MAILBAG:

State Sen. Tom Harman’s rant in Forum (“UC administrators’ salaries burden the taxpayer,” May 28) shows clearly that the good senator understands little about compensation.

He bemoans the $850,000 per year salary of the University of California’s new president, Mark Yudof, without pointing out that Yudof is responsible for a state-wide higher education system with more than 220,000 students, and 170,000 faculty and staff on 10 campuses including five medical centers with an annual budget of $18 billion.

I would like to see private industry recruit a president of an operation of this nature at a salary of $850,000. The corporate annual reports I receive show presidents of money-losing corporations earning $12 million a year and more.

Perhaps the best salary comparison on the university level is the salary of new UCLA football coach, Rick Neuheisel, $1.25 million plus benefits, incentives and perks. What does USC pay Pete Carroll? He gets a base of $2.8 million a year.

So come on, Harman. Yudof is a bargain. And the president’s house he will occupy? Perhaps few students will be hosted there, but countless potential donors will be hosted there — donors required to make up the university’s deficit voted by senators like you.

Newport Beach

They made the choice, we need to respect that

My mom, my dad, my aunt and uncle all died from cancer. I think I can more than relate to the loss of a close relative. Especially your mom or dad.

However, I do not blame anyone for their personal choices. My grandmother did not allow smoking inside her home. She could paint a visual picture of what smoking and chewing tobacco could do to your body in the 1940s. My mom, her sisters and brothers chose not to follow her advice. It was their decision for the part tobacco played in their lives.

The idea that we are ignorant and we blame others for all our bad decisions must stop.

It is dishonest on our part and is a very poor example for children. It teaches them and society nothing except we are not responsible for our own choices. Someone else is to blame. In this case it is the tobacco companies. Not us, no, it could not possibly be our fault for our own bad decisions.

Do I wish my mom and dad were still here? Of course. Do I miss my favorite aunt who was so much like my mom? No question about it. Would I do anything to limit their choices that I wish were different? Absolutely not.

I am thankful every day that I have the freedom to make bad decisions, to make a bad choice.

AUGUST LIGHTFOOT