DEAR ABBY: To "Desperate Neighbors in L.A." you recommended a series of expensive modifications to their homes to decrease the noise level from another neighbor's loud music. While I agree they should check with police on noise ordinances, I suggest the writers do their rude and thoughtless neighbors one better:
Why not get together with friends and rent outdoor speakers? On an agreed-upon night when no one is going to sleep much anyway, wait until the offending neighbors are asleep. Then crank up a recording of a rousing classical march or suite -- something by Sousa or Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture." Everyone could stand outside and blow whistles and honk horns, too. A couple of nights of this should get the message across.
I love your column. -- GEORGE L. CHAPPELL, OLYMPIA, WASH.
DEAR GEORGE: I can't in good conscience recommend tit for tat. If you resort to fighting fire with fire, you risk burning your own house down.