In your Nov. 15 edition we are once again subjected to the self-aggrandizement of our city attorney (“Aguirre seeks more records from KPBS,” Our Region). One way to stop this ridiculous nonsense is to stop giving him the publicity he so obviously needs to feed his ego. Enough already. There are many more important issues on which to focus. What Michael Aguirre deserves is anonymity.

MARY CROFT
San Diego

No sympathy for fallen lawyer

Regarding “A fallen lawyer makes his case against bad execs” (Opinion, Nov. 14):

I am not sure whether the term incredulous or dumbfounded best describes my feelings after reading William S. Lerach's commentary. Here is a guy who paid people to lie about product, companies, etc. He collected millions in fees and he calls it “stepping over the line.” And to top it all off, he feels sorry for himself and mistreated. A friend of mine was one of his victims and in my opinion was entirely innocent. I owned many shares and collected $9. He pocketed millions. In my opinion the justice system he complains about was too easy on him.

WILLIAM R. BROWN
Pauma Valley

Bridge players: Shut up or speak out?

Regarding “Championship bridge players slammed over anti-Bush sign” (A1, Nov. 14):

Write us The San Diego Union-Tribune welcomes letters to the editor. Because of the number of letters received, and to allow as many readers as possible to be published, it is the policy of the newspaper to publish no more than one letter from the same author within 90 days. Letters may be edited. It is also our policy to publish letters supporting or opposing a particular issue in a ratio reflecting the number received on each side. To be considered for publication, a letter must include an address, daytime phone number and, if faxed or mailed, be signed. It may be sent to Letters Editor, The San Diego Union-Tribune, Post Office Box 120191, San Diego, CA 92112-0191, faxed to (619) 260-5081 or e-mailed to letters@uniontrib.com. Letters submitted may be used in print or in digital form in any publication or service authorized by the Union-Tribune Publishing Co.

Championship bridge players need to shut up and play bridge. I am as insulted and embarrassed by their behavior against our country as I was when the Dixie Chicks decided to open their mouths and spout off – they needed to shut up and sing. I do not care about any of their politics. Entertain me is what they are paid to do. I believe the bridge players should be reprimanded. Who cares what other countries think. Whether you support our president or not, be true to your country. Keep the politics out of it – and let the “professionals” deal.

CAROL L. BEARD
San Diego

Who are the corporation sponsors that would withdraw sponsorship because they are against the right of free speech for bridge team members? I would like to boycott those corporations. Is it not possible that some day the best bridge players in the world could come from a country with the most repressive government? And, if they were to raise their voice and protest that government, there would be many people worldwide who would praise them for their courage to stand up for their human rights. Afterward, when that person returned to that country, they could be imprisoned, or worse.

It is an appalling and outrageous action by the USBF. Where does it get the authority to interfere with a person's freedom of speech? Perhaps it inadvertently left the “A” out of its name: United States ABRIDGE Freedom Federation.

DOUG PETERSON
San Diego

Bus, trolley are essential services

I am putting aside my usual sense of urgency about the war in Iraq and our policies abroad to speak up about an urgent matter here at home in San Diego: The bus/trolley fares are going up with a proposal to end our current transfer system, making passengers buy an additional ticket in order to transfer to another bus. We should be supporting public transportation as a sane way to cut down on fossil fuel consumption and provide our community with a decent means of getting around San Diego without driving.

Many of our patients are dependent upon it to get to their appointments, and it is a disgrace that fares can be increased and cuts made to services without a public outcry, without a concern for this shortsighted attack on transportation access. Our city buses and trolleys should not be seen as inconvenient transportation for the poor and low-income folks, but as essential services more enlightened than driving a car. We need more high quality, inexpensive public transportation, not cutbacks and fare increases.

LAUREN LIEFLAND
San Diego

Mission Beach not 'a 24/7 party place'

Mission Beach residents are not elitists who want to make this our private beach. We moved here knowing we'd be sharing it with the public. During my 49-year residency here, we Mission Beach residents have battled with the city over additional police from spring break to Labor Day and over not cutting the lifeguard staff. We've fought for a cruising ban so emergency vehicles would have access. We've fought for an alcohol ban to protect families, visitors, residents and police from being exposed to drunken abuse.

Mission Beach is a community, not a 24/7 party place or solely a vacation rental area. We support the MB Woman's Club (nonprofit philanthropic group), MB Town Council, MB Precise Plan Group and many small businesses. A large volunteer force shows up for cleanups, feeding families in need during the holidays, and feeding our police on summer holidays. One resident devotes weekend mornings to covering graffiti. Others pick up trash daily. We welcome visitors and new residents, but only if they respect the rights of others. Everyone has the right to enjoy MB and should. It's a San Diego treasure. That's what MB residents have been supporting from the beginning.

MARY WILLMONT
San Diego

Interpreting the global warming debate

Regarding “Global warming and San Diego” (Opinion, Nov. 13):

As I read more and more on global warming, I find it interesting that there are thousands of articles that present scientific evidence in support of the thinking that this phenomenon is no big deal. But the proponents of human-caused global warming seem to be the ones that claim the debate is over. Once the “rush to legislate” takes effect (AB 32) and subsequent laws mandating that we take costly action to protect our world from global warming or climate changes based upon weak science, we will then see how serious people really believe in this hypothesis. In the meantime, I think the “environmental lawyers” of the world will certainly cash in on this business opportunity. Hold on to your wallets, folks.

TOM RAPPOLT
Carlsbad

The Union-Tribune, citing a recent poll of Californians by the nonprofit Next Ten (“Global warming concerns seen in poll, EPA lawsuit,” News, Nov. 9), reported that “more than four out of five Californians believe global warming poses a serious threat.” Three in four believe government should take action on this issue.

Action is pending in the House of Representatives. The Safe Climate Act, HR 1590, would gradually reduce greenhouse gas emissions, known to cause global warming, to 80 percent of 1990 levels by 2050. The bill would institute a market-based cap and trade system similar to the one promoted by President George H. W. Bush in the early 1990s. This system succeeded in reducing sulfur dioxide, the chemical that causes acid rain. The Safe Climate Act would also increase the use of renewable fuels and require a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.

Two members of the San Diego congressional delegation, Susan Davis and Bob Filner, are co-sponsors of the Safe Climate Act. But the other three members, Brian Bilbray, Darrell Issa and Duncan Hunter, have yet to sign on as co-sponsors. I urge them to do so. San Diegans would be proud of a congressional delegation that champions government action on climate change. After all, action is what 75 percent of us want.

JEAN SEAGER
Coronado