Re “Yellow light for hybrids” (Jan. 20): The logic of allowing hybrid cars with one passenger in the car-pool lanes escapes me. At highway speeds, hybrids run on their internal combustion motors, so any advantage in fuel savings is lost. Hybrids run most efficiently during stop-and-go driving. If the purpose of the law is to save gasoline, then why not allow work trucks into the car-pool lanes instead? Their mileage is highest at freeway speeds. This would cut down on pollution and lower your bill the next time you need a plumber or a landscaper. Matthew Schaaf Granada Hills Green eggs & Kobe Re “High walls make bad residents” (Jan. 22): I do not like to pass and make assists, I do not like them, Kobe-I-am I do not like them here or there, I do not like them anywhere. Not on a court, not with a team. Not here or there, not anywhere. Could you, would you, with a Shaq? Could you, would you, on a team? Could you, would you, with coach Phil? Could you, would you, in L.A.? Not with a Shaq. Not on a team. Not with coach Phil. Not in L.A. I need my 80. Gotta do it my way! Adam Platts Northridge Try no response Some 3,000 people died in the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, and that has changed our nation. When 3,000 soldiers have died in Iraq, will we then leave? Some 43,000 of our citizens die on our roads each year. Yet we drive. Roughly 34,000 people die of the flu despite our vaccines. Yet we live. Terrorists exist only because they create terror. But what if there is no response except that of law? Terrorists are unlikely to kill the 300 million of the United States, but fear may make those 300 million people, like sheep, give up their freedom for “safety.” Arthur Yuwiler Woodland Hills Burbank votes for change Re “Gordon wins seat on council” (Jan. 25): I am ecstatic at our special-election results. Burbank residents have voted for change – no more status quo, no secret deals for favored developers or special interests, no more “rubber stamping” developments, and a halt to airport expansion. David Gordon has an ear and heart for the people of Burbank and should be congratulated for his willingness and sacrifice to serve our city. I have no doubt he will do a tremendous job representing us residents and encourage all who voted for him to take an active role in the community to make sure the will of the people always prevails. Eric Michael Cap Burbank It’s happening here When we were young, they taught us about the evils of undemocratic societies like the Soviet bloc, the Third Reich or Maoist China. How there were no checks and balances built into those regimes’ infrastructure so no one could question or disagree with the executive’s governing and continuing consolidation of power. How the citizens of these societies were monitored without due process to prevent such questioning from evolving or spreading. How the people would be fed propaganda, foreign newspapers would be censored, and the national publications would dare not speak out against the government. How they would interrogate with torture in different places around the world without any regard for international treaties, morality, decency and humanity. How they would secretly supply, fund, and fuel revolutionaries around the world who could weaken their enemies on the other side even if it meant leaving them to be slaughtered in order to maintain a clean distance. How they would imprison people, without a trail, indefinitely. Step by step, all of these things are coming to pass here. Vincent Stancarone Hollywood Needless trip Re “L.A. to learn from NYC on homelessness” (Jan. 25): Once again, some politicians from Los Angeles are taking a vacation in New York City under the guise of learning how New York City manages to have only half as many homeless as L.A. Such necessary information is available by phone, fax, mail, etc. Despite huge budget deficits, the feeding frenzy at the public trough (taxpayers’ money) by some politicians never ceases. Everett P. Harrington Glendale Religious recruitment Every time there’s a movement to stop the ridiculous teaching of “intelligent design” (as science) in the public school system, someone writes and complains about a supposed “suppression of religion.” These writers make it sound like Christians are under siege in every phase of their everyday life. But I have never heard of forced agnosticism or of a movement to teach atheism in our public schools. I’ve never seen a church picketed on Sunday morning because an unproven, unobservable, unscientific myth is being lauded inside. Nonreligious thinkers don’t care what others believe, while the main tenet of Christianity seems to be “Go forth and cram our religious stuff down every unsuspecting throat you can find.” Teaching intelligent design seems like an oxymoron to me. Let’s call it what it is, recruitment! Howard Hale Lancaster Standing up Re “Alito virtually unstoppable” (Jan. 25): I’m proud of the Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee for standing up in force against Judge Samuel Alito’s nomination to the Supreme Court. Already a number of states are planning to outlaw abortion, licking their lips that there won’t be anyone on the Supreme Court to stand up for women’s privacy rights. Already President George W. Bush is flaunting his illegal wiretapping and refusing to stop torturing prisoners because there will be no Supreme Court to stop him. Is this what Americans want? I don’t think so. Joan Easley Woodland Hills Follow the Constitution Re “Alito virtually unstoppable” (Jan. 25): The reason why abortion is constantly an issue in Supreme Court confirmation hearings is because there is nothing in the Constitution that specifically addresses the subject. Because of that, pro-abortion activists are jittery because they know that Roe v. Wade is badly flawed, and that it could be overturned on almost a whim. According to the Constitution, Congress makes laws and the Supreme Court acts as a referee. Why are lawmakers – California Sen. Barbara Boxer, in particular – sweating over judicial candidates that might – gasp – act constitutionally as a referee, not unconstitutionally as a lawmaker? Sen. Boxer: You were elected to be a lawmaker; what are you waiting for? Introduce a bill to legalize abortion! Wouldn’t that solve the problem? Bill Tracy Glendale Exploitation? Re “Study: Day laborers face exploitation” (Jan. 22): If day laborers are so exploited, why is it, at an average wage rate of $10 per hour, they earn nearly 50 percent more than the California minimum wage? The fact is, day laborers and their employers freely enter a mutually beneficial relationship. To liken this arrangement to slavery, as some have done, is intellectual nonsense. James Daugherty Porter Ranch Oppose anti-Semitism God made the Jews his “chosen people” to be a “light unto the Nations.” The Jewish law and prophets have modeled God’s truth and ways, and molded society’s standards and successes. Jewish doctors, scientists and statesmen have contributed to the good in our world throughout civilized history. Yet Iran’s Islamic president says the Holocaust is a “myth” and Israel “must be wiped off the map.” Venezuela’s president states that “descendants of those who crucified Christ … have grabbed all the world’s riches for themselves.” History has shown that when anti-Semitism is allowed to spread beyond the cesspool of the mind that contains it, slaughter of innocents and the destruction of entire nations seem inevitably to follow. We must detect and actively oppose anti-Semitism wherever it rears its ugly head. Gary Curtis Van Nuys AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MORESanta Anita opens winter meet Saturday with loaded card160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! read more