Lay Is Remembered As a 'Straight Arrow' (I am NOT Making This Up!)

[Demeter]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/12/AR2006071201776.html?referrer=email


Lay Is Remembered As a 'Straight Arrow'
Mourners Denounce Enron Prosecution

By Sylvia Moreno
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 13, 2006; A03



HOUSTON, July 12 -- Former Enron Corp. executive Kenneth L. Lay, the business visionary who became a symbol of corporate greed, was memorialized Wednesday for his devotion to his family, his faith and his philanthropy -- and also defended as a "good man" who was the victim of prosecutors and the media.

He was a "straight arrow -- a Boy Scout, if you will -- who lived by Christian-Judeo principles," longtime friend Mick Seidl said during a memorial service that drew almost 1,200 to First United Methodist Church. The church, where Lay and his wife, Linda, were married 24 years ago this Monday, is just blocks from the downtown skyscraper that once housed Enron, the energy-trading giant that Lay built.

"I am saddened he will be remembered for the Enron indictment and trial," Seidl said. "An overzealous federal prosecutor and the media have vilified a good man. It was total character assassination."

The service drew a wide range of public officials and dignitaries who live in Houston, including former president George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush, former secretary of state James A. Baker III, and former Texas governor Mark White. This was the second service for Lay, 64, who died of a heart attack on July 5 while vacationing in Aspen, Colo., with his family. A private funeral was held there on Sunday. Lay's remains were cremated, and his ashes were buried in the Colorado mountains.

Lay was convicted May 25 on six federal counts of fraud and conspiracy in connection with the 2001 collapse of Enron. The bankruptcy wiped out more than 5,000 jobs and $1 billion in employee retirement savings and led to federal investigations into corporate wrongdoing and the manipulation of financial statements.

Special correspondent Carol Rust contributed to this report.

[Kolesar]

1. Ripped off CA ratepayers for what--$80 Billion?

Former Enron tax analyst Marie Watkins stood outside the church in the shade of a red umbrella, wearing a white shirt with the iconic tilted letter E on the pocket, and paid her respects.

She said she worked with Lay for 27 years -- first at Florida Gas Co., where Lay began his public career in 1973 after working as a Washington bureaucrat, and after he moved to Houston to take on other energy business ventures. Although she lost 90 percent of her stock portfolio when Enron folded, she called Lay "a good person who did a lot of good in the community."

"He was wrong in what he did, and justice was served," she said. "But that doesn't make him a bad person. He made a big, big mistake that caused a lot of people a lot of hurt, and I know he felt bad about it."

[Demeter]

3. Sure Would Like To Know How Justice Was Served, Wouldn't You?

They haven't even skimmed the top of this crime, let alone provided justice to anyone (except maybe Anderson Little)

[Ganja Ninja]

4. At least he didn't pistol whip anybody and he felt bad later.

:shrug: :banghead:

[Preening Fop]

2. The Promised Biography In Return For Kenny Boy's Suicide.

:yoiks:

[luckyleftyme2]

8. IF HE WERE CLINTON'S MAN

my how controlled is our media? if he were a clinton man his death would be investigated as a murder.the ex- president would be smeared across the news media.
at least several calls would be made by the republican party for criminal investigations.
mean while oil prices spike,interest rates rise and the budget deficit continues to rise as the
crooks in congress continue to rip off our grandchildren.

[fasttense]

5. Let's see, we could be glad about what he didn't do.

He didn't kill anyone. Well, wait, he caused energy shortages in California and those shortages might have been the cause of a poor person's early demise due to lack of air conditioning or loss of operative medical equipment. Or his ripping off the retirement funds might have lead to someone's suicide or early demise due to poverty's repercussions.

Ok, so he didn't rape anyone. Well, wait, he caused energy shortages and lack of adequate lighting is known to encourage crime.

Well he didn't drown puppies. See, I knew I could find one good thing to say about the ruthless criminal.

[tsuki]

6. Conservative philanthropy...rolling brownouts, everyone gets to share. nt

[TheFarseer]

7. Wow, what a disconnect

reminds me of Jeffery Dahmer's neighbors saying, "He was always such a nice polite young man."

[depakid]

9. The Post will say absolutely anything

It's as if their editors have completely lost touch with reality.

[luckyleftyme2]

10. ever read the book 1982

big brother is now controlled by foreign funds. we need to throw out the thief's in congress now.