Shultz and Lie Detectors

Your editorial (Dec. 20), “Honor and Dishonor,” was really simplistic and off the mark. You state that lie detector tests are unreliable, and that the mind-set underlying the President’s order to administer them is shabby and squalid, and then you conclude that the government is reckless to employ the polygraph and forfeits the respect of decent citizens. Poppycock.

Hasn’t the country been badly served by government employees who recklessly release sensitive if not confidential pieces of information? And haven’t negotiations and strategies of politicians been compromised if not undermined by the reckless reporting of pieces of information, taken out of context, that were provided by less than reliable sources?

Let’s face it--we’ve tried the “honorable” way and we still have damaging leaks. Let’s try to plug those leaks, and if lie detector tests will help, let’s do it.

JIM McBRIDE

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