Jim McDermott

Re “Florida Couple Say They Recorded Gingrich’s Call,” Jan. 14:

Congratulations, Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.). You recognized that you had a major responsibility to the American people in accepting and handling the tape recorded by John and Alice Martin of Florida.

As to the bluster from those who have been caught on tape, we remember that the jails are full of “innocents.” How long do they think they can get away with the real cover-up here, the cover-up of the truth about Newt Gingrich?

JOE L. HIRSCH

Lomita

* OK, let me see, two active Democrats are on their way to do their Christmas shopping with a scanner between them on the front seat of their car monitoring phone calls. Innocently, they pick up some conversation that they identify immediately as political. Handily and by coincidence, they have a tape recorder and tape the conversation without a break.

Oh, one other coincidence, scanners are not capable of picking up cellular calls unless modified or over three years old. Lastly, it’s against Florida law to monitor calls without all participants’ concurrence. Only in the U.S., with a liberal media, could such a fairy tale be reported without challenge.

ROGER L. CLOUTIER

Redondo Beach