NFL in L.A.: Coliseum, Dodger Stadium or . . .

King Solomon showed that the one who is willing to give up what he/she loves is truly the one who should possess it. Peter O’Malley, in once again bowing to the pressure of politicians who are trying to force a tired “New Coliseum� project down the throat of L.A., has again proven he is the one who should bring the NFL back to L.A.

The people of Los Angeles trust Mr. O’Malley, and in light of recent experiences, trust--along with a new stadium in a place L.A. already loves to go--is what will make a new team a success.

Wake up and smell the Dodger Dogs, Mr. Ridley-Thomas. The only people who want the NFL at the Coliseum are the politicians themselves. The people want it at Dodger Stadium with Mr. O’Malley at the helm.

MARIO SOTO, Valencia

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T.J. Simers’ latest diatribe on the merits of an effort to bring an NFL team to the new Coliseum [Oct. 18] is only the latest salvo in his war against this worthwhile effort.

It’s difficult to comprehend, however, his devotion to the concept of building a new stadium adjacent to Dodger Stadium. The new Coliseum is clearly the more viable option, can be brought to fruition much sooner, and has the overwhelming support of the surrounding community, in stark contrast to the mood of residents in the Elysian Park area.

PETER WHITTINGHAM, Rancho Santa Margarita

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I can already see Bill Plaschke’s next article: “I was wondering what the first-graders at XYZ Elementary thought of the Dodgers’ proposed sale to Rupert Murdoch. Only three could name the National League Cy Young winner. Half have never attended a game. Only one would give up his milk money if ticket prices increased.�

Can we save articles like that for the Nickelodeon section and leave the front page to something interesting like, say, the baseball playoffs?

MARK RODGERS, Long Beach

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If Walter O’Malley had based his decision on what a bunch of high schoolers thought, do you think the Dodgers would have ever come to town?

LORI MOORE, Garden Grove

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I used to like Bill Plaschke’s articles. I used to respect his opinions. However, after reading his recent interview with a high school class, I was left scratching my head. A bunch of 15-year-olds that aren’t concerned about ticket prices, concession costs or parking fees. What a novel thought. He must not have kids of his own.

TONY DeSILVA, Ventura

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Your whole sports department is so obsessed with getting pro football and free passes for sportswriters back to L.A. that it refuses to see the handwriting on the wall. Bill Plaschke misses the point even when he writes the article.

What do the networks--the real commissioner of football--want to know? Are the ratings up? Are kids watching football? Are the people seeing their commercials? The answers are all “Yes� and that’s what the networks want to hear. Are a bunch of idiots able to name an NFL quarterback? The networks couldn’t care less. (Ask that question at Granada Hills High and I’ll bet the results are different.) L.A. doesn’t need the NFL and, as long as people watch, the NFL doesn’t need L.A. Media, quit trying to foist blackouts on us in exchange for our tax dollars.

MICHAEL HELWIG, Canoga Park