Getting to the heart
Re “Limbaugh says he’s in good health,” Jan. 2
Rush Limbaugh was released from the hospital after his (undiagnosed) chest pains were found to be unrelated to heart disease. He proclaimed: "I don't think there's one thing wrong with the United States health system."
If Limbaugh lost his job (and his health insurance), could this overweight 58-year-old with a history of back problems, drug addiction and now undiagnosed chest pains even buy health insurance?
Nelson Costello
Los Angeles
The report on Limbaugh's heart episode states that there's nothing serious.
Of course not. Judging from his statements, he is heartless.
Irving Aptaker
Pasadena
A gang member's other life
Re “The American dream, with a twist,” Dec. 31
How dare you ruin my morning paper with an article and picture of some guy who is still involved with gangs? I really don't care if he is "reformed."
Why didn't you run an article about the bus driver on the No. 14 route who every morning greets his passengers with a smile?
Why not run a story on one of the many Latino LAPD officers who risk their lives to protect us from the gangs who terrorize their neighborhoods?
Or why not run a story on our firefighters who are on call 24/7 to protect us, regardless of race, color or creed?
I could go on and on. What were you thinking?
Kevin J. Long Knife
Burbank
As a law-abiding citizen, I was shocked to learn that good-paying jobs are going to people who are still involved in gangs. Now, whenever I pass a construction site, I will wonder whether the construction workers are gang members. It's a scary thought.
I also wonder how many labor laws have been broken. Based on Roberto "Flaco" Becerra's comments, I imagine his hiring preferences would be fellow gang members.
Additionally, I imagine it's a perfect cover for the gang's drug trade.
Obviously, crime does pay. This should be further investigated. No wonder America can't win the war on drugs or secure its borders.
Connie Tarvin
Los Angeles
Plenty of blame to go around
Re “Another failure to communicate,” Opinion, Jan. 3
The fact that Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was easily able to pass through airport security is not only deeply disturbing but a sign that despite 9/11, communication between intelligence agencies has not improved.
Was 9/11 not galvanizing enough for fellow intelligence agencies to start working together?
When the Bush administration promised that no such mistake would occur again, I felt reassured. Now, I can only hope the Obama administration will live up to what it promises and that some serious, tangible improvement will be made.
Luckily this terror plot failed, and hopefully it will be the stimulus needed to convince the intelligence agencies that something is seriously wrong and needs to be fixed immediately.
Vivek Manjunath
Mission Viejo
It wasn't "another failure to communicate," as Doyle McManus would have us believe, that led to the near-disaster on Christmas. It was the failure to follow the rules.
The employees of Northwest Airlines, an American-owned carrier, were informed years ago to be suspicious of any individual who purchased a one-way ticket, paid for that ticket with cash and traveled with little or no luggage. These individuals were to be subjected to more thorough screening than other passengers.
Abdulmutallab paid cash for a one-way ticket to Detroit and had no luggage. Using the screening formula, he should not have been allowed to board the plane without further scrutiny.
The rules had been communicated but were ignored.
A.R. George
Los Angeles
It starts with 'Made in China'
Re “Why Liu Xiaobo matters,” Opinion, Jan. 1
China's prosperity is built on its control of an enormous pool of cheap labor and its disregard for labor and human rights. American corporations happily went to China to take advantage of this cheap labor, draining Americans of decent-paying jobs while adding to our trade deficit. Essentially, they partnered with the Chinese to suppress rights while weakening American labor.
Washington cannot expect to influence the release of reformer Liu Xiaobo when it continues to allow the importation of cheaply manufactured Chinese products.
The Obama administration must limit the exodus of corporations to countries that do not respect the rights of workers. We can also go back to buying products from democratic countries such as Mexico and Canada. "Hecho en Mexico" is more in our interest than "Made in China."
If we take these steps, China will have to care about what the U.S. has to say about Liu Xiaobo's freedom.
Gilbert Varela
Eagle Rock
Saddleback's woes
