-term president.’ ”

All these years I’ve been thinking the top priority of every senator was the well-being and improvement of America.

Michele Hart-Rico

Los Angeles