Sermons From Downey Not What He Wanted

Perhaps it’s Mike Downey [Aug. 12] who’s getting scary. His hysterical, preacher-man castigation and condemnation of all Los Angeles sports fans because of the wretched behavior of a very small number of people at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 12 is not only unjustified, it is childish. In our society, the many cannot be held accountable for the actions of the few. But how Downey can tie this incident to the Rams, the Raiders and the PGA Championship defies rationality.

I know Downey’s heart is broken because the Rams and Raiders have left town and attendance at the PGA was low. But can he really blame these things on the idiots who threw balls on the field? And does he really think Dodger management and Target stores are villains for having a ball night promotion?

As to the Rams and Raiders, I can only say this. Fans stopped caring about the Rams for a simple reason. Ram management, through an intriguing combination of fecklessness and arrogance, was unable--and financially unwilling--to field a team worthy of the name. The Raiders are gone, in large measure, because of Al Davis’ continued blackmail of local taxpayers, e.g., his demand for free rent at the Coliseum. Finally, to your plaintive bleat about low attendance at the PGA, maybe people thought it was just too dull. I suggest you try a little less preaching and a little more pertinence.

ROBERT MARCHAND

Cathedral City