Clinton and Impeachment

Re Jack Nelson’s “Impeachment Cloud Darkens,” National Perspective, March 30:

Once again the public is treated as though it has no intelligence. Nelson’s well-oiled article, with all of its attendant “‘sources,” is nothing more than a diatribe in a vacuum. That vacuum is the Beltway. This whole affair is nothing more than a political fight between the conservatives who hate the president and the Democrats.

Will it weaken the presidency? Well, let’s look at history. Grover Cleveland, Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and others had crises of equal or greater magnitude. They seemed to weather their storms and do just fine.

What makes this partisan fight so different? Outcome: The Republicans in Congress try to score political points by doing something to try and hurt Clinton, but fail. Clinton finishes his term with the country in great economic shape and betters the lives of us “confused” folks out there.

Prediction for the future: Either Al Gore or George Bush Jr. will have their lives taken apart by the media. You think this is a media circus? Wait until 2000.

HARRY SCHWARZ

Agoura Hills

* Doug Gamble (“Conspirator Throws Up a White Flag,” Column Right, March 29) is described as a humor writer for Presidents Bush, Reagan and other Republicans. Sick humor. In his use of bitter sarcasm to smear President Clinton, he relies on a basically flawed premise: that someone, somewhere has produced a single shred of evidence to prove any of the allegations against the president.

Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty, Mr. Gamble?

CARROLL C. GEWIN

Fullerton

* Re “The People’s Judgment Is Not Always Right” Commentary, March 25 : William F. Buckley’s opinion of President Clinton is truly “a voice crying out in the wilderness.” Buckley correctly asks the question: “What is the matter with the general public?” Indeed, what is the matter?

I sense deep inside that Americans are coming dangerously close to accepting the morally substandard as their new standard. Perhaps the material comforts of technological and financial prowess have hypnotized Americans into believing in any man who would maintain and sustain these symbols of “superior” living regardless of the cost in personal and moral integrity.

ARTHUR SAGINIAN

Northridge

* It seems like the columnists who bray about “the will of the people” when the courts reject an initiative that conflicts with the Constitution now declare that Clinton’s public approval despite the scandal simply reveals the stupidity of the people.

HOWARD BENSEN

Woodland Hills

* Re “Impeachment: Always a Good Idea,” Column left, March 29:

I can’t decide whether the new (but not improved) Alexander Cockburn sounds more like Cal Thomas or Rush Limbaugh. But now that he sees himself as an apologist for Linda Tripp, shouldn’t you move him to Column Right?

ROBERT E. GOYETTE

Rolling Hills Estates

* Re “Clinton Says Africa Was Neglected by America,” March 25:

The article states that President Clinton stopped short of an apology for slavery, which some African Americans have sought. I believe if a poll were taken of African Americans, most if not all would appreciate that apology. I as a white American believe it would go a long way toward healing this very old wound.

Two other acts by our government would take this healing process even further. In the process of redesigning our currency that is going on right now, we should think seriously about replacing the slave owners that are currently there with great Americans who are more in keeping with our ethnically diverse society. The other thing that I feel would help in this process would be a slavery museum on the mall in Washington.

DOUG EDGE

Pacific Palisades