To the editor: I write this with out pause.
I dwell in Pasadena, not removed from the Eaton hearth. My mind is at present processing the horrific events in Los Angeles County and the way these catastrophic occasions are merely what occurs on the planet on a regular basis. Each time I hear somebody interviewed on TV say, “You by no means assume it’s going to occur to you,” I sit amazed how individuals nonetheless don’t perceive how every thing and something is feasible on this planet.
Nobody is immune. Ever.
However in the midst of their lives, individuals develop into myopic, blind to the pure world round them. They appear to focus extra on their private “journeys” and far much less on the bigger, extra precious traits of empathy, neighborhood and collective understanding.
So, it appears, tragedies serve an ironic goal, utilizing human ache and struggling to function a real “epiphany” to reevaluate our lives and reset our priorities.
Our fellow denizens would possibly want meals, shelter or somebody to listen to them. Sure, it’d intervene with our plans for tomorrow, however because the poet John Donne wrote: “Any man’s dying diminishes me, / As a result of I’m concerned in mankind. / And subsequently by no means ship to know for whom the bell tolls; / It tolls for thee.”
I might solely rephrase it to say that every man’s struggling diminishes me, for I’m concerned in mankind.
Forgive me, Los Angeles. I simply volunteered to cook dinner for the firefighters. Hopefully, it doesn’t cease right here. Love you, L.A.
Scott Dovale, Pasadena
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To the editor: To those that misplaced their properties, I say you’ll get well, and other people will marvel at your power and resilience and really feel that they might by no means have carried out what you’ll have to do.
These phrases I as soon as learn will describe you as none others will: Behind each robust particular person, there’s a story that gave them no alternative.
Jill Chapin, Santa Monica
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To the editor: Greatness in individuals comes out through the worst of instances. Tales of fantastic deeds of outright braveness by the primary responders, the hearth division, the police and neighbors within the hearth zones are being reported.
Congratulations to the L.A. Instances for excellent protection of this horrible tragedy. Simply the images alone inform the story with out having to learn the excellently written articles. However I learn them, and I imagine excellent journalism has come again to this newspaper.
Thanks.
Michael Moore, Chino Hills
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To the editor: I feel it’s necessary that we prolong an enormous thank-you not solely to the firefighters and police who’re serving to us by this nightmare, but additionally to the reporters and native tv information networks.
The 24-hour protection has been exceptional and has most likely saved lives. How fortunate we’re to have such diligent, on-the-spot reporters and digicam crews who journey from hearth to fireside in such a heroic means.
And let’s bear in mind our information anchors as properly — they’ve been superb.
Linda Cooper, Studio Metropolis
