Clinton and the Draft

* I read with great disappointment your June 30 editorial, “20 Years of Isolation Is Enough.”

It appears that The Times has now begun using the disrespectful rhetoric of the extreme right. President Clinton is accused of “ducking” the draft.

The Times should be reminded that President Clinton has openly acknowledged that he did not support America’s policy in Vietnam. Having a legitimate student deferment and exercising the right to demonstrate against something which he felt was unjust does not meet the definition of “ducking.”

I suppose you would feel that Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Tex.), who took a deferment and is proud to say, “I was of more use at home,” is a person of greater patriotic character.

The use of such disrespectful rhetoric is shameful.

JERRY DAVIS

San Clemente