Redemption for Michael Vick; the wisdom of the recall of Gov. Gray Davis; the perils of San Clemente

Is ‘I’m sorry’ enough?

Re “Obama draws fire for comments on Vick,” Dec. 29

There are many

kinds of bad conduct

in professional sports, but the conduct of Michael Vick is extremely shocking stuff. President Obama’s recent comments not only lessen the impact of Vick’s offense, they also help condone animal cruelty.

Has the president actually read or looked at what this talented and well-paid athlete was doing to living creatures, animals unable to defend themselves from the pain and torture they endured? This wasn’t simple cruelty but sadistic, psychotic behavior.

Yes, Vick was punished to the extent the law presently allows, which isn’t much. But is he truly repentant? How can anyone know?

The level of Vick’s brutality cannot be offset by a simple “I’m sorry.”

Janice Parente

Beverly Hills

I’m so torn. My gut tells me Vick is a monster of the worst kind. Then I see Obama, and there he is again, standing on that higher ground, expecting the best in people, and I’m left asking myself: What’s better?

That man is capable of redemption says a lot about the human spirit. If there is a silver lining in this, perhaps we find a man who becomes a righteous advocate for the humane treatment of animals globally. With Vick’s fame and money, it could happen, and that is the standard I’m going to personally set for him.

Obama’s comments set the bar higher for Vick than I believe Vick may have thought he would have ever set for himself. When a man of Obama’s standing sets the bar that high, you have no choice but to meet it.

Tally Briggs

Toluca Lake

All of those who have been convicted and served their sentences should have an opportunity for redemption.

If Vick had been convicted of an offense related to football, it would be fine with me if he were not allowed to play again. If Vick had been hired by someone to be a dog breeder, it would not be OK with me.

Greg Bristol

Santa Barbara

Still debating the recall

Re “We should have kept Davis,” Column, Dec. 28

George Skelton’s analysis is unique, because we are once again reminded of the source of the recall, which resulted in the difficult circumstances this state now faces: Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) and his financing of this ill-fated casting of an actor as governor.

Let’s remember that Issa, as the chairman-elect of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, now plans to unleash taxpayer-funded investigations to try to bring our national government to the same sorry end.

Paul Coony

Los Angeles

We did the right thing in recalling former Gov. Gray Davis. He had higher aspirations and was governing with a potential election in mind. Remember, Davis manipulated the 2002 GOP primary to favor conservative Bill Simon.

Furthermore, Davis vetoed motor vehicle legislation allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses, claiming it didn’t provide sufficient guarantees of security. When a beefed-up version was submitted, he vetoed that too. But when it became clear he was going to lose Latino voters in the recall, he signed the weaker bill.

The people have a right to know what their governor is going to do. With Davis, all we got was a California version of the Texas two-step.

Selby Jessup

Studio City

Tough choices for California

Re “2011: Turning point for the economy?,” Business, Dec. 26

Michael Hiltzik quotes me as saying, “We sometimes forget that we compete for people, not companies.” What I believe is that we compete for companies and people. Most of the decisions underlying California’s economic growth prospects will be private-sector decisions by entrepreneurs and families.

Yet these private decisions are made in a context of public policies. Will our schools be good enough to train California residents to fill the jobs we need? Will California’s infrastructure measure up to other states’? Will our communities be great places to live and work? Can we make the tough fiscal choices necessary to achieve budget balance while making the public investments that are critical to be a competitive state?

I agree that Gov.-elect Jerry Brown has a unique opportunity to launch a fact-based discussion of how California can compete in the 21st century.

Stephen Levy

Palo Alto

The writer is director of the Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy.

Hiltzik writes that Brown wants to “reform” the initiative process. I think it would be better to restore it to its original intent, which was to provide ordinary citizens with some access to legislative action. Corporate use of the process has driven the cost beyond the means of pure citizen groups.

I propose that either corporations not be allowed to use the process or that signature gathering be free of payment. Language ought to be clear, understandable and factual, and the media should provide time for education and debate on the issues. This would likely require a commission to oversee the process.

If an initiative is adopted, it also might be wise to provide a reasonable trial period in case the measure needs to be repealed or tweaked.

Kjersten Jeppesen

Canoga Park

School choices

Re “Mayor still has backing from labor,” Dec. 26

The following information published on Dec. 14 by California Watch, and not Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, will have the greatest impact on educational quality in California within the next decade: “The number of Californians seeking to become teachers has plummeted by 45% over a seven-year period, even as student enrollments are projected to rise by 230,000 over the next decade and as many as 100,000 teachers are expected to retire.”

And with so much teacher bashing coming from Los Angeles, you can be certain that the Los Angeles Unified School District will be the last to be able to recruit qualified teachers and to see any improvement for children who attend its schools.

Linda Mele Johnson

Long Beach

Pot justice

Re “Jurors are giving pot suspects a pass,” Dec. 25

The judge in Missoula expressed a legitimate concern when he remarked, “And I think if I excuse a quarter or a third of a jury panel just to get people who are willing to convict, is that really a fair representation of the community?”

Stunningly, the courts have looked the other way when capital defendants have raised the very same issue. They find it un-

acceptable to sentence defendants with jurors opposed to capital punishment and who are unwilling to condemn someone to death.

Jennifer Friedman

Los Angeles

Gender equality

Re “Taking refuge with the in-laws,” Dec. 25

Because down-and-out Philip Routh couldn’t find work and had to move in with his parents, his sister questions him, “What kind of man are you?”

How convenient to place the male of the family back into his traditional role as the necessary breadwinner. However, because there shouldn’t be any more role playing of the genders, shouldn’t someone ask Routh’s wife, “What kind of woman are you?”

Joe Davies

Covina

Scary city

Re “Paradise comes with perils,” Dec. 26

Thank you so much for pointing out the dangers of living in San Clemente.

In addition to tsunamis, earthquakes and nuclear power plant meltdowns, the hills that surround the city are full of rattlesnakes, mountain lions, ticks and poison oak. You also failed to mention several recent great white shark sightings.

People really should think twice about living anywhere near San Clemente!

Diana Graber

Capistrano Beach