THURSDAY'S LETTERS: A Reader's View on Problems Plaguing 'L. A. Times'

Letters, we get letters, we gets lots and lot of letters. The problem is, the "letters" section at this Web site is pretty much buried up there in the site index (this will probably come as a surprise to most of you reading this). When we launch our new blog in September, publishing a lot of feedback will no longer be any problem. Until then, or until we are able to set up a more prominent letters feature right here on the home page, we will carry a daily entry in this spot, called, variously, "MONDAY's LETTERS," "TUESDAY's LETTERS" and so. We will add letters as they come in, at the top, so check back every few hours, if you wish, for the latest update. Or, blog-like, you can respond to a letter you find here. Here's a start for Thursday, most recent first, with many more to come.

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I read the article by Pincus and Vanderhei about the State Department memo stating that the information about Valerie Wilson was marked "S" for secret. What I would like to know is this: why hasn't Colin Powell been questioned? Who gave him the memo and who did he talk to about it and who ended up with the memo? Why has Powell gotten a pass on this?

Audrey Lundberg
Pequot Lakes, MN

Ed's Note: Newsweek's Michael Isikoff and Eve Conant have reported that Powell did in fact testify in front of the grand jury.

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Several readers wrote in with her views on the circulation problems facing the Los Angeles Times, and advice for the incoming editor, Dean Baquet:

Dear Sirs,

Your description of the greater than 10% annual loss of LA Times readership omits mention of the real reason so many of us have quit it. (I personally claim credit for convincing 10 friends to quit!) Simply put: we have tired of paying for "left-coast" bias and commentary that is falsely represented as "news." The demise of the Times parallels that of CNN. Your readers would be better served to be told that only "fair and balanced" is sellable. Put away the rose-colored glasses and report the real facts.

Respectfully yours,

David Wirtschafter

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Dear Sirs,

I enjoyed reading about the recent changes in the management of the newspaper; however, it is interesting to note that readership continues to decline regardless of the "updating" of the newspaper and changes to its editorial stance. Could this be due to the "dumbing of America" and the alienation of Christian readers?

Christians have been under attack by the mainstream press, being labeled as anything from illiterate and easily led to rabid fundamentalists bordering on terrorists. Is it any wonder that many Christians have decided to forego the daily newspaper delivered to their doorstep? After all, why pay to be insulted! The fact is that what was mainstream thinking a generation ago is now labeled "extremism" and "right-wing".

We recently cancelled our subscription to a major newspaper in preference to a local newspaper. What we sacrificed in volume, we more than made up with substance. If our newspaper turns on us and our value system, we will have no qualms about cancelling our subscription and moving on to something else.

I hope that the new leadership of this newspaper will endeavor to be truly inclusive, and will take a broader view of its readership. All one has to do is ask what kind of world do you want to pass on to your children? Is it MTV, Playboy Channel, reality TV and the morality portrayed within? Since each episode depends on being a little more outrageous than the last, where is this leading to, and is it to a world that you want your grandchildren to inhabit? Perhaps so. But it is not where I want mine, so more and more these days, I hit the "unsubscribe" button. I wonder if that is why newspapers are reeling today with declining subsciptions and readership? If so, then perhaps one reaps what one sows.

I sincerely hope that you will consider the above,

Thank you,

Colleen Evans

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E&P's story on a pregnant waitress who was gunned down after writing a letter to the editor criticizing a prominent local citizen elicited this response:

It is not easy to speak out again powerful people who contribute a lot to society, but also break the law in the process. It is clear the woman took a risk by standing up for her sister and exposing a crime of a powerful person within the town. I see this waitress as a hero. It is so sad she lost her life and that of her child's in the process. The town should consider a proper memorial to commend her courage to speak out. Without the freedom to speak out, we are not a free nation. My prayers go out to her sister and her entire family.

Sheila Matthews
National Vice President
www.ablechild.org