Censure for the President

* Re “Censure and Move On,” editorial, Dec. 1: What is the purpose of censure? What is it designed to accomplish? How is it possible to shame someone who has no shame?

Why are we coddling this miscreant? His presidency is, for all intents and purposes, paralyzed and ineffective now. If he is guilty of perjury and obstruction of justice, then he must be forced to answer to the charges now, just as I would have to. As much as he has damaged the office, letting him off the hook with some ridiculous rebuke would do so much more and long-lasting damage to our system of laws. Do you realize how difficult it will be in the future to impeach a president for perjury if Congress just drops the ball now? This process has to be concluded.

If Congress does not have the guts to remove him, then so be it. But I want all members on record in a final vote in the House and also in the Senate. No escape hatch. I want to know which members believe in the rule of law and which do not.

WARREN H. RAABE

Lakewood

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Since apparently most Americans and all Democrats wish that Clinton remain in office but feel he should at least be censured, I suggest that as punishment (censure) we take away all his retirement benefits including all perks associated with it. This way all those who prefer that he leave office one way or another will at least not see their taxes supporting someone they have no respect for.

MARY J. MONK

San Clemente

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When I coached Little League, it used to infuriate and sadden me to watch some opposing coaches scour the rule books after a loss, hoping to find an obscure rule that they could use to change the outcome of a game.

Imagine how I must feel now as I watch the Republicans, in their plan to subpoena President Clinton over possible campaign contribution violations, do basically the same thing (Dec. 1). Maybe the American people would give their views more credibility if they would stop looking as childish as those Little League coaches did.

DAVID J. MECOZZI

Rancho Cucamonga

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To those impeachment-hungry zealots who proclaim, “What kind of nation would we be if we don’t impeach the president?” the proper response is, “What kind of nation would we be if we don’t forgive him?”

GEORGE V. HALL

Manhattan Beach