Addressing the Real Problem

If Glendale decides to replace the welcome monument sign at Foothill and Pennsylvania perhaps it should include flashing warning lights or just be painted on crash attenuators. Those of us who worked with the City originally asked for landscaped medians, which would have been more visible, but that could not be arranged. I’m thankful that while they lasted the signs stopped at least four vehicles from crossing into oncoming traffic. That may have saved lives.

Some, particularly those who were opposed to the signs, blame them for the collisions but distracted and/or speeding drivers crash with regularity into fire hydrants, retaining walls and other stationary objects. The problem isn’t the signs; it’s suicidal/homicidal driving habits. The drivers who hit the signs are liable for damages, not the City. Anybody can sue; they don’t necessarily prevail.

Let’s put our energy into getting people to drive legally and carefully.

Sharon Weisman

La Crescenta

Freedom of the Press: Bipartisan, Really?

Rep. Adam Schiff wrote about Freedom of the Press (CV Weekly, May 23) and wants bipartisanship. It’s an ideal situation. I totally agree.

However, the current scenario is far from it and Mr. Schiff knows that.

The mainstream media (MSM) is anything but bipartisan. It often twists, ignores the mood of the people and creates fake news. The media is biased, has set priorities, and a one-track mind: to blast the President, oppose his every move and ignore all the good work he did.

That’s not bipartisanship, Mr. Schiff!

As a journalist with decades in the profession, I know what is free press. The media cares less about facts and security of the country (unchecked refugee influx). It wrote Trump would lose, but he won. The local biggie went all-out to support McDonnell as sheriff, but he lost to Villanueva. The correct assessment reporting of truth and bipartisanship missing!   

About Jamal Khashoggi and his mysterious death: That should never happen to anyone for his views and writing. That said, what was Jamal doing? He was using American soil and newspaper to blast his own country …and was paid for it. Why would Congress defend him and blast an important U.S. ally, Saudi Arabia? Jamal was not bipartisan. He was giving his opinion, his twist.

Take India’s elections, the world’s largest democratic exercise with 900 million registered voters. Prime Minister Modi’s party (BJP) won in a landslide on May 23. The media, including TIME magazine, projected falsehood and blasted the leader as “divider-in-chief.” When he won a great election, the news was missing from the front pages of many top  dailies. Los Angeles Times completely blacked out the news. Not a single word the next day. Is it non- partisan, un-biased reporting?

No wonder the media lost its credibility and ceased to be a reporter of truth. In other words, the press is behaving as the enemy of the people.

Freedom of the Press and bipartisanship are good ideals. Let everyone follow them, especially the media. The press has to prove that it is free and only then it would get respect.   

Yatindra Bhatnagar

Tujunga