Energy Crisis as Political Payback
Re “All We Need Fear Is Bush’s Tale of Doom,” May 23: Arianna Huffington’s analysis is perfect and, coupled with Paul Conrad’s cartoon (“OPEC oil production executive Cheney”), addresses the so-called energy crisis for what it really is: political payback, greed and obscene profits in spite of the massive windfalls the energy and oil companies continue to reap.
Dan Pellow
Los Angeles
*
The California Public Utilities Commission is releasing information it has known for many months about the well-orchestrated manipulation of California’s electricity market (“PUC Allegations Detailed,” May 19). To PUC President Loretta Lynch: You knew about this collusion months ago, so why did you wait so long to divulge it? To Gov. Gray Davis: Your indecisiveness in this matter has just about bankrupted the state; you should have used your eminent domain authority to take back the power plants months ago, but now you’ve run out of money (ours). To President Bush: Your loyalty to the Exxons and Enrons of the world will subject California’s and the nation’s economies to a great setback. The real culprit is greed. When you let the fox in the henhouse, do you really expect him to eat only a few chickens?
Barry C. Olsan
Ontario
*
Davis’ declaration of “war” against the companies that supply our energy is unconscionable. What supplier would want to risk capital serving a market that treats him as an enemy?
*
Beatrice W. Forbes
Palos Verdes Estates
*
Funny that Republicans blame Bush’s predecessor, Bill Clinton, for the nation’s energy problems but not Davis’ predecessor, Pete Wilson, for California’s.
Saul Davis
Studio City
*
Gas prices are over $2 a gallon. Electricity prices are out of control. Natural gas is low, and the threat of rolling blackouts lurks around every corner, with no end in sight. Geez. I miss Bill Clinton.
Brian Frieson
Gardena
*
There is much to disagree with in the Bush energy plan, but it’s hard to fault the concept of integrating the various transmission grids under federal control to more efficiently distribute power. What’s troublesome, however, is the seemingly deliberate manner in which renewable energy sources and conservation are being marginalized. If the feds control a national grid, might they not find ways to make it most difficult for alternative power generators to access it?
Phillip Cutler
Costa Mesa
*
Re “Lockyer Fires Earthy Attack at Energy Exec,” May 23: Rape is a heinous crime; it is not a legally sanctioned form of punishment. This distinction seems to have eluded California Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer when he suggested that Enron Corp. Chairman Kenneth Lay deserved to be locked in a jail cell with an amorous inmate. Lockyer’s comment reflects an all-too-common belief that people who are incarcerated deserve to be raped as part of their punishment. California deserves an attorney general who understands the difference between legal incarceration and state-sanctioned torture. Lockyer should resign.
Robert Shannon
South Pasadena
*
Lockyer’s comment to the energy robber barons, “If we catch them, they’re going to be prosecuted,” is nothing but an empty threat. Despite all the evidence that the energy moguls are guilty, we all know what will happen. Essentially, nothing. Or at most, they’ll admit to no wrongdoing, pay a small fine and make some innocuous statement about putting this all behind us.
Trent D. Sanders
La Canada
*
Peter H. King writes about an energy problem in 1948 (May 20). On June 27, 1924, my mother wrote in her diary: “Electricity and service cut by 25% due to shortage.”
Sarah M. Duncan
San Gabriel
