MAILBAG:

Ever since 9/11, the GOP mantra is “Blame it on the Clintons.” Tom Williams did it again in Tuesday’s Forum (“Columnist laid blame with the wrong party”), blaming Wall Street’s meltdown on Clinton efforts to end housing discrimination.

No matter that the party of deregulation controlled Congress for about 80% of the past 16 years (longer if filibustering is counted). Then there’s Williams’ implicit assumption that lots of lower-income minority families were out there signing up for jumbo sub-prime loans or qualifying for multiple real estate purchases to flip for a quick buck. As for who’s at the trough, a recent Los Angeles Times reports that McCain campaign manager Rick Davis and his lobbying firm collected $15,000 to $30,000 a month from Freddie Mac from 2000 until last month.

Remind me, which party won the election that year, the right one or the wrong one?

BOB SCHMIDT

Newport Beach

Editorial on ICE is unclear, lacks logic

Another editorial (“Council should cool ICE concerns,” Sept. 21) that has a split personality is misleading and seems to promote unlawful conduct.

Police Chief Hensley was worried his community policing efforts, code for Special Order 40, would be dismantled. Could the chief not see the failure of his tried and failed theory? Was the chief not concerned by the deaths of his brother officers, if not citizens, by illegal aliens?

The ICE program has been a success, deporting 210 criminals to their countries.

“Perhaps it [the City Council] should listen to those who are experts.” If the City Council had listened to experts like Hensley, we would still be graced with the presence of 210 criminal illegal aliens. This editorial logic just does not make common sense. And, gives question to the basic purpose of the editorial.

AUGUST LIGHTFOOT

Newport Beach

In tough fiscal times, where’s Chris Cox?

Where has Chris Cox been during the recent economic crisis?

Most likely hiding and doing nothing just like when he represented our community.

Michael Glueck

Newport Beach