Two sides of Al

I always enjoy the columns of Al Martinez and found it hard to believe that another reader suggested firing him as a way to improve the Los Angeles Times [“A Color for All the Rest of Us,” May 2]. Martinez writes with compassion and deep regard for all humanity. He is a valuable asset to the newspaper.

Carol Karas

Camarillo

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Al Martinez’s column starts out with an eloquent nod to both sides of the political debate with the idea that both sides have contributions to make. He also makes a plea for a more civilized and tolerant style of debate.

He then goes on to ascribe to those who disagree with him an amazing list of heinous desires, from an attempt to “alter the process of free thought” to a desire to silence debate -- topped off with the calm question of whether they want to bring back the auto-da-fe of the Inquisition.

If Martinez wants a more temperate debate and an end to ugly political rhetoric, he may want to follow his own advice.

Kevin Peters

Fullerton