US Out of Central America Sometimes I can''t help myself. Mr. Michael Dusenberry commented on the Sandinistas of Nicaragua [Letters, Dec. 12-18]. He argued against a description of the Sandinistas as a democratically elected government. True the Sandinistas took power in a 1979 revolution, and they lost it in a 1990 election after 10 years of U.S.-sponsored war at the hands of the Contras had beaten the people into a choice they were told would mean change.

But in 1984 an election took place in Nicaragua that was open to all parties and observed by 400 foreigners from 40 different countries. No fraud was reported or seriously charged and the Sandinistas won by a two-to-one margin. Washington labeled this election a "sham" because it didn''t fit with its plans to convince the world that the Sandinistas and their social reforms were as bad or worse than the Nazis. Just because our government didn''t like it and most of the people don''t know about it, doesn''t mean that the Sandinistas were never democratically elected. Ronnie Reagan lives on.

Mike Castleton/Salinas

Anti-Fascists Are All A Bunch of Commies
General Augusto Pinochet''s only "crime" was in overthrowing a Marxist dictator. Michael Dusenberry wrote that Salvador Allende was democratically elected leader of Chile. Allende, despite employing massive election fraud and using aid from the Soviet Union only received 36 percent of the Chilean vote. Once in office, Allende illegally confiscated private farms, homes and businesses. Chilean courts ruled against the property seizures over 7,000 times; rulings which Allende refused to abide by. Food production under Allende plunged and the economy was ruined.

After Allende was overthrown, documents detailed Allende''s plans to violently take total control of the Chilean Government and murder his opposition.

Almost all of the people bashing Pinochet are the usual sordid assortment of the ''60s-''70s era Marxists. Many of these same people hero-worship the likes of Castro, Mandela, Arafat etc.

Brian L. Burleson

Non-Christians Out of Christmas
The Christ out of "Christ"mas? [Letters, Dec. 12-18] (means to gather to celebrate Christ). Yes, I am a Christian, and yes Christmas is a Christian holiday in which we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus. I don''t go and celebrate, for example, a Buddhist holy day, because I am a Christian. Yet, I am not offended that a Buddhist is celebrating their holy day.

Over the years, things like Santa Claus (St. Nick and we all know the story) were added. These things can take the concentration off of "what Christmas really is about," but I look at them as fun and joyful things, and of course my grandchildren love it--but they also know the real reason for the season and give God the glory.

I say to all non-Christians, do not get offended by: a prayer to Jesus, singing Holy Night and having a minister give an invocation. Stay home, pretend it''s just another day--go to work like it''s a regular day etc.--do not celebrate at all. Regardless of your religious beliefs, it is a Christian holiday celebrating Christ''s birth. Go to any Christmas function and you may be offended--that''s a chance you''ll have to take. But you can''t expect people to not say and do things related to what day we''re celebrating. And whether you are a Christian or not, celebrating Christmas is celebrating Christ. That''s why it''s spelled c-h-r-i-s-t-m-a-s.

Nancy Carroll/Marina

Commuters Out of Upper New Monterey
I just called the Monterey County Traffic suggestion number to get a protected light or one of the lights that are in place to have a left arrow up the hill into the neighborhood (away from the ocean) on Lighthouse. They have five no-lefts now and are giving out tickets if you go up the hill. So for the sake of the people who live here they need to do something about this problem. I hope others agree and call or write too.

Joyce Porter/Monterey