The bailouts

· Let's see now. For at least a year the government -- read taxpayers -- will commit to covering 90 percent of insurance industry claims from future terrorist attacks, P-E, November 30. They will be "required" to reimburse the government, but there's no mention of interest rates or repayment schedules.

Also, the government -- read taxpayers -- is paying $15 billion to help the airlines -- the industry, not its laid-off employees -- forestall bankruptcies. Again, nothing about repayment.

We need someone with experience to oversee all these handouts. Anyone know what Charles -- Lincoln Savings and Loan -- Keating is doing these days?

IRVING B. KASOW

Lake Elsinore

· When the airlines were in a steep downturn partly from the recession, and 9-11, George W. Bush filled the bedpan with $15 billion to bail them out.

Now that Amtrak is struggling, they're being told to prepare a liquidation plan in 60 days! Where's George W.?

Amtrak, Greyhound and commercial airlines should be treated equally and fairly when it comes to financial aid. We need them especially with the decline in airline services.

I use the Pacific Surfliner twice a month from Anaheim to San Diego or Santa Barbara and it's great. New trains are clean, on time, and good drinks and snacks.

ROBERT F. HUDSON

Perris

Old partisan squabbles

· Lest we forget, the war being waged in Afghanistan and around the world against terrorism is the most serious challenge this country has ever faced. Its results will determine whether or not our system of government, or anything like it, will survive. This critical task requires the unwaivering support of each citizen and the undivided energy and attention of our nation's leaders.

There are signs that congressional Democrats are reviving old partisan squabbles common in the pre-September 11 era. Our message to them should be loud and clear: "Don't go there." Shattering the unity forged by Republicans, Democrats and others, who place country above party, would be a direct body blow to our nation's anti-terrorist efforts. Those who put their lives on the line defending our freedoms deserve, at the very least, the most solid, stable homeland base of support we can give them. Paint the partisans "political hucksters" and pray for the men and woman patriots manning the front lines of the battle.

JOSEPH COSTA

Murrieta

Aiding the enemy

· Does it make sense to you that we are importing oil from countries filled with radical elements that hate America when we have huge supplies of oil sitting unused in our own backyard?

As you know, in his last months as president, Bill Clinton illegally closed millions of acres of public lands. These lands are rich in natural resources such as oil, gas, coal and other materials -- natural resources that we now desperately need.

Because of Clinton's illegal acts, we are forced to import billions of barrels of oil from hostile countries like Qatar, Iran, Libya and even Iraq. These countries have a stronghold on America. . . .

CHARLES COOPER

Blythe

Just another medical expense

· Why all the anguish over paying donors' families for organ transplants? It's certainly not unheard of to profit from an untimely death. Physicians and hospitals routinely make enough from one transplant to support a modest family for a year, why shouldn't the donors benefit as well? If paying a modest sum to donors would increase the availability of donated organs, then let it be so.

Of course, there need to be measures to prevent the premature demise of potential donors for profit. I think that is an issue that can be resolved fairly easily.

CHET HARTLEY

Sun City