Kitty Dukakis Profile ‘Beats Story to Death’

I have to question the journalistic integrity of Times staff writer Elizabeth Mehren and her editors for their decision to write and publish the article, “Questions Shadow Dukakis Anew” (View, Nov. 10).

The first five paragraphs of the article read like something that would be found in People magazine, or worse yet, the National Enquirer. Writing speculative questions and second-guessing the cause of an individual’s personal problems do not provide readers with factual information, which is the writer’s responsibility. Not only is this type of writing misinforming and a weak attempt at communicating information, but it is also in very poor taste.

It is one thing to write a news story on the fact that Kitty Dukakis was hospitalized and the reason for it.

However, to do a profile, an exceedingly long one at that, on a person whose private life has been reported numerous times is only beating the story to death and dramatizing the whole event--an action not usually expected from The Times.

MICHELE SAMPOGNA

North Hollywood