Lakers’ Win

* The Lakers win! And that’s great!

But how has our society become so undisciplined that any event, good or bad, can cause the worst--or even the “not so bad”--people to participate in Monday night’s “Lord of the Flies” behavior? Some people look for any excuse to exorcise their demons, and everyone else, look out!

JOSHUA BERMAN

Los Angeles

*

All those arms wrapped around Shaq--now, that’s what you call tree huggers!

PATTI GARRITY

Manhattan Beach

*

Champs vs. chumps: Lakers win--Los Angeles loses.

HAL BRAUN

Hollywood

*

I grew up in Nebraska, home of the Cornhuskers. As I hung up the phone with my parents, Husker fans to the core, I felt the burning sensation of embarrassment. Embarrassment for fans who do not know how to show respect to the players, like Kobe and Shaq. Embarrassment for fans who can’t seem to discern what healthy and respectful celebration is. Jubilation is not an excuse for setting cars on fire, making bonfires, avoiding and attacking police officers or jumping on Shaq’s car as he leaves the stadium.

Never mind the public service announcement in which the L.A. Lakers asked the public to celebrate responsibly; never mind that the world had its eye, in the form of a camera, on L.A.; never mind that a grotesque mob decided to steal the thunder and hard work of a team that deserves our adulation and congratulations for a season of exemplary playing and teamwork. What needs to be “minded” is the lack of respect those “fans” have for those who do have it, who know what it means to embrace a team and have the self-worth to behave as adults.

STEPHEN McKINNIS

Woodland Hills

*

Congratulations to those of you who participated in torching the police cars and other vehicles after the Lakers won the NBA title. You just showed people all around the U.S. and the world what a classy place L.A. really is.

KAREN HUSMAN

Pasadena

*

If having the NBA championship come to L.A. entails the destruction and mayhem that follows it, let Indiana take the trophy home. Lessons to be learned:

1. Do not show the game on the Jumbo-Tron screen outside Staples Center, and break up any crowds forming.

2. Throughout the game, enforce public intoxication and consumption laws, make arrests and eliminate prospective troublemakers.

3. Quit attacking the Los Angeles Police Department. Had it not been so gun-shy due to a hostile press, it would have aggressively engaged crowds. The “terror” of the LAPD would have saved a lot of property and innocent people from truly being terrorized by the real criminals.

DARRON LEE

San Diego

*

Once again the LAPD is nowhere to be found. They hid during the Rodney King riots. They hide after a basketball game. What will they do during the Democratic National Convention?

God, help us all, please. Does the term “dysfunctional” come to mind?

MARK REYNOLDS

San Clemente