Common Sense

A theory much in vogue holds that a broken window that stays unrepaired signals apathy. The house is vandalized, spray-painted with graffiti, taken over by the homeless or by gangs. A variation on that theory posits that when a youngster is allowed to commit minor infractions and get away unpunished, the floodgates can open. There's a progression from burglary to assault, from teenagers' drinking alcohol to their using drugs like marijuana or cocaine.

"Justices Uphold IRS Refusal to Waive Deadline for Refunds" (Feb. 19) is a ruling that shows the silliness that has overcome our entire judicial system. How many judge hours were wasted on a no-brainer common-sense issue? Does this country need a constitutional amendment that dictates a common-sense ruling must apply to everyone and everything? Send the $4,000 back immediately--end of story. M.D. JORDAN Chatsworth

Since when is teaching our children self-control, responsibility and abstinence a radical religious-right agenda? I thought this was merely common sense. Since when in a democracy are public officials responsible to uphold the viewpoints of the minority who did not elect them into office or otherwise face a recall? In the America I know, Ventura County Board of Education President Wendy Larner and trustees Angela Miller and Marty Bates are to represent the will of the majority who elected them into office.

Re "The Death of Common Sense?" (Nov. 8): In my position as college counselor and career advisor at Eagle Rock High School in the Los Angeles Unified School District, I too often am witness to the death of common sense described in your article. More often than not, children are thrown into situations much worse than need be when they are found with an item against which we have instituted a "zero-tolerance" policy. Deans and administration would do well to ask themselves whether it is fathomable that their own sons or daughters might well have, at one time, been guilty of this type of offense and whether any purpose will truly be served by going through with expulsion proceedings.

Sometimes the world is too much with us. We read the news in disbelief. We shake our heads and mutter: "How could they? Why would they? It makes no sense at all!" The sturdier among us turn the page and get on with our lives. As for the others, there are ways to ease the pain: the oblivion of booze, the twilight world of drugs, the caloric hell of guacamole, the constant carping of talk radio. But it doesn't have to be so.

As one who holds few superstitions, I too considered feng shui as hocus-pocus. Until I realized that feng shui is often simply common sense about enhancing one's quality of life. As an allergist-immunologist, I am particularly intrigued by the recommendation of a southerly exposure and steps to improve ventilation. Both of these measures would greatly reduce the quantity of indoor molds that not uncommonly produce toxins detrimental to health and often become allergens for those susceptible.

In "We Have the Inalienable Right to a Quiet Dinner," (Commentary, Jan. 28), Robert Kuttner calls for the government to regulate something that people can regulate on their own: the use of their own telephone. If people are bothered by calls during a meal, or during a shower, or during lovemaking, or while sleeping at night, they can: Turn off the ringer; or let the machine or the voice mail take the call; or buy caller ID and don't answer unknown calls. So many people are slaves to their telephones.

In the last decade California and other states have enacted much progressive legislation reforming rape laws. The new laws generally recognize the realities confronting potential or actual rape victims, acknowledge more fully that rape is a crime of violence rather than an act of sexual passion, and attempt to make courts handle rape cases with the same standards that they use on other criminal offenses.

Re "Ignoring nature, we build our way into fire's path," Critic's Notebook, Oct. 30 I could not agree more that developers ignore common sense and build in canyons and on mountainsides where fire is sure to come. One aspect of the fires not covered well is the terrible toll on wildlife. Possums, skunks, deer, snakes, raccoons, birds and mountain lions perish when these wildfires rage on.

So Seve Ballesteros thinks he deserves an exemption to (play in) the U.S. Open more than Arnold Palmer. Why? Because of Ballesteros' career-long snubbing of the U.S. tour? Because he won the Sardine Open in Sardinia last week? Because of all he has done for golf in America? Seve, I used to think you had some class. I hope you find every bunker and divot at Oakmont in your two rounds there. Then go home and win another Dutch Open. DUANE PLANK Torrance Golfers such as Seve Ballesteros and the rest of professional golf should be on their knees thanking Arnold Palmer for making the tour as lucrative as it is today.