Re "Steward of Palestinian city's boom," Q&A, Dec. 26
Ramallah Mayor Janet Mikhail asserts that East Jerusalem may one day become a Palestinian state's capital. Get real.
In 1868, the U.S. signed a treaty with the Sioux nation giving it exclusive domain over the Black Hills, which was and is as holy to the Sioux as Mecca is to Muslims. Eight years later we invaded the Black Hills, which no longer belong to the Sioux.
We will return the Black Hills to the Sioux before Israel gives up any part of East Jerusalem. Mikhail and every Palestinian leader knows this, yet they tell their people otherwise.
Until the Palestinian leadership honestly confronts this reality — that Israel will never allow those who fled or the multitude that is their progeny to return to Israel — there can be no peace.
Marvin J. Wolf
Mar Vista Heights
Tribal plans
Re "Yurok seek land for a tribal park on the North Coast," Dec. 26
Several other tribes have engaged the federal government in co-management of former tribal areas that lie within the bounds of national parks, national forests or lands held by the Bureau of Land Management.
To name only a couple: the Hopi and the Kaibab National Forest, and the Timbisha and Death Valley National Park. Neither is a full-blown transfer of lands and total tribal management, yet their efforts reflect the executive order signed by President Clinton that federal land agencies are to enter into various agreements with adjacent tribes that lay claim to such lands.
I am not alone as a strong advocate for more tribal involvement, including the transfer of such acreage. States may or may not want to join in; they are not obliged by the executive order, only by their conscience.
Imre Sutton
Fullerton
The writer is a professor emeritus of geography at Cal State Fullerton and co-editor of "Trusteeship in Change: Toward Tribal Autonomy in Resource Management."
Letter perfect
Re "Care homes to post ratings," Dec. 27
The new letter grades rating nursing homes are desperately needed to guide people seeking care in such institutions.
Over a few decades I've learned how dangerous and even deadly a bad nursing home can be. My experience with nursing homes began with the neglect and abuse my mother suffered in such institutions.
Later I wrote a book on how to find the best long-term care, and an article that was the basis for the ABC television movie, "When You Remember Me," about abuse and neglect in a nursing home. I've witnessed good care as well as neglect during my 23 years of bringing entertainers to perform free at nursing homes.
The new rating system will enable people to avoid the worst nursing homes and provide an incentive for the bad homes to improve their care.
Rena Dictor LeBlanc
Sherman Oaks
She had soul
Re " 'Lovergirl' singer, R&B artist," Obituary, Dec. 27
Teena Marie was a dynamic vocalist who definitely proved that great R&B music has no color barrier.
Being a young adult of the 1980s myself, I remember how her music rocked good old-fashioned house parties.
Slow dancing, finger-poppin' and downright body-jerking soul music will forever be the fortress of her energetic musical style.
Wayne E. Williams
Camden, N.J.
