Still Thinking of R.M. Nixon

While the title of Roger Morris’ Op-Ed article, “Nixon Left His Mark, and It Is All Around Us” (Aug. 14) is certainly apt, I can’t agree with his view of Nixon’s legacy. His argument in reference to the Watergate scandal that “what seemed clear villainy 15 years ago now takes on the soft tint of competence and decisiveness” couldn’t be more off-base. If anything, the significance of Watergate has grown substantially in the light of history.

The greatest lesson taught by that most cynical manipulation of the electoral process was that an individual in a position of power can put themselves above the law without fear of substantial punishment. Nixon himself got off with a pardon, and his aides received million dollar book contracts that made the whole episode very profitable.

This set the tone for the scandal-ridden government we have today. The main difference is that current violators of the public trust got off easier than Nixon and his cohorts.

The Iran-Contra scandal was clearly another case of powerful individuals acting above the law and manipulating the process, apparently including agreement not have the American hostages returned during the Carter Administration. Yet Ronald Reagan left office at the end of his term with popularity intact, George Bush was elected President, and Ollie North, who of the three was the only one clearly caught with his hand in the cookie jar, got off virtually scot-free.

This does not leave me feeling confident that highly placed government officials will feel bound by the law in the future. And while history may look favorably upon Nixon when viewing the ineptitude of his successors, it cannot forgive him for creating an atmosphere in which powerful officials feel they are above the law.

PAUL KORETZ

Mayor Pro-tem

City of West Hollywood