Spin Doctors and Scandal

Neal Gabler notes that spin doctors and speech writers are now commonly credited in the press (Opinion, Feb. 15). Thus the American public is now aware of disinformation in the news. He concludes that by this loss of innocence we have “paid the bill” for the glut of fabricated information now jamming the news media.

Gabler is partially right. We feel a great sadness at acknowledging that our leaders twist the truth, and that the press dutifully reports fabrications as news. But he has failed to account for the practical gain we have received by being informed of that fact.

I am now the wary, amused consumer of spun news (and perhaps the later retractions). I can judge credibility for myself according to spokesman, wording, motive and relative plausibility. I can “calibrate” spin doctors. In the old days, we had no way of judging the credibility of a scant few covertly spun stories. We all believed the Eisenhower White House when it said there were no U2s in Russian airspace in the ‘50s. No thanks. I’ll take our present jaded condition.

President Clinton’s poll numbers indicate I am not alone in my ability to separate editorial wheat from chaff. Our job would be easier, however, if reporters didn’t “sell” spun stories as if they had the scoop of the century.

JACK ARNOLD

Irvine

* As I ponder the dilemma that Clinton finds himself in, I cannot help but recall the fate of Lt. Kelly Flinn, a young woman who was forced to resign from the Air Force because of her lying about a sexual relationship. I also see the plight of the Army’s Sgt. Maj. Gene McKinney, under court-martial for his alleged sexual activity with subordinates. Evidently the commander in chief is not being held to the same level of conduct. Does this suggest sexism and racism or is something else at work?

WILLIAM STINDE

Torrance

* Perhaps a major reason for President Clinton’s continuing popularity despite the current sex scandal is that he and Al Gore are all that stand between Newt Gingrich and the presidency.

ELEANOR EGAN

Costa Mesa

* Telephone wiretapping without the consent of both parties involved is illegal in Maryland. It is beyond my ability to comprehend why Atty. Gen. Janet Reno allowed such tainted (and possibly illegal) evidence to be the basis for authorizing independent counsel Kenneth Starr’s petty investigation into Clinton’s personal life, especially when there is no evidence of major criminal activities.

By approving this fiasco, Reno has raised some legitimate concerns about her judgment, and one wonders whether she is truly competent to serve as attorney general.

GANESA MAHALINGAM

Monrovia

* I do not believe it is possible to have a president with high moral values in view of the vast amount of money that he must raise to get the office.

JOSEPH GRODSKY

Los Angeles