Friday, December 13, 2002 Queen Mary   I can certainly testify to Mayor Beverly O'Neill's statement about the Queen Mary when she stated that "Long Beach is known worldwide for the ship's presence the same way the Eiffel Tower defines Paris and the Empire State Building represents New York." As an amateur radio operator since long before the Queen Mary arrived, while talking to other amateurs throughout the country and the world, when I mentioned that I was in Long Beach, the question very frequently asked was, "Where is Long Beach in relation to Los Angeles?" Today that question is never asked; everyone seems to know that Long Beach is the home of the Queen Mary. A reader mentioned that the ship was "put on the wrong side of the harbor." That statement falls in the "woulda, coulda, shoulda" category. That may be true, but has nothing to do with the fact we have a very visible icon that has favorably affected tourism in Long Beach. It's here for us to enjoy where it is. Anyone who has cruised knows that the majority of cruise passengers generally arrive days before they board their ship. They will be spending many dollars downtown, not as the writer mentions that they "will love to be herded like cattle just to give them a chance to buy items at the various shops." The tourists' presence should enhance the income of business owners as well as providing many thousands of tax dollars to the city. Nate Brightman Long Beach