Media’s Role in Scandal

In response to your Sept. 19 article that explored the question of whether “the media has damaged the public dialogue by pushing too far into the private lives of elected officials,” of course they have. With a few exceptions, the print and broadcast media have done everything possible to wring the last ounce of scandal out of the Starr investigation of the Clinton affair. It’s a disgrace that once-reputable media organizations have lowered themselves to tabloid-type reporting.

But, having done it for one, let’s do it for all. Let’s have the details on the affairs of Reps. Dan Burton, Helen Chenoweth and Henry Hyde and anyone else in Washington who has had an extramarital affair. Let’s get it all out in the open so the public can establish its own benchmark for what is acceptable behavior by elected officials. Let’s see who is pure enough to “cast the first stone.”

Quite frankly, I think President Clinton has acted badly but so have many others, including the media.

CHARLES DOHERTY

Hermosa Beach

* I realize there are differences between the indiscretions of Presidents Nixon and Clinton, but I see at least four similarities. Both made serious mistakes, lied about them, engaged in massive cover-up efforts and were badly hurt by tapes. Let’s hope President Clinton does the country a big favor and gives us a fifth similarity by resigning--and the sooner the better.

ELTON BARNETT

Palos Verdes Estates

* What kind of a father would expose his daughter to what we have been living through for these many months? It was not necessary to continue this investigation with its salacious details.

I am a Democrat who voted for Clinton twice. Nevertheless I cannot stomach his actions. Despite the obvious odious actions, he still continues to fight for his hold on power even at the expense of his own family. An honorable man would resign to spare his family.

EVE GARVIN

Beverly Hills

* Wake me up when this ghastly media nightmare is over. Until then, I’m turning my television set off and relying on reputable newspapers for my information. In that regard, thank you for Richard Rosenfeld’s Sept. 18 commentary on the Founding Fathers’ decision concerning Alexander Hamilton and the separation of the responsibilities of public office and the political exploitation of sexual privacy.

Bill Clinton is one of the hardest working presidents ever. He has more than earned his salary. If he needs to grow up, so does the TV news industry. The effect they have on the image of this country is disastrous. Whatever happened to Walter Cronkite?

GLADYS ROBY

Hemet