Linda Tripp’s Role in Scandal

Re Bill Press’ article, “An Average Mom? Hardly,” Commentary, July 31:

Once again Press strikes with his “shoot the messenger” logic, in his article on Linda Tripp.

He totally ignores the primary problem this White House team has with honesty and morality. They have used the office of the presidency for their own gain and in so doing have demonstrated utter contempt for the oath of office and the rule of law.

By Press’ example, it would be a sin to report a thief.

Press uses the same methods the Clinton team members do to trash anyone who disagrees with their tactics. When they can’t justify the means, they vilify the opponents.

DAVE WHITTEN

Long Beach

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Re “As the Cameras Roll, Tripp Finally Makes Her Talking Points,” July 30:

Gee, maybe Tripp is just like you and me. C’mon gang, who among us (while working on a book deal) hasn’t taped our friend’s most intimate conversations about an alleged affair, sprinted to an attorney’s office with the goods in an obvious attempt to entrap the president of the United States, which then touched off a six-month media frenzy in which once-respected veteran reporters end up discussing the president’s genitals on “Face the Nation”?

ALAN GROSSBARD

Santa Monica

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Gerald Uelmen is right (Commentary, July 31)! President Clinton should “take the 5th.” I, for one, do not wish to read or hear about all the gory details. The president would be doing the country a favor if he takes the professor’s advice.

JEAN M. BALDWIN

El Segundo

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Since Monica Lewinsky has agreed to turn over to Kenneth Starr all of her late-night tapes of Clinton’s messages for her, I don’t think his taking the 5th will matter.

JESSIE G. DeMASSA

Huntington Beach

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Your editorial on the independent counsel statute (July 30) missed the point. The independent counsel law is working just as the Democrats designed it: to allow Congress to harass a president of the other party--except they never anticipated the role reversal.

ANDRIUS V. VARNAS

Redondo Beach