Air Quality

* Re “EPA Rejects Southland Smog Rules as Too Weak,” Jan. 1:

It’s no accident or surprise that Southern California air quality has worsened when you realize that SUVs, vans and pickups are the vehicles of choice of almost half the nation’s drivers. These shortsighted folks who are brainwashed by the auto makers’ power-sex lifestyle propaganda don’t give a damn and share responsibility for the current regressive conditions. Add to this the AQMD’s trade-off-points credit scam and other concessions and you get the picture.

JERRY KATZ

Los Angeles