Thank you for printing the letter I sent about the new buildings (“Call for architectural grace period,” page 4, Jan. 17). I have (since) been informed by someone who knows the process and the people involved, that folks on the Planning Commission do indeed leave the room whenever anything they are involved with is being voted on.
I have committed the error of assuming that the gentleman whose letter I was supporting had checked his facts when he asserted that they did not. Since I would not write such a letter without checking the facts on its most crucial point, I made the mistake of assuming that no one else would, even though, having heard some AM talk radio, I should know better.
So, ‘duh’ on me.
I apologize to the entire Planning Commission and anyone else my letter abused and I would still love to see some more attractive public housing buildings. I may have to apply to one someday.
Lily Houston-Helbig Santa Monica
Keeping it safe on the fly
Editor:
Why have a no-fly list at all? It is supposed to safeguard flyers, but ends up restricting the free movement of people who have done nothing wrong. And what terrorist would use their own name these days anyway?
What is next? A no-drive list forbidding people driving trucks like those used in the Oklahoma and 1993 World Trade Center bombings? A no-knife list? To what extent will the police state overtake us?
Many need to fly to keep their jobs — their name on a no-fly list may make them unemployable. Many need to fly to a loved-one’s deathbed. Many people fly on vacation. Flying is a right.
A no-fly list violates the right to movement we all have. It is especially egregious that the list is populated by gossip and innuendo from unreliable informers and torture by secret agencies without the possibility of the passenger confronting his accusers or the secret evidence.
We do need to safeguard flyers, but this can easily and safely be done while respecting human rights better. Change the no-fly list to a special-scrutiny list. Let the listees be carefully examined for possible weapons. Require their luggage to go in the hold. Let the listees be seated furthest from the cabin. Let all the airplane crew know of them.
This will still be hugely embarrassing to the listees, but at least they will be able to fly, to go on vacation, to keep their jobs, to be with someone close facing death.
