Help for Homeboy
Re "L.A.'s Homeboy Industries lays off most of its employees," May 14
As someone who recently visited Homeboy Industries and met with Father Greg Boyle, I was deeply saddened, yet not surprised, to read of the layoff of staff members.
As a hospital chaplain in Long Beach and Oxnard in recent years, I personally witnessed the tragedy of gang violence and the impact on young lives and the community these young adults live in.
We are all facing very challenging times. Our state and local governments are stressed, to say the least. As history teaches us, difficult times are opportunities to clarify what is truly lasting; what is truly central to the meaning of our lives.
Though it is commendable that our community recently rallied to preserve the Hollywood sign, isn't
it telling about our priorities that our community could not do the same for the healing work of Homeboy Industries?
I trust we can learn, and move positively forward in wise action.
Larry Ehren
Cerritos
Whitman and Goldman Sachs
Re "Whitman's words put spotlight on her deeds," May 12
The Times faults Meg Whitman for cutting a deal with Goldman Sachs at a time when Goldman was considered golden.
You also fault her for having been involved in lawsuits, which few in our litigious society can escape because our existing laws appear to encourage them. Many such cases are settled as a practical matter, because the legal cost and energy involved in defending a suit can be enormous and the outcome uncertain regardless of its merit.
Although I have not decided on giving Whitman my vote, I believe that your report was grossly unfair.
John T. Chiu
Newport Beach
Much to be worried about here: dubious judgment, an unwillingness to be accountable, a troubling litigation history. But nothing is more annoying than this: "Whitman declined to be interviewed, referring questions to her campaign staff."
Offered a forum to pitch her candidacy in plain terms, she declines. Apparently there's more to lose than to gain by communicating directly.
When it comes to the voting booth, I think I'll follow Whitman's lead and similarly "decline" the opportunity.
Will Thomas
Hermosa Beach
Thanks for your article detailing Whitman's history of shady dealings.
From the article, a pattern of rationalization and failing to address ethical issues directly emerges. In one example, you quote her as having written that "such investment opportunities were common at the time."
This type of "everyone else was doing it" answer is the sort of excuse I would expect from a naughty child, not the next governor of California.
David Salahi
Laguna Niguel
A climate bill for everyone
Re "Kerry cites urgency on climate change bill," May 12
The climate bill is a necessity. The debacle in the Gulf of Mexico clearly underscores this.
Anyone still pondering the merits of a shift to clean-energy sources may deserve a dirty and climatically unstable future, but the rest of us don't.
The bill isn't perfect, but it moves us in the right direction. Let's pass it now.
G. Colby Allerton
Richmond, Calif.
Re "Oil executives trade blame in Senate grilling," May 12
Don't blame BP. Or Transocean. Or Halliburton.
Don't blame their executives.
Blame me. I'm responsible. I'm a U.S. citizen, and I didn't demand of my elected officials that they forbid offshore drilling until it can be made safer.
Cynthia Carle
Los Angeles
The politics of 9/11 trials
Re "The 9/11 civilian trial, and 12 unlucky jurors," May 10
David Rivkin and Vincent Vitkowsky state, "It was difficult not to conclude that, given Moussaoui's involvement in the worst terrorist attack on American soil, the failure to secure the death penalty was both a setback for the prosecution and a source of grief for many of the victims' families."
As a 9/11 family member who testified for the defense and for a sentence of life in prison for Zacarias Moussaoui, I would like to correct some of their conclusions.
The prosecution was unable to prove convincingly that Moussaoui was directly involved in the attacks of 9/11; that was the setback for the prosecution.
There were families who wanted retribution, and they were undoubtedly disappointed by the verdict. I would venture to say, however, that grief for 9/11 family members revolves mainly around the loss of our beloved family members. Only those who have suffered such a public loss, which remains relevant every day, can possibly speculate about our grief.
Those who would cite that grief to make a political point are shameful.
Adele Welty
Flushing, N.Y.
The writer is the mother of firefighter Timothy Welty, who died during rescue operations on Sept. 11.
Nazi talk
Re "Jewish group denounces rhetoric," May 14
Rabbi Abraham Cooper's statement is misguided.
