Santa Monica’s Christmas display fight; Bill McKibben on money and politics; expensive public care for a premature baby

Christmas spirit

Re “Away with the manger?,” Dec. 15

As a confirmed agnostic and active humanist, I am angered and perplexed by the actions of the “devout” atheists who have dominated the creche displays in Santa Monica.

I am angered because such disregard for the demonstration of deeply held beliefs by any religious group is inappropriate, and perplexed because it is ultimately counterproductive to efforts by atheists and agnostics to help those who are beginning to question their long-held beliefs to feel comfortable coming to the realization that there is another option.

I apologize on behalf of agnostics for this betrayal of correct social behavior.

Hugh Smart

Goleta, Calif.

The Santa Monica Christians protesting the use of a public park by those not of their faith should be happy that people all over the world celebrate Christmas as a secular holiday.

Anyone who has traveled or lived abroad knows that non-Christians put up decorations and exchange gifts during the Christmas season. After all, Christ probably wasn’t born around the winter solstice. And let us not forget that early Christians co-opted the pagan celebrations of Europe and made them their own.

Sharing, not displaying, mangers expresses the true Christmas spirit.

Hector Santos

Los Angeles

‘Tis the season again for more religious or secular bullying in the public square.

The “small group of out-of-town atheists” has succeeded in interrupting a 60-year Christmas tradition in Santa Monica. I am surprised, though, that these “out of towners” have somehow missed the big picture here.

Isn’t the name “Santa Monica” rather religious? Can “Monica-by-the Sea” be far behind?

Rodney Kemerer

Beverly Hills

Nothing in Santa Monica is more beautiful than the view of the ocean from Palisades Park, and nothing is more hideous than the loss of that view to a string of chicken coops full of tacky mannequins.

Three cheers to the atheists who are finally challenging the “sanctity” of this culturally arrogant tradition.

Brent Forrester

Pacific Palisades

Money inside the Beltway

Re “What stinks in D.C.,” Opinion, Dec. 14

Bill McKibben seems surprised that Rep. Lee Terry (R-Neb.) has taken $365,798 from fossil energy interests since 1999 and then has the chutzpah to say that he hasn’t been “bought off.” It’s obvious from his voting record that Terry is and has been doing the work of the energy industry, not the work of the people of his Nebraska district.

I’m not surprised at his shamelessness; I’m surprised that he was bought for so little. Terry has worked for much less over 12 years in Washington than one K Street fixer gets in a single year.

Shame on Terry. And shame on his constituents, who keep sending him back to Congress to work for the oil, gas and coal corporations.

Marvin J. Wolf

Mar Vista Heights

Yes, we should have public financing of campaigns, but the honor of our public figures is up to them, not us.

When I was a child, I was taught that our country’s leaders were people who wanted to serve the public and could be counted on to do the right thing. But today our leaders want prestige, power and personal gain, the public be damned.

The American people owe no one an apology. When we elect our politicians, of course we have the right to expect them to rise above temptation.

Betsy-Ann Toffler

Cypress

The price of saving a life

Re “Medical miracle saves baby, poses ethical dilemma,” Dec. 16

Though I am glad that modern medicine can help this child born four months premature, I cannot help but fear for us folks whose age and income place us outside the realm of Medi-Cal coverage but who still cannot afford an individual health insurance plan. What becomes of us?

If only we who pay the taxes that support Medi-Cal could get excellent care without having to worry about the bills. To paraphrase Bette Davis, Medi-Cal no-man’s land is no place for sissies.

G.A. Tamblyn

Palmdale

The fact that the parents’ economic status appears pivotal to the medical dilemma referred to here is chilling.

Is it really necessary that we know that the parents are on Medi-Cal? Would this baby’s care pose an ethical dilemma if the parents were more privileged?

It’s sad that the richest country in the world questions the worth of its most vulnerable citizens based on economic privilege.

Cathryn Roos

La Habra

It’s just over

Re “U.S. military role in Iraq formally ends,” Dec. 16

Nearly 4,500 U.S. troops were killed in the Iraq war, and about 32,200 were wounded.

In a ceremony at the Baghdad airport, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told 200 troops and some Iraqi officials that, though the cost in blood and treasure was high, “those lives were not lost in vain” because “they gave birth to an independent, free and sovereign Iraq.”

Not lost in vain? Really? The loss of a single American life for that hollow goal would have been one life too many.

David Stoughton

Santa Monica

On Hitchens

Re “Engaging, enraging author and essayist,” Obituary, Dec. 16

As Shakespeare said, “Nothing in his life became him like the leaving it.”

Whatever his irascibility and intellectual arrogance, Christopher Hitchens was a wonderful essayist. His final pieces as he faced the inevitable were as moving and honest as any ever written on the subject. He may not want the job, but heaven would do well to offer him a post as scribe.

Mashey Bernstein

Santa Barbara

Not Gingrich!

Re “Newtzilla to the rescue,” Opinion, Dec. 13

I’m astounded by the Republicans’ embrace of Newt Gingrich.

While Gingrich was cheating on his second wife, he was cheating with his educational nonprofit by using it for political purposes. He lied about his nonprofit and was fined $300,000. How can the Republican right ignore such behavior?

The best measure of a man is his past performance, and we know what happened when Gingrich had power. Power can corrupt, and that is exactly what happened to him. He was so overbearing that even today many of those Republicans who served with him do not want to see him as president.

I shudder to think of him as president of the U.S. God help us all if this man makes it that far.

Mary L. Adler

Ridgecrest, Calif.

Ah, Paris

Re “A Left Bank legend,” Obituary, Dec. 15

The obituary on George Whitman brought back wonderful memories.

Twenty-five years ago, after having lived in Paris a little over a year, I went to Shakespeare & Co. for the first time. I was looking for a book in English and was curious about the famous bookstore.

After finding my book, I asked a guy standing on a ladder where I might pay. He pointed to a metal box, told me to take whatever change I had coming, then reminded me to stamp the book with “Shakespeare & Co. — Kilometer Zero Paris.”

As I was about to leave, George Whitman introduced himself and asked if I could help him move some books.

I returned at least a dozen times, mostly to talk. Customers would come in and George would tell them to ask me for help. I took their money and stamped their books. It was wonderful.

James Mamer

Modjeska Canyon