Nuclear safety in California; anti-tax talk radio hosts John and Ken; and pop stars and dictators

California dreaming

Re “California reactors less vulnerable,” March 15

Ignoring the recent spate of news coverage on earthquakes, I am not satisfied with the conclusions of this article.

The U.S. Geological Survey states that the San Francisco earthquake in 1906 was between 7.7 and 8.3 in magnitude. That, along with the 1857 Fort Tejon earthquake, appears to have been the biggest earthquakes ever recorded in California.

Estimates of the size or scope of “the big one” vary. Considering our lack of knowledge, it seems foolish that anyone would reassure us that the two nuclear plants in California are sufficiently designed to withstand a major contamination situation.

Don Evans

Canoga Park

As we seek to reassure ourselves that the events in Japan could never happen in the same way here, we need to also remind ourselves that the crisis at Fukushima occurred because of a loss of power, which can occur for any number of reasons, not just tsunamis and earthquakes.

Pamela Nagler

Claremont

Insurance and impounding

Re “LAPD modifies policy on impounding cars,” March 12

Every unlicensed driver, illegal immigrant or not, is also driving an uninsured car that potentially endangers others and costs licensed insured drivers millions in increased insurance costs. Every vehicle insurance policy states that if at the time of a collision the driver of a vehicle is unlicensed, the insurance will not cover the damage.

So impounding an unlicensed driver’s car has nothing to do with immigration status and everything to do with costing the general public a huge amount of money in increased insurance rates and removing an uninsurable car from the streets.

The Los Angeles Police Department’s revised policy is purely political and not based on sound judgment.

Alan V. Weinberg

Woodland Hills

An illegal immigrant has neither a driver’s license nor insurance. He never passed a state driving test, and if he has an accident and causes damage or injury, he’s not financially responsible.

But please, don’t impound his car, that wouldn’t be fair.

James Stewart

Santa Monica

Anti-tax rants on the radio

Re “Anti-tax activists flex insider clout,” March 13

I find it truly frightening that two radio talk show hosts, John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou, can so powerfully affect California politics. Neither of these individuals were elected by the people, yet they seemingly have more influence than the voters or any other group.

What’s truly disturbing is that these two have created a “shtick” to increase their ratings whereby they pillory GOP members who don’t hew to the extreme anti-tax gospel of John and Ken. Their actions could negatively affect every California resident.

John and Ken don’t have to worry about being voted out of office if their rants contribute to statewide disaster. How will they be held accountable when these consequences become apparent?

Matthew Singerman

Newbury Park

How much does California’s anti-tax policy cost? We can measure the cost of our cuts to disaster preparedness efforts. In every disaster, it can be said that some die from the event while others die because of lack of preparedness.

We can measure these variables after California’s next big quake and tsunami. Japan is arguably the most prepared country in the world for such things. Casualties there were caused by the disaster itself, not a lack of preparedness.

When the big one hits California, it is unlikely that we will be as prepared as the Japanese were. I am certain that John and Ken will whine the loudest about what should have been done.

Peter Laurence

La Mesa

The truth can be hard

Re “Quest for the truth,” Column One, March 10

Lynn Johnston was wise to tell his daughter about the extreme tragedy he experienced as a child. My father’s bother was killed in a similar accident when they were both children. Unfortunately, relatives persuaded him never to talk about the accident or his deceased brother.

By the time my sister and I unearthed the truth, my father had passed away. If we had known about the tragedy earlier, it would have helped us to empathize and cope with the deep pain, frequent depression and withdrawal that both our father and our grandmother exhibited.

It is my hope that parents of all ages read this article and are inspired to share their significant life events with their children while they still have the chance.

Denise Sheehy

Los Angeles

Fifty-two years ago this man’s twin brother was killed as a result of an action that he precipitated. He wants to hold the driver of the vehicle — now 83 years old, a woman who has lived all these years with the burden of having killed an 8-year-old child — accountable.

In an ideal world, she might have anticipated that this boy might unexpectedly step into her lane and she should be especially alert. But we live in a real world. It is time for Johnston to forgive and move on.

Donald L. Hager

Los Angeles

Some bad gigs

Re “Public consequences of pop stars’ private gigs,” March 11

Sting insists that his Uzbekistan concert acted as a cultural exchange that benefitted the country. It’s not as if Sting plays politically rebellious music. I don’t see how a concert of slow-tempo music contributed anything to Uzbekistan except giving its government further legitimacy and robbing the people of

2 million British pounds that he pocketed for his services.

And no less for Mariah Carey, Beyonce, 50 Cent and Nelly Furtado. Though they at least apologized about their Kadafi family concerts, they still don’t understand that this money belongs to the Libyan people and shouldn’t be redirected to the charities of their choice.

Ramzi Shakra

Los Angeles

For veterans

Re “A Pentagon Achilles’ heel,” Opinion, March 11

Lawrence Korb does not acknowledge the efforts of veterans to secure the promise of healthcare for life that were made to them when they signed up. If Tricare for Life is overused, it is because too many promises were made and too many wars were waged.

After World War II, lifetime healthcare was an incentive to encourage those who participated in wars to stay on in the reserves so the government could capitalize (at little cost) on their knowledge, training and experience. In return, the veteran could attain the golden ring of “healthcare for life.”

Maybe it is time to stop those promises and stop the wars, but it is not time to breach the promises made many years ago.

Jean Arnwine

Altadena

Don’t help Cuba

Re “Oil and gulf water,” Opinion, March 14

Sarah Stephens tries to make the case that lifting the U.S. embargo on Cuba would be good for the environment. Until and unless Cuba’s government changes and stops oppressing its people, I see no reason to do so.

Cuba’s government has been trying for years to find oil, with no success. If the Cubans do find it, I hope we have the backbone to not buy any of it until Cuba’s prisons are empty of peaceful dissidents, political parties and a free press are allowed, and free elections are held.

In the meantime, may they spend a lot of money and come up empty.

Valia Bello

Burbank