The ending of U.S. combat operations in Iraq; the Boxer-Fiorina debate; tales of New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina

Not the president he voted for

Re “ Obama looks to home front,” Sept. 1

The real headline for The Times’ front-page article on President Obama’s speech is several paragraphs down: “He offered no new proposals to address those woes.”

We need something new.

I thought I was voting for a Roosevelt. I got a Hoover.

I don’t know what the Republicans are complaining about. Their Wall Street is the only thing that has recovered.

Don Ricketts

Santa Clarita

Given Obama’s redirection of priorities and resources to domestic problems, House Republican leader John Boehner asks a valid and important question in his call for the president to detail what the U.S. response should be if Iraq spirals into chaos.

This question illustrates so vividly the complexity of balancing national security with domestic issues and deficit spending. Because election season is upon us, it would be nice to hear Boehner’s answer to his own question.

John Brock

Hansville, Wash.

The president ended America’s participation in an unjust war. There was nothing to celebrate.

He inherited a war in Iraq he was against. The war was never our (the people’s) war. We were told to “go shopping.” We weren’t allowed to see our boys and girls who came home in coffins.

Far different than World War II, in which we all participated. I made bandages for the Red Cross; we collected tin cans.

The president talked about the bravery of our troops and how they did everything that was asked of them. He urged us as a people to do what we have to do together.

I pray that the American people — working as Americans, not as Democrats or Republicans — will together get our people back to work and the wheels back on our wagon. Yes we can!

Eileen Murphy

Huntington Beach

Worth it? That’s debatable

Re “Senate hopefuls wage hard battle in 1st debate,” Sept. 2

Although I have voted in every general election since 1972, watching the Barbara Boxer- Carly Fiorina debate provided ample reason to stop.

It is not that there are no ideological differences between the two. Boxer is clearly a traditional liberal Democrat, and Fiorina is clearly a moderate to conservative business-

oriented Republican.

But what I “learned” based on Boxer’s remarks is that Fiorina wants to destroy California’s economy by shipping jobs overseas, and that she wants to destroy the California coast. I “learned” from Fiorina that Boxer cares more about the constitutional rights of terrorists than about American citizens, and that she wants to destroy California’s economy.

Both candidates deserve to lose, not because of what they would support if elected but because of what they are willing to say to get elected.

David M. Marcus

Los Angeles

The debate impressed me for the amount of facts, figures and views each provided.

I see Boxer as a champion of the issues and interests facing all Californians.

Fiorina is a boardroom chief executive and champion of big-business interests.

So I asked myself, if I had to request assistance from my senator, which one would be more approachable and helpful?

Patricia Monahan

Long Beach

Boxer stated: “This election is between someone who’s fighting for jobs day in, day out — jobs right here in America, versus someone when she had the chance laid off 30,000 workers and shipped jobs to China.”

Boxer failed to acknowledge the major role her anti-business and environmental positions played in making it necessary for U.S. companies to move jobs offshore to remain competitive. Her rhetoric is simply inconsistent with her failed positions and the lack of accomplishment during her 18 years in the Senate.

Thomas R. Damiani

Newport Beach

Lest we forget what led to the current economic crisis, Californians should be aware of an important nuance from the debate. “Cut through regulations” was a phrase repeatedly uttered by Fiorina when discussing what it would take to stimulate business. She also criticized Boxer for not waiving a biological assessment relating to water usage in the Central Valley.

Business leaders with little regard for regulation and the environment are directly to blame for the current crises that are devastating our nation. Fiorina has made it clear that she is not the kind of senator a forward-thinking state like ours needs.

Shawn Kirchner

La Verne

Flying high — prices, that is

Re “Airline fees keep arriving, nonstop,” Column, Sept. 1

Michael Hiltzik makes some good points but ignores the fundamental issue: People overwhelmingly choose flights based on price.

A few years back, one airline added several inches of legroom to all seats on its planes (the “more room throughout coach” program). But passengers didn’t care; they just wanted the cheapest flight, period.

Randall Gellens

San Diego

To Hiltzik’s excellent column, I can add my personal experience.

In April, I took a “free” flight on frequent flier miles. I was charged a $100 “award redemption fee.” Yes, it was a $100 fee to claim my “free” flight, booked online. And, of course, I paid $50 to check my suitcase for the round trip. So I paid a total of $150 for this “free” trip.

Bruce Janger

Santa Monica

Tales from the eye of the storm

Re “In the thick of Katrina,” Column One, Aug. 28, and “Facing Katrina demons,” Aug. 30

I just want to thank The Times and David Meeks for a spellbinding story of the harrowing days after Hurricane Katrina hit. What courage those reporters showed to get us the story, and Meeks such heroism in saving his dog, Carson.

Paul L. Hovsepian

Sierra Madre

Thank you so much for continuing to write about our city. My husband and I have run a small B&B inn in the lower Garden District for 30 years.

Five years ago, after the “thing,” we were very worried. The tourist business dried up. But then, you know what happened? Volunteer groups happened. They became our new “tourists.” Many of them were from your city. They worked like dogs, doing whatever needed to be done.

We gave them dirt-cheap rates, and let them know how much we appreciated the wonderful, selfless, backbreaking work they did for our people. And they helped us stay in business.

Joanne Hilton

New Orleans