PUBLIC FORUM.

`Cooking' with oil

Re ``Oil 'crisis' just supply and demand'' (Aug. 23):

Some of what Thomas Sowell says rings true. The expanding growth of foreign economies does put pressure on oil supplies. But he misses a major point. When the people who trade in oil think a problem such as hurricane damage is possible, they force the prices up, making huge profits.

When the damage doesn't occur, do they give that money back? No, they keep the millions taken from consumers. I see little difference between doing this and ``cooking'' the books, as in Enron-style fraud. Why aren't these people taken to court and forced to give up these ill-gained profits?

- Don Allen 

Canyon Country

Congestion fee

Re ``Fuel prices drain budgets'' (Aug. 23):

One way this state could help our region's persistent problems with traffic and high gas prices is to get rid of our gas tax. Instead, a ``congestion'' charge might be established on our freeways. This would encourage further carpooling, reduce traffic and let the state finally have enough money to repair our fraying transportation system, and more carpooling would lessen our demand for foreign oil.''

- Charlie Carnow

Northridge

As a victim

Re ``Car theft capital'' (Your Opinions, Aug. 24):

As a victim of both ``joyride'' and ``stripped'' or gone-forever car theft, I believe we need tougher mandatory minimum penalties for those who commit the gone-forever kind. Last time I checked - some years ago - a car thief who stole ``with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of his vehicle'' could still get probation, on technicalities - even upon a third such conviction. So, three steals and you're out - out of jail, that is.

- Harvey Pearson

Los Felix

Filthy become filthier

Re ``Will political egos fumble NFL's return to L.A.?'' (Aug. 19):

All you football fans can hardly wait for the NFL to come back to Southern California. Look at all the ``benefits.'' Certain filthy-rich people will become filthier. There will be no L.A. games on TV when the team is home because of the blackout imposed unless stadium seating is sold out. Lastly, we will be able to easily identify with those players as they appear on the police blotter - for the usual assaults on wives and girlfriends. Sounds great, doesn't it?

- George Timko

West Hills

Can't hurt

Re ``View From the Valley'' Aug. 24 cartoon, ``Intelligent Design'':

Since Christian schools educate their students far better than the secular public schools do, inviting God back into the public schools might not be such a bad idea.

- Ross Yerkes

Los Angeles 

Prop. 13 no answer

Re ``Lack of leadership'' (Your Opinions, Aug. 23):

Proposition 13 was not the right solution in saving people from losing their homes. In fact, Proposition 13 has made it difficult or impossible for first-time buyers to purchase homes in California because of the high prices. The government has collected more from first-time homeowners than would have been possible without Proposition 13, and those in government go right on spending it.

Proposition 13 has provided savings for large corporations and big businesses. How often do they sell property that then becomes subject to higher property tax? It is the homeowner who pays the bulk of property tax. There has to be a better solution for homeowners to live in peace in their own homes and not be taxed out. Proposition 13 is not the answer.

- Nina Trotta-Sutton

Simi Valley 

District boundaries

California legislative boundaries are determined by our state Legislature every 10 years. This includes districts for the state Assembly, the state Senate and California's seats in the U.S. Congress. Since state legislators can draw boundaries any way they want, the boundaries are drawn to protect those already in office.

The result is that we have many strangely shaped districts. Thus Rep. Howard Berman's district includes San Fernando, Encino, Studio City and some of everything in between. Rep. Henry Waxman has a district that includes Topanga, Chatsworth, Woodland Hills and West Los Angeles. Proposition. 77 would give the power to draw boundaries to a panel of retired judges. Many congressmen and state legislators are raising extraordinary amounts of money to fight this proposition. I wonder why.

- Don Evans

Canoga Park

Not eminent domain 

Re ``Out of control'' (Your Opinions, Aug. 23):

Bob Sharp thinks the removal of the Jews is the ultimate in eminent domain, and he is outraged.

Eminent-domain law does not apply in Gaza. Eminent domain applies to lawfully owned land, and this land is not the legal territory of the Israeli settlers. Israel has occupied and settled this territory in defiance of the Geneva Convention since the Arab-Israeli conflict way back in 1967.

Throughout recent history, the victors rarely occupy permanently, and the Geneva Convention says they are not supposed to settle these territories. Now, Israel is finally trying to make it right and, by taking this courageous step, is taking a giant step toward peace with the Palestinians.

- Richard McCurdy

Burbank

With no draft

I believe the reason Cindy Sheehan does not get any public support, except from the Michael Moores of the world, is because we have an all-volunteer military. Reinstate the draft, and you will see public outcry from the left, the right, the middle and every college campus in the United States.

- James Istilart

Palmdale

Superpatriots

The superficiality of the superpatriots is sickening. Are they volunteering to join the armed forces? Are their offspring volunteering to join the armed forces? Are they willing to forgo the pleasantries of civilian life? Are they willing to assume the cost of the war? And what of the children of those politicians who voted for and favor the war? Are the politicians' children doing the fighting?

The killings won't stop terrorism. Rid the world of poverty. Find ways to make living more pleasant for the masses of underfed, disease-ridden, ill-housed and unemployed people, and we will not need to worry about terrorists here or abroad.

- Herman Berman

Sherman Oaks

Questions three

If I could ask but three questions of President Bush and the Congress, they would be: Can you tell me once again why we stopped chasing Osama bin Laden and attacked Iraq instead? If we win the war, how will we know we have won and with whom will we sign an armistice? And why is protecting the Iraqi border more important than protecting our own borders?

- Ernest F. Fintor

Northridge

Honoring our troops

When did criticizing a futile and pointless war become synonymous with criticizing the troops who are fighting that war? Objection to American policy does not represent a lack of support. In fact, it honors the troops just as much, because it is exactly what they are told they are fighting for - the right to speak our minds. It used to be called democracy.

- Joe Furey

Valley Village

Altar of evolution

I'm so sick of hearing those who worship at the altar of evolution claim they are taking the high road of science versus the dogma of religion. First, evolution is a mathematical impossibility and violates the laws of probability. Second, evolution violates the second law of thermodynamics, which says that every act of man and every process of nature increases the chaos in the universe. Order does not proceed forth from chaos. Order degenerates into chaos, never to rise again without outside help. Iron degenerates into rust. Rust does not regenerate into iron.

Evolution is progress by birth defect, an oxymoron. Sherlock Holmes said it best: ``Once you have eliminated the impossible, whatever is left, however unlikely, is the truth.'' It doesn't matter if the unlikely is also the unliked.

- Rivers Giles

Reseda

Mystery carburetor

Re ``Hiding technology'' (Your Opinions, Aug. 22):

I have been trying to obtain evidence of the existence of a ``100-miles-per-gallon carburetor'' since 1947, when I first heard the story. It would be great if Gary Haskins would supply verification of the story, so I could finally put my search to rest.

- Hubert C. Bachtel

North Hills