Letters to the Editor: Education, Food Desserts, and Law School

Determining Friendship
Unfortunately, not all Muslim leaders are true friends of the Muslim people. Nazir Khaja is a true friend of his people and of us (“Manhattan Madness and Muslims,” May 28). As someone who loves the Muslim people, I greatly appreciate what Nazir is doing.

Daniel O’Hearn
Claremont

Harsh Words for ‘Jews for Jesus Founder’ Article
Many Christian Gentiles feel a profound empathy toward Israel and the Jewish people because they are the People of the Book. I count myself as one of them. I have read The Jewish Journal faithfully for many years, cover to cover. I have recommended it to friends. Having said all this, the article on the passing of Moshe Rosen (“Jews for Jesus Founder Dies, Duplicity Survives,” May 28) is the worst that I have even seen in The Journal. The distortion and vitriolic view cried out for the guiding hand of an editor.

David G. Williams
Los Angeles

Room for Varied Viewson Bookshelf

I strongly disagree with Laraine Newman’s comments (“Give Parenting Book’s Author a Time-Out,” May 28). There is room for both Wendy Mogel and Betsy Brown Braun on any parent’s bookshelf. I work with parents of young children and I recommend Braun’s books to all the parents. She offers common sense, easy to understand advice to parents. Her goal is to help empower parents to raise “I can do it” children. 

Deborah Myman
via e-mail

I am the parent of two children, ages 4 and 8. The reviewer (Laraine Newman) is the parent of a 15- and 18-year-old, as mentioned in her bio (“Give Parenting Book’s Author a Time-Out,” May 28). Perhaps she missed the subtitle that read “Brat-proofing Your 4- to 12-Year-Old.” All I can say is that I disagree with her review of the book “You’re Not the Boss of Me” by Betsy Brown Braun. Not sure if she read the entire thing but it is a very different book than Wendy Mogel’s “The Blessings of a Skinned Knee.” I am a follower of both authors and have even met with them separately as a private client. I think they are both extremely insightful, loving, experienced and intelligent women with a great take on parenting. These two books, are not in the same category [but] are two of my favorites, and I would recommend they both be on every parent’s bedside table.

Meredith Alexander
via e-mail

Who Is Getting Laid Off Among Law School Grads?

I agree with Idan Ivri’s findings that graduates of non-top law schools are less likely to be laid off than alums from more “prestigious” institutions (“Economic Downturn Is Giving Law School Students the Summertime Blues,” May 28). This has certainly been my experience with students at Whittier Law School, particularly in the environmental area. Further, the job market has not contracted as much for our graduates either. In recent years, including the present, they have been hired by some of the most selective law firms in the state. Perhaps senior partners are finding that degrees from the so-called top schools are overvalued. Hard work and thinking outside the box are far more important to the successful practice of law than the accidents of wealthy birth and high LSAT scores that land many students in fancy schools that teach them very little.

Peter L. Reich
Professor of Law and Director, Whittier Mexico City Program
Whittier Law School
Costa Mesa

In Search of Top-quality Food

I am delighted to see an important article about food quality in poor and marginalized areas in Los Angeles (“Food Deserts Exposed,” May 21). I [agree] 100 percent that the best-quality food should not be [available only] to an exclusive few. I live in Lincoln Heights and it’s very inconvenient for me to have access to good-quality food that is grown with integrity and respect. I know the aftermath of purchasing and consuming food that is not worthy for optimum health, but sometimes I have to swallow my convictions and give in. However, today I have taken a different route for the following reasons: I suffer from hypoglycemia and at times have ADD-like symptoms. I urge your publication to push and advocate good-quality food in areas in Los Angeles that have no conception of what food is. My health has changed for the best, and my outlook of life reflects the simple choice to eat like any other human being.

Marco Antonio Iglesias
Los Angeles