FEEDBACK

The paper should take more care with the turn of a phrase (“Parade of

lights,” Monday). The article about the Christmas lights on Balboa Island

referred to a “neighbor’s gaudy light arrangement.” I have walked my

granddaughters by that home to their great delight, as well as seen it

from our boat. It is magnificent in its spirit, as well as its

composition.

When a homeowner takes the time to build a display like that, it

should be applauded not dismissed with a throwaway line such as the one

in Monday’s paper. Thousands of people have enjoyed that home and the

owner’s generous time and effort.

Also, I’d like to know how all the boats in the boat parade got under

the bridge to Balboa Island, as reported in the same issue of the paper.

Last time I checked, there’s no way some of those boats fit under that

bridge.

Enlighten me (pun intended).

DIANE WILLIAMS

Newport Beach

Why print DUI arrests, but no other offenses?

Would the Daily Pilot please offer some thoughtful explanation that

would justify the practice of systematically publishing the names of

persons arrested for driving under the influence, and little or no

exposure to those arrested for other offenses.

Your almanac section of the paper tells us only that they are innocent

until proved guilty, but we already knew that. I would hope that your

reasons don’t include some third-grade psychobabble that public exposure

could motivate them to curtail their alcohol abuse. It may or may not.

Perhaps you could rotate the exposure on a monthly basis. January, you

publish those arrested for white collar crimes. Let’s give them

sleazeball 15 minutes of fame. February can feature child molesters

arrested, and where space allows, red light runners, and on and on

throughout the year.

Everybody gets to be embarrassed in print, or nobody does. Choose one.

GARY E. DRIES

Costa Mesa

*EDITOR’S NOTE: The Daily Pilot publishes the names of individuals

arrested on suspicion of drunk driving because it is an offense that can

lead to deaths. Other arrests for serious offenses, such as child

molestation, are covered in news stories.

Columnist is right on

Daily Pilot columnist Byron de Arakal was remarkably accurate and

insightful in his recent column (“Newport must stay united in battle for

El Toro airport,” Dec. 6).

His obvious knowledge of our airport concerns is impressive, as is his

ability to read “between the lines.”

I’m looking forward to more of his future columns.

BONNIE O’NEIL

Newport Beach

Looking out for science

Regarding an article (“In the classroom: Celling out,” Tuesday), I

simply wanted to let you know that there is no such thing as “ribosomal

nucleic acid.”

This is not RNA. RNA is an acronym for ribo- or ribose- nucleic acid,

to differentiate it from deoxyribose nucleic acid, or DNA. However, you

were close, in that RNA is further broken into three types: messenger RNA

(mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA).

The type rRNA is a special RNA that is found, not surprisingly, in

ribosomes, which you correctly stated were where proteins are made in the

cell.

Just trying to keep the science straight.

PETER KRUTZIK

Researcher, UC Irvine