Wednesday in the L. A. Times' editorial section, several letters reflecting on the death of cartoonist Paul Conrad and an essay in this section concerning same were printed. The only one commenting unfavorably asked if the writer would have been so positive if Conrad had been "a thorn in the side of a Democratic president." Actually, I don't think Mr. Conrad was any too complimentary to James Earl Carter or William Jefferson Clinton, but who am I in the face of this argumentative generally right-leaning style?

The writer signed from Laguna Nigel. Gee---"that" again? Chapter 9, environmental issues, thinly disguised if at all racism and myriad other issues slammed from places with such as "Rancho" in the name. Why do I notice this?

I have witnessed over the years the epithet of "garbage" hurled at those note the above. In my case it has come from who later were revealed as girl-friend beaters, thieves on the job, insecure folks who laughed at me talking about learning a musical instrument before hopping into a Porsche they desparately wanted noticed financed by an ulcer-besotted job, and other delectables.

If we're your refuse we're at least happy not to have been purchased by this money!