Looming state budget cuts; The Times’ series on autism; and Lowe’s pulls its ads from a TV show on Muslim Americans

A 1% solution?

Re “$1 billion in state cuts to kick in soon,” Dec. 14

After reading the story about $1 billion in state cuts that will affect full-time workers’ day care for their children, resources for the developmentally disabled, struggling college students’ tuition and our doomed libraries, I turned the page and noticed four ads.

Tiffany’s advertised $6,500 earrings; Maurice Lacroix had watches for as high as $5,700; Dior watches were priced as high as $5,200; and there was an ad for Rolex, whose watches go for $15,725.

There is something surreal and even sickening about this discrepancy. It gives whole new meaning to the term “1%.”

Christine Baron

Irvine

The battle against autism

Re “Discovering Autism: Unraveling an epidemic,” Dec. 11

When my son was diagnosed with autism in 1997, we went to at least five doctors, desperately trying to find someone who would tell us that our son did not have autism. Receiving this devastating diagnosis profoundly changed our lives.

At 2 years old, my son was a babbling baby; by 3 he had stopped talking and cried uncontrollably, unable to communicate.

We did not have to manipulate the system to get services. While other kids played soccer, my son went to speech therapy. When other families went on vacation, we stayed home.

Your article gives the impression that families seek this diagnosis to get preferential treatment. In reality, no one wants a diagnosis of autism.

Yudi Bennett

Glendale

I am a psychologist who specializes in the treatment of children with autism. It is important to understand that the research on the increase in the diagnoses of autism is mixed.

Increased awareness of the condition can itself result in wider identification of individuals affected. At the same time, it is quite possible that changes in environmental and genetic factors may play a major role.

In any case, the causes are not at all clear, and there is a desperate need for further research.

Brandt Chamberlain

Sierra Madre

My sister, who was born in 1947, was diagnosed with autism later in life. She was not treated as a child. She worked for a while but eventually was not able to keep a job, ending up completely dependent on our mother.

There are many adults with autism who have not been treated. From my experience, I am certain that the financial and emotional costs of dealing with an untreated autistic adult is much greater than it is for children.

Harvey Rich

Thousand Oaks

Re “Discovering Autism: Warrior parents,” Dec. 13

Thank you for pointing out the inequality that exists with regard to services for autistic children.

Knowing that the state spends on average almost twice as much on a white autistic child compared to a black child makes one wonder what other inconsistencies there are in the delivery of special education services for children of color.

It is time we addressed these issues and allowed all students to benefit from the vital services special education children and their families depend on.

Tom Iannucci

Los Angeles

Advertising controversy

Re “Lowe’s has rights too,” Editorial, Dec. 14

As a scholar who has spent decades conducting research and working with a service organization in the Dearborn, Mich., Muslim community, I am pleased to see a television series portraying a variety of family and school situations in the community.

Though it clearly does not represent all Muslims in America, it does give the viewer an up-close look at the challenges and differing responses of a diversity of families. The program also reflects some political challenges at a time of increased Muslim bashing.

Lowe’s may have brought the show a bigger audience — and definitely a boycott by many people of conscience.

Barbara Aswad

Claremont

State Sen. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) is an example of how term limits burn through qualified lawmakers. Rather than take on some of the huge problems facing our state, he’s launched a campaign against a company that’s not even based here.

Doesn’t Lieu realize that he has no control over who spends how many advertising bucks where? Companies place ads to attract customers, so it would be counterproductive to spend ad money to drive away their customers, whether these monies are spent on a show about Muslims or a sporting event.

Lieu isn’t addressing the real problems facing Californians. What world is he living in?

Meade Fischer

Watsonville, Calif.

Dude, where’s my car?

Re “LAPD to change impound rules,” Dec. 14

Have Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa looked into California’s financial responsibility law lately? What happens if a licensed driver is stopped and cannot provide proof of insurance? Having played by the rules for more than 50 years, will the city now cover me if I am hit by an unlawful driver?

If we could get all unlicensed drivers and uninsured vehicles off the road, we might just be able to enjoy driving again. Remember, it’s the state, not the city, that writes the rules for driving cars.

Don Marks

Chatsworth

What Beck is saying is that if an illegal immigrant doesn’t have a driver license or car insurance, they can call a friend or family member to pick up the car or drive it home.

I don’t know which is worse, an uninsured driver with no license or a drunk driver.

Charles P. Martin

Los Angeles

They’re on it

Re “Protect detainees too,” Editorial, Dec. 12

The Department of Homeland Security agrees that preventing sexual abuse is a vital part of our commitment to protect the health and safety of every individual in our immigration detention system.

We embrace the zero-tolerance policy embodied by the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), and our current detention standards mirror the Department of Justice’s draft PREA regulations. New draft detention standards currently in union negotiation contain even stronger provisions to prevent abuse.

Keys to eliminating sexual abuse of detainees are facilitating reporting by victims and robust investigation and response. At Homeland Security, every abuse allegation is thoroughly investigated, and we immediately take action to respond to reports of abuse or misconduct and to prevent future incidents.

We are not waiting for final PREA regulations. We’re taking action now to ensure safe and humane immigration detention conditions.

Margo Schlanger

Washington

The writer is officer for civil rights and civil liberties at the Department of Homeland Security.

Shelter horror

Re “Animal shelter worker fired,” Dec. 14

Not only did reading about the euthanasia practices of Manuel Boado bring me to tears, it made me sick. The environment portrayed of the last minutes of those helpless animals was heartbreaking. I can only hope that this man will be held accountable. Gandhi’s observation that the moral progress of a nation can be judged by the way it treats its animals couldn’t ring more true.

Elizabeth Morner

Glendale