Trade program cuts shortsighted

Re "Backbone of the education system" (Letters, Feb. 1):

As a Long Beach resident who moved here in 1949 at the age of 11, I'm also upset at what Long Beach Community College has allowed to happen to its business and technology programs. I studied at LBCC to become an electrician and was also president of the student body for two semesters. During those years, the goal in building up that campus was to provide many different trades for students who wanted to work with their hands upon graduation. For the past few years, we've seen the elite at the college's Liberal Arts Campus push to build its "Taj Mahal" of academic classes held in many new constructed buildings. The Pacific Coast Highway campus deteriorated as class after class devoted to teaching trades was eliminated. The poor working student trying to improve and learn new skills was left out. I fail to see why our educators find benefit in allowing our community to discourage the very trades that they and the rest of the community will need for services in the long run. The community needs a balance in education that will provide for both professional and manual services. Please keep productive trades alive by allowing both types of classes to co-exist in our educational system.

- Richard Gates, Long Beach

Another view of John Kerry

Re "Kerry a great choice" (Letters, Jan. 31):

Secretary of State

John Kerry is a rich, white male with investments in oil and China. Aren't those the traits the Democrats condemned Republicans for? As for being a man of "distinction, integrity and honor," I encourage everyone to read Kerry's book "The New Soldier" - if you can find it. The book is out of print. He has refused to allow it to be republished. Surely, there must be a better choice for secretary of state.

- Thomas Tanner, South Gate

Thievery in the church

Re "The shadow of abuse" (Jan. 27):

The theft of innocence in the name of God is the ultimate crime.

- Mike Schweid, Hermosa Beach

Make mine scrambled

Re "Chicken fight" (Jan. 30):

Did the photo caption appearing with the front-page story actually say you can't beat fresh eggs? That's exactly what I'd be inclined to do to them.

- John R. Lansing, San Pedro

Stirring class envy

Re "The Great Divide" (Jan. 31):

I fail to see what has changed about the immigrant experience since my great-grandparents arrived at Ellis Island at the end of the 19th century, except perhaps that no governmental agencies were waiting at the docks to provide them with assistance. In those pre-income tax, pre-Social Security, pre-minimum-wage years, rich people were even wealthier and poor people were even poorer than they are now. The story displays the writer's ignorance of history and seems to have no purpose beyond a snarky attempt to stir class envy.

- Pauli Carnes, Woodland Hills

What do you think?

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