CSU's students

Re “Black students fall behind in CSUs, a fact hidden in data” (July 25):

The people trying to increase the number of minority students (i.e., Black students) in colleges by using race as a factor rather than basic academic achievement do not want the public to know they have been hiding contrary data for years. What a surprise. You are not doing any favors for a Black applicant, or any applicant for that matter, to allow them admission to a college or university when they have not met the academic requirements.

In fact, you are really doing them a disservice. When any applicant does not have the required level of academic achievement, their chances of graduating are reduced.

Using race as a factor for admission may help a minority applicant get into college, but does nothing to help that student achieve the goal of graduating.

San Pedro, Peck Park shooting and safety

Re “2 killed, 5 wounded in shooting at park” (July 25):

This is what you get when voters vote for progressive politicians. This is what happens when voters choose to vote to reduce felonies to misdemeanors, vote for a progressive district attorney and progressive liberal judges.

What has happened in San Pedro is a direct result of how people voted to dismantle the criminal justice system in Los Angeles. These actions impact the public safety of all of us. Basically, voters voted to turn California and Los Angeles County into the wild, wild West. You got what you asked for.

Charles Schulz and the `Peanuts' Franklin factor

Re “On ‘Peanuts’ and the Franklin factor” (July 22):

Kudos to Peter Larsen for his touching expose about cartoonist Robb Armstrong and how he was encouraged by “Peanuts” creator Charles Shultz. I was deeply touched by this article and its commemoration of a great man and the importance of mentoring.

It’s a shame that the newspaper no longer publishes either comic strip (yes, I’ve been a subscriber long enough to remember when it did). I encourage the editor to consider returning both “Peanuts” and “JumpStart” (but not at the expense of any current ones).

Who knows, a new generation of cartoonists may be encouraged by the honesty and inclusion reflected in these strips.