Laguna Hills

Re "Obama sets his own terms for the race," June 20 Barack Obama pledged to run a publicly financed campaign. Now he has gone back on his pledge. Yet The Times headline reads, "Obama sets his own terms." I can't wait for students caught cheating on a test or job applicants lying on a form to invoke The Times' euphemism as their defense. Given the mainstream media's idolatry of Obama, it's hardly surprising. Randy Peterson Laguna Hills Obama is being rebuked for opting out of public financing and finding support among small contributors on the Internet.

Two young men were in custody Friday in connection with a fatal shooting in front of a Lake Forest home, authorities said. Deputies with the Orange County Sheriff's Department found the victim, Luis Alejandro Rivera, 22, on a sidewalk in the 24000 block of Ankerton Drive shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday. He died at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills. A dark sedan was seen fleeing the scene, Sheriff's Department spokesman Jim Amormino said. About 5:30 a.m. Friday, deputies arrested Edgar Cavillo, 19, of Santa Ana on suspicion of being the triggerman.

"I have no problem with the Hills," 18-year-old Staci assures on this week's premiere of BET's reality series "Baldwin Hills." "They have a problem with me." Like many outsiders -- Staci is the lone female cast member who doesn't live in the titular neighborhood -- she is a bit defensive and too proud to really admit it, instead passing judgment on the show's better-heeled girls by feigning disinterest. "Let them do what they do," she says. "Be bougie."

Grant Hill is leaving the Orlando Magic after seven injury-plagued years to join the Phoenix Suns, his agent said. The 34-year-old forward agreed to a two-year deal worth about $1.8 million for the first year, with a second-year player option for about $2 million, agent Lon Babby said. PRO BASKETBALL Clippers sign top draft pick Thornton First-round draft pick Al Thornton signed a two-year, $3.

In the world of California mountaineering, Patricia Rambert was closing in on the Holy Grail. The 57-year-old Laguna Hills woman had just 39 peaks to "bag" before making a clean sweep of the 247 summits that climbing enthusiasts consider the most notable in the Sierra Nevada. And as she was with most things in life, Rambert was so passionate about reaching her goal that she recently planned four back-to-back outings.

Anne Lamott's "dance" with words is truly in a "class" by itself ("Dance Class," Feb. 5). Waltzing through one delightful sentence after another, never quite letting on which way a phrase will turn or when she will unselfconsciously step on her own prose, Lamott's writing is as exhilarating as it is engaging. Thank you for sharing her latest work. Anne Lamott is truly a national treasure. Alitta Kullman Laguna Hills Lamott makes me laugh uproariously, sob uncontrollably and always reminds me of the lessons this messy thing called life has to teach us when we pay attention.

Dawn Bonker is missing the point of coupon books ("The Ticking Timebook," Essay, Jan. 15). I have sold these books for Orange County nonprofits for the past 12 years. They are an integral part of the budget for many charities. Sadly, many organizations here have to cut projects because of little or no funding. Orange County is seen as a wealthy area, but many families cannot support themselves because of rising housing expenses. Social service agencies are bursting at the seams. If the coupons are an embarrassment to Bonker and her family, I suggest that she donate the coupon book to a local women's shelter.

The fierce debate between Bill Cosby and author Michael Eric Dyson over the reasons for black poverty will generate more light than heat ("These People," by Erin Aubry Kaplan, July 24). By virtue of their marquee personalities, the two have made the issue worthy of center stage. This has forced Americans of all colors to question their own deeply rooted beliefs. In the final analysis, that process may prove to be the most effective way of introducing sorely needed reason into what has been too often an emotional subject.

Your magazine is titled the "Los Angeles Times Magazine." I therefore assume its focus is L.A. Instead, in the July 10 issue, I got to read about what a native New Yorker, Ben Stiller, feels about our city ("The Latest Picture Show," by Mark Ehrman, Metropolis). News flash: No one in L.A. cares what Ben Stiller thinks about our city. Then I got to read about the poor Red Sox team doctor who got fired after Boston won the World Series. News flash: No one in Los Angeles, or outside Boston for that matter, cares about the Boston Red Sox or their team doctor.