Smith’s Acquittal on Rape Charge

Having just finished Jerry Mander’s “Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television,” I shuddered at Alan Dershowitz’s suggestions about TV in the courtroom (Commentary, Dec. 6). Such a specious, narcissistic argument is disappointing from someone of Dershowitz’s brilliance. The public was represented in that courtroom in the form of the jury members; they were the “audience” most well-positioned to form an opinion. This affair should have interested others very little.

Of course, we know that rape trials make good television. So do bombings. And serial murders. Executions. And people being thrown to lions. Doubtless the women of America appreciate having this issue reduced to 30-second sound bites.

GREG DEMPSTER

San Juan Capistrano