PUBLIC FORUM.

Snake oil peddlers

Re ``Enron execs Skilling, Lay convicted of conspiracy'' (May 26):

I'm sure Kenneth Lay and his gang thought of themselves as titans of industry, when in reality they were no more than snake oil peddlers selling mirrors and smoke.

After five years, justice has prevailed and now we have to wait until September for sentencing. I guess the hope now is that these scumbags live a long life in prison.

-- John Strout

Van Nuys

Closer to home

Re ``Stars come out for farmers'' (May 25):

Up in a tree. Don't take our vegetables away. Don't cut down the ``tree.'' Surrounded by the urban jungle. We need to preserve it for the 300 victims.

Joan and Darryl, while you are singing and proselytizing your city and county councils are taking away your open space -- cutting down 100- plus-year-old trees -- hundreds of acres being turned to concrete. Wildlife corridors decimated -- nesting grounds turned to mulch -- wake up. Come out to Chatsworth and the Northwest Valley. Bring a tissue to wipe your tears.

-- Allen Glazer

Chatsworth

Free land

Re ``Stars come out for farmers'' (May 25):

Man buys property, property is ``seized'' by the city or state (eminent domain). City does not use the property as it had intended, man gets property back. Man allows the community ``free'' use of the land and the now famous ``South Central Farm'' is born.

Now 12 or more years later, man wants to realize the benefits of his hard legal efforts and the property in which he invested. Sounds like the American dream.

To all the Hollywood types, put your money where your mouth is. The owner should be graciously thanked for the use and benefit of using his property. The ``farmers'' it would appear, so used to the bleeding heart liberal giveaway programs, now are looking for more free land. Unbelievable.

-- Tim Powell

Mission Hills

What about taxes?

Re ``Stars come out for farmers'' (May 25):

Even if someone comes up with $16 million or the current property owner comes down in price to $10 million, one question: Who is going to pay the property taxes? Those will be expensive vegetables!

-- Heather Bruce

West Hills

LAPD at LAX

Re ``LAX shift may cause cops chaos'' (May 25):

LAX is the No. 1 terrorist target. The fact is, LAPD officers are the best trained in the nation. If airport police officers want to start handling specialized functions then they will need to go back into the academy and get trained.

When a shooting occurred at the El Al Israeli airlines in 2002, LAX had to call in the big guns of LAPD to handle it. We should continue to utilize LAPD officers to handle specialized situations and remain the primary authority in keeping us safe from a terrorist attack at LAX.

-- Monica Harmon

Los Angeles