Grauman’s Chinese Theatre’s no-so-set-in-cement stars; the Wyden-Ryan plan to reform Medicare; an expanded Panama Canal

Is nothing sacred?

Re “Stars’ prints set in cement, not stone,” Dec. 29

So the owners of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre think it’s a jolly good idea to “broaden the range” of the theater’s forecourt concrete blocks to include athletes and musicians. Such audacity.

May we remind them that this theater is not a sports or rock concert venue but an icon that is truly a repository of Hollywood history and film. Check the daily throngs in the forecourt — the tourists are looking for and taking photos of film favorites, and yes, that includes the past.

Those old concrete blocks of history will be “stored”? How about restored?

Conrad J. Doerr

Palm Springs

So you want to fix Medicare

Re “A workable Medicare Rx,” Dec. 28

Sen. Ron Wyden’s (D-Ore.) and Rep. Paul D. Ryan’s (R-Wis.) plan to reform Medicare is in essence a statement that choice and clairvoyance are synonyms. Because our citizens are so clairvoyant that they always make the right choice, it is only natural that their private insurance plan will always cover any health condition.

This ignores the fact that private health insurance plans are free-market products that attract people with low premiums while protecting insurance executives and stockholders from high medical costs.

Medicare is true insurance for a clearly defined portfolio of healthcare needs. The rising costs of Medicare are the result of two diametrically opposite factors: not enough audit resources invested in claims management, and not enough revenue generated to cover the increased costs of insuring more people who have more healthcare needs.

Gerald W. Hunt

San Jose

I was disappointed to read The Times’ favorable review of the Wyden-Ryan proposal. The real problem is for-profit insurance companies.

The United States is the only Western industrialized democracy that does not have a universal healthcare system. One of the main reasons I voted for President Obama was his support for a “public option.” Giving vouchers or other such options doesn’t address the problem.

For-profit insurance companies have a fundamental conflict of interest: profit versus care. We need a national healthcare option.

Wayne Bauer

Santa Monica

The editorial refers to Wyden as a “healthcare wonk who helped found his state’s chapter of the Gray Panthers advocacy group for senior citizens.” This may mislead people into believing Gray Panthers supports his proposal.

Gray Panthers opposes Wyden’s Medicare proposal, which goes against the group’s values and long-standing support for single-payer universal healthcare. Though the editorial does not say whether we support Wyden’s proposal, the juxtaposition of the proposal and statements of his past affiliation with Gray Panthers may lead one to believe that.

Jim Dawson

Torrance

The writer is secretary-treasurer for Gray Panthers.

The future of shipping

Re “Local ports face Panama challenge,” Business, Dec. 29

When the wider and deeper Panama Canal is operational, it is a certainty that the larger ships will use it. Canal proprietors and ports throughout the country are betting big bucks on their arrival.

The canal will offer a big advantage for any large ship hauling a cargo destined for delivery east of the Rockies. Such ships will not be coming to local ports.

The “Chicken Little” reaction of local port advocates is typical of people who refuse to face reality. At some point in the distant future when all ships are of “post panamax” size, there might be a reason to worry. Even then, larger ships means fewer ships.

John McWilliams

Long Beach

We progressives don’t want to see the ports get busier; global warming would only accelerate. More people will have health problems because of the pollution.

Expanding the ports is a terrible idea. Let the ships go to Panama.

William deLorimier

San Gabriel

Billing Occupy

Re “Free speech — it’s free,” Editorial, Dec. 29

It is a shame that the Occupy L.A. protesters are being blamed for the city’s expenditures during the protest. This important movement and public discussion drew needed attention to the fraudulent behavior of Wall Street.

The city is responsible for the cost. It used more than 1,000 officers in the middle of the night to attack a peaceful group that the mayor and City Council had supported and encouraged. The show of force was unnecessary.

Remember, the city spent more in a single day on Michael Jackson’s memorial service than it did over the two months that Occupy L.A. protesters camped at City Hall.

Kathleen O’Connor Wang

Diamond Bar

A real rail plan

Re “High-speed rail’s backup plan criticized,” Dec. 27

The Times failed to present how beginning construction in the Central Valley meets both short-term objectives and the long-term vision for California’s high-speed rail project.

The High-Speed Rail Authority has an agreement with Caltrans, the Amtrak decision-making agency and the Federal Railroad Administration to, if necessary, utilize the initial construction segment. This backup plan would reduce trip times and improve the on-time performance of Amtrak’s popular San Joaquin service.

This more efficient service can be in operation while other portions of the system are under construction.

The Central Valley-first approach ensures Californians will see improved intercity passenger service sooner without compromising the state’s long-term vision for high-speed rail. Existing assets can and will be utilized in the urban areas, but acquiring the new right of way needed to connect the Bay Area and L.A. in the rapidly growing Central Valley offers the greatest savings over the life of the project.

Thomas J. Umberg

Sacramento

The writer is chairman of the California High-Speed Rail Authority.

Welcome, wolf

Re “Wolf’s historic border crossing,” Dec. 30

After 84 years, one of California’s native sons has returned.

Wolves were brought to near extinction, so the return of this one should be greeted with great reverence. The only way to ask for forgiveness for the massacre of his species would be to show respect to this one and hope that more return.

Maybe we can help those individuals in Idaho and Montana who are riddling these magnificent beings with bullets and arrows see that all of life matters and put an end to this insane slaughter. California has an opportunity to lead by example.

Tim Viselli

La Cañada Flintridge

Cheers!

Re “A return to their roots,” Column One, Dec. 29

Olivier Cousin, the “natural” French winemaker, should be able to do without the outrageous fines that threaten him. I admire the way the French seem to protect their food and wine, but not every grape should follow a predestined route.

Wine, as well as every other food item, should be labeled properly. Where is it from? What ingredients (including chemical additives) are in the product?

Everyone could then decide for themselves which wines to buy. This is a problem that does not need to exist.

I wish the best for Cousin, and I hope he and French regulators move past these petty disputes and focus on making wonderful wine.

Dorothy Walker

Calabasas