Better to Wish Milken a Modicum of Guilt

Allan Sloan’s story on Michael Milken, Ivan F. Boesky and Victor Posner (“How Milken, Boesky and Posner Gutted a Once-Productive Company,” July 4) shows how easily we fall into the pit of reinforcing inhumane and criminal behavior in the name of humanity. In this apparently objective and concerned article, Sloan mentions his previous friendliness with Milken and comments, “I still wish (him) well.”

Well, Sloan seems perfectly (and appropriately) willing to judge Milken’s most recent slimy courtroom behavior, but, by innocuously wishing him “well,” ignores his resolute willingness to avoid responsibility (except under duress, of course). Better he should wish Milken enlightenment or perhaps a modicum of guilt for the pain he’s caused so many.

Forgiveness works well for Buddhists. In a world of power-mongering opportunists, however, it’s just license to figure out a new scam for “milken-ing” the rubes. The proof is in Milken’s incorrigible courtroom behavior. Any reinforcement, even humanely, does all of us--including Milken himself--a virulent disservice.

ALLAN RABINOWITZ

Los Angeles