Maxine’s Politics Sully the Waters

Re “Alleged Slur Brings Call for Caruso to Resign,” March 27: OK, let’s call it for what it is. U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) has decided that if she can get rid of Los Angeles Police Commission President Rick Caruso she can keep the chief of police and have more control of the board. Now, if she were a “politician” herself, she would have discussed this fiasco in private chambers with Caruso rather than taking it to the streets to tarnish his career and reputation, and she probably would have gained a more positive reputation herself. He must have looked like an easy target for her to attack.

If this had happened to two kids at school we would call them into the principal’s office and talk this over. After all, we all agree that name-calling (even if it was via a third party who overheard it and wished to remain anonymous) is not nice. But this is about power and politics, not what is best for the city.

Get a life. We have a city to run here. We need leadership. There must be a better way to assert one’s interests and serve the public than this childishly disturbing acting-out behavior on display in Los Angeles. We deserve better than this from Rep. Waters. If this is how she handles her interpersonal issues, we are all in trouble.

Betty Seidmon

Los Angeles

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In most places of business, absolutely no credence is given to anonymous letters. None. In this thinly veiled political tussle, what about Caruso’s 1st Amendment rights? His comments about Walters were made in private.

I find it hard to believe that in her long and colorful career, Walters has never been described with the “B-word” before, and my guess is that she might be described with the “B-word” again. Sticks and stones, Maxine; sticks and stones.

Vickie Hamilton

Huntington Beach

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Assuming that the reports of Caruso allegedly calling Rep. Waters the “B-word” are true, I fail to see what the uproar is all about. For years many people have been subjected to Waters’ vituperous tongue. If true, the only crime Caruso has committed was telling the truth.

Armand Vaquer

Tarzana

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Chief Bernard Parks inherited a very dysfunctional Police Department. He did not create the problems. Throughout his tenure he has been working diligently to resolve the department’s woes. But clearly there are factions in Los Angeles that refuse to judge him fairly regardless as to what he does. Certain people do not want an African American police chief and that’s the bottom line.

Sandra Grady

Inglewood