Letters to the editor: The ‘Irvine 11’; Iraq after the U.S.; illiteracy in South Africa

The rule of law

Re “Punishing the ‘Irvine 11,’ again,” Editorial, Sept. 25

You claim that the punishment meted out to the group of UC Irvine students for disrupting a speech by Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren last year was too harsh. Silencing the free-speech rights of another, particularly an invited guest of the university, is more serious than a college prank.

I could possibly agree with you if only one or two students were involved. But the disruption was planned in advance. It is long past time to set an example for those who wish to squash the free-speech rights of others. Those who deny free-speech rights to others must pay a price sufficient to send the message that mob rule will not be tolerated.

Harry Komsky

Redondo Beach

The lack of proportionality in the UC Irvine students is disturbing on many levels. These students were disciplined by the university, and their organization, the Muslim Student Union, was suspended. This would seem sufficient, given the fact that there was never any violence. The Israeli ambassador was able to continue his speech after the students agreed to leave the forum when told to do so.

“Tea party” members have been shown disrupting and insulting speakers whom they find objectionable. And not only have none of them been charged with 1st Amendment violations, but in some quarters they are lauded for their passion.

In front of the Santa Ana Central Library, a stone’s throw from the courtroom where the conviction took place, there is a statue of Alex Odeh, the Palestinian advocate murdered for his beliefs. I wonder if statues can bear tears?

Ron Terranova

Huntington Beach

The Times appropriately agrees that the students’ conduct was illegal. However, the editorial should have noted that the students will have an opportunity to expunge their records after fulfilling their probation terms. Thereafter, they may legally answer “no” to any questions regarding criminal conviction.

Orange County Dist. Atty. Tony Rackauckas should be praised for filing criminal complaints in both this and the Fullerton officers’ case, demonstrating the wisdom and evenhandedness of his office.

Nina Rose Brice

Laguna Woods

They won’t take no for an answer

Re “There’s no sign of a deal in the Capitol,” Sept. 26

The Republicans’ one-note song of “no, no, no” makes it appear as if they are, once again, trying to frighten the American public into getting on board their little red political wagon.

During the George W. Bush years, the Republicans tried to frighten Americans into giving up some basic freedoms. Now they are trying to frighten the public with recurring threats of shutting down the government if they don’t get their way.

It’s either their way or the highway; oh, that’s right, they don’t want to fund those either.

Terry Burd

Laguna Niguel

When will congressional Republicans be held accountable for their obstructive ways? Disaster relief needs to be fully funded so the people affected by Hurricane Irene can rebuild their lives.

Congressional Republicans need to called out or recalled if they fail to fulfill their duties.

Joe Martinez

El Segundo

Booing Buffett

Re “ ‘Buffett Rule’ a bust here,” Column, Sept. 22

I’m glad to read that California was not as stupid in writing income tax laws as the Republicans in Congress. But Warren Buffett had a special kind of unfairness reserved for California. He took aim at our property tax laws.

Buffett once pointed out that the taxes on his house in Orange County were less than his neighbors’ because they bought their homes at a peak while he had bought his years ago. His rule for California is to get rid of Proposition 13.

Without a stable property tax, we can never tax incomes enough to properly balance our budget.

Emil Lawton

Sherman Oaks

Make Iraq pay

Re “Iraq, minus the U.S.,” Editorial, Sept. 22

While most Americans are saying “enough already” to spending another nickel to keep troops in Iraq to secure our gains, and while total withdrawal would probably result in bloody turmoil, what should we do when Iraqi authorities plead for a resumption of our

services?

I say, charge ‘em. Sure, let’s send troops, drones and weapons back, but at a cost to them in money or oil — just like we sell other nations planes, ships and ammo.

Iraq and the U.S. are square after 10 years of spending our blood and treasure. If it needs us to avert war, Iraq must purchase what security it needs from us while we’re struggling to rebuild our economic foundation.

Jules Brenner

Hollywood

Mandela’s way

Re “Getting the word to the illiterate,” Column One, Sept. 22

It was with a good deal of sadness that I read Robyn Dixon’s article about the significant portion of South Africa’s townships and squatter camps that seem to have a cultural bias against reading. Reading is often seen as “un-African” and “not cool.”

The beautiful rainbow country of South Africa needs to look no further than its own Nelson Mandela to cite a prime example of the power derived from a respect for and joy of reading.

While he was imprisoned on Robben Island, Mandela craved any information from the outside world. He mentions in his autobiography some of the ingenious strategies he and his fellow inmates devised to smuggle messages in and out and to share newspapers and books. Robben Island became known as Mandela University.

Mandela’s life demonstrates that reading is not only “cool,” it is revolutionary.

Stan Seidel

Rancho Palos Verdes

Sexist TV

Re “Chick flick TV,” Opinion, Sept. 22

There is no such thing as “just entertainment.” Images that are disseminated to mass audiences are always about identity and are always laden with meanings. It’s about time that responsible journalists learn that and stop buying into Hollywood’s PR.

The revival of bimbo sex-object femininity in TV shows such as “The Playboy Club” and “Pan Am” speaks to the increasingly entrenched and dangerous anti-intellectualism in American culture. Let’s deflect women away from the site of their true empowerment — their intellect — and get them fixated on their appearance and sex appeal. Whom does that benefit?

Hollywood is part of the problem, and it’s about time for America to acknowledge that, even if you live in L.A.

Susan Hunt

Los Angeles

The writer is a film studies instructor at Santa Monica College.

PTSD and you

Re “Perils of the PTSD defense,” Editorial, Sept. 23

Post-traumatic stress disorder is not, as you put it, “a talisman for leniency.”

Fundamental to “your” constitutional rights in a criminal case is the principle that a crime requires the concurrence of an act and criminal intent. If an accused suffers from PTSD, then that disorder, under certain circumstances, may lawfully excuse or mitigate a crime because the required mental element (criminal intent) necessary for a conviction is not proved. It has nothing to do with leniency.

Before you limit the rights of others, remember it’s not their rights you are limiting, it’s also your own. Legitimate and recognized defenses protect you.

Jay Jaffe

Beverly Hills