LOST IN L.A.

Regarding “Lost in L.A.” (Dec. 13): Author Mark Arax implies that Chinh’s actions were brought about by an uncaring American public, a public that “regards refugee teen-agers as either high school valedictorians or members of marauding gangs.” I disagree. There’s a much more appropriate label that Chinh fashioned all by himself--murderer.

DIANE M. WEBB

Chatsworth