Here’s a Brief Defense, but No Bill of Rights

So reader Joe Schimps [Viewpoint, Aug. 28] thinks a chimpanzee could put together the Morning Briefing better than Mal Florence? I seriously doubt that a chimp (or Schimps) would be able to handle the five to six hours it takes to assemble a single Briefing, three or four of which are needed merely to cull the material.

Daily newspapers from around the country were the source used by the late Harley Tinkham, originator of the Briefing, and Mal’s best friend. Though a lot can be found on the Internet today, 25-30 papers still need to be accessed weekly.

If Schimps was looking for a Times staffer to disparage, he couldn’t have made a poorer choice.

DICK BANK

Los Angeles

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I think Bill Plaschke’s columns should be required reading for every sports fan, because they serve as a great reminder of how good Jim Murray and Allan Malamud really were.

KEVIN RIORDAN

Rancho Cucamonga