Creates

To bestow titles such as African-American, Latino, Arab-American and others creates a separateness. Americans are Americans--period. Am I an English-American because my ancestors came from England? Is my husband a Portuguese-American because his ancestors came from Portugal? No, we are Americans. Is there money to be made here by creating and labeling special categories of Americans? Does this make us more unified as a people (nation) or create and foster separateness? BARRIE COOKE FOLSOM Long Beach

NOW, whoa! Hold it, Angela Sousa! [Letters, May 7] Calling Robert Wilson a fraud is not only insulting a serious artist, but it is uninformed. Groundbreaking artists take risks, don't they? They're called names because many people don't like change. What may be difficult for some viewers is the lack of dramatic conflict in his scripts because the plays are mostly visual, what the French call "living pictures." Wilson creates his own rhythm, often a slow-paced one, as his unconscious creates vivid and poignant images.

Regarding the Aug. 31 article "Checks Roll In as Laws Flow Out" and the inflow of money into the political system, Assemblyman Joe Nation (D-San Rafael) stated, "It creates a perception of impropriety." Wrong. It sustains a reality of corruption. GERALD A. REDONDO Canoga Park We have again reached our annual frenzy of the Legislature passing questionable laws while collecting large contributions from those who benefit. This is the same body of lawmakers who did not have the will to pass the Clean Money Act. These people are the best reason to pass Proposition 89 (to create a system for public financing of political campaigns)

It was with great interest that I read the article "Virtually Home" (Sept. 23). But the article perpetuates a common misunderstanding of how buildings should be designed and does a disservice to your readers in the process. The article states, "Builders aiming to save money and provide the customer with more than cookie-cutter tract housing are turning to software that creates virtual model homes. . . . By choosing options offered by contractors, users can customize a floor plan to meet their needs."

Whenever government dispenses business franchises--like Boss Tweed's streetcar contracts or Los Angeles' 1920s sweetheart water deals--there is always the opportunity to distribute pelf. The crowd of ex-congressmen and former White House officials descending on Washington the past few weeks in pursuit of the showers of diamonds spraying out from the telecommunications bill illustrates the point. Their clients are not paying them bushels of money to protect the public interest. America has never been friendly to regulation.

When designers Karen and Guy Vidal went to revive a concrete area along the back of an East Hollywood apartment building that they owned, the couple turned to an inexpensive DIY trick: stenciling a “carpet” directly onto the patio. “We wanted to do something fun,” Karen Vidal said. “We worked with the idea that a carpet creates intimacy. We weren't sure how it was going to play out, so we didn't want to spend a lot of money.” The goal was an inviting communal outdoor room for a 1920s Spanish building that otherwise had little alfresco space for tenants.

Jaclyn Shanfeld moves from garment to garment with the unbridled joy of a little girl rummaging in her mother's closet. From the "wall of Chanel" Shanfeld retrieves a light pink and lavender jacket that once fetched $3,200 but was priced for resale at $750. She shows off the unmarked soles of a pair Nicholas Kirkwood boots, originally purchased for $1,500 that are now offered for $700. She unveils a sheer black, sleeveless Alaia gown bought for a special occasion - but never worn.