When lines are crossed

Re “Madoff losses go deep in L.A.,” Dec. 16

It is shameful that a man would cause such harm to fellow humans. It is amazing how people’s greed prevented them from asking how one individual could beat the market time after time -- even during economic conditions not seen since the Depression.

When I learned the Ten Commandments, it was stated very simply: “Thou shalt not steal.”

Now, in Hollywoodland, we’re even editing God’s law. Real estate financier Richard Ziman says of investment advisor Bernard L. Madoff, “There is no greater shanda (disgrace) than stealing from friends, family and those who gave him such trust and confidence.”

Mr. Ziman, the commandment is very simple. “Thou shalt not steal.”

Ted Zachariadis

Los Angeles

--

As a 30-year participant, beneficiary and victim of the Madoff scam, I would like to see him treated in the following manner: indicted, convicted and sentenced. Then pardoned with the agreement that he become a top advisor to the Treasury Department.

His financial brilliance, manipulative skills and talents are sorely needed by our country to extricate ourselves from the mess we are in.

Our country needs an experienced monetary genius. His being a crook may be an asset.

Morrie Markoff

Silver Lake

--

Re “Madoff scandal a gift to lawyers,” Dec. 17

I find it amazing that all these intelligent, well-to-do investors were unaware that Bernard “made off” with their money.

Charles Kent

Santa Monica

--

Wow. The SEC filed charges against Martha Stewart back in 2003 but missed an opportunity to investigate Madoff and save billions of investors’ dollars? There is no end to this administration’s incompetence.

Helen R. Silvers

Agoura Hills

--

Dec. 16 was George Santayana’s birthday. This Spanish-born philosopher is remembered for his aphorism, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

I would like to point out that those who do know the mistakes of the past -- think 1929 -- and ignore them or do nothing to correct them will also repeat them.

Too bad Wall Street power brokers, certain Fed chairmen, bankers and Ponzi-scheme fund managers didn’t get this message. Or maybe they did ... but that would make them the greediest sinners on the face of the Earth, wouldn’t it?

Glenn Schiffman

Burbank