Laguna Hills

Illegal fireworks were blamed Wednesday for starting two brush fires in Orange County, including one that burned more than 1,000 acres of Chino Hills State Park and was headed toward populated areas near the border with San Bernardino County. The fire, one of several in the Southland since Tuesday, was 30% contained by late evening and posed no immediate threat to structures, fire officials said. The blaze was, however, moving north toward populated areas in Sleepy Hollow and Carbon Canyon.

Re "Carona's Badge Is Slightly Tarnished," column, May 27: The latest revelation that Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona, shortly after being elected, deputized "86 friends, relatives, political contributors and others" is another glaring example of his lack of professionalism, personal judgment and decision-making capabilities in running the Sheriff's Department and of our need to elect a new sheriff in the next election. The fact that Carona directly issued badges (and in some cases weapons)

James Flanigan advocates that entrepreneurs be allowed to have their "debts discharged" and move on to a fresh start ("Bankruptcy Bill Needs Reforming," April 10): That's code for other businessmen and vendors getting stiffed on their legitimate bills. Paul Knopick Laguna Hills Welcome to the new world of personal finances, courtesy of our current federal government. A change in the bankruptcy law that appears to be headed for approval will make it much more difficult for the typical person to declare bankruptcy.

I am not Catholic, nor did I agree with everything that Pope John Paul II stood for. Yet I grieve the passing of this spiritual leader who so genuinely lived in truth, who cared with such passion and compassion for all of humanity. I grieve that this voice of wisdom has been silenced, leaving us alone with leaders who see no hypocrisy in invoking God's name for political gain and nefarious purpose. May John Paul rest in peace, and may peace be visited upon the rest of us. Alitta Kullman Laguna Hills I am a feminist and a Catholic because of the church's teachings on the dignity of women.

Re "Gov. Softens Pension Stance," March 3: The photo of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger driving his supporters in search of signatures for his ballot initiatives illustrates why many consider him "unsafe at any speed." The Humvee has no side doors (unsafe) and no front license plate (illegal), and the governor is not wearing his seat belt (unsafe and illegal.) Oh well, I guess with all his millions, he's not concerned about reduced benefits for his survivors if he crashes. I wonder how his passengers and their families would feel.

That so many people are shocked and surprised by Matt Leinart's decision to stay at USC for another year says more about their characters than it does about Leinart's. Brian Hittelman Playa del Rey You want to know how great USC quarterback Matt Leinart is? I'll tell you how great. He's so great that he hasn't a clue how great he is. Robert Burns Huntington Beach I hope Matt Leinart really enjoys college. As an Ivy League graduate with a professional degree I applaud education, but if I'd had the opportunity to earn millions after my junior year (something I have yet to do in 40 years since graduation)

Re "How CBS' Big Story Fell Apart," Jan. 16: Your story on the CBS memo mess treads lightly on Dan Rather's role. Certainly he should have been fired for malfeasance. And for those letter writers (Jan. 16) who say what President Bush did, launching a preemptive attack against Iraq, is worse, let's remember one fact: The voters had their say on this issue and elected to renew his option. Paul Knopick Laguna Hills The real tragedy in the CBS News/Dan Rather failing is the more pervasive and destructive problem of pseudo-media pervading cable news, talk radio and Internet blogs.

Your editorial "Bush's Buddy Vladimir" (Dec. 22) misses the point. Russian President Vladimir Putin has watched as President Bush used his brother and other Bush family connections to steal an election in Florida in 2000 and again in Ohio (and probably other places) in 2004. He has watched as Bush and the Republicans have packed Congress through gerrymandering and questionable voter practices. He has observed the vice president manipulate our energy policies and award no-bid contracts to his company, Halliburton.