Washington Scandals

Watergate, Iran-Contragate and Monicagate: It’s natural to make comparisons between these scandals involving contemporary presidents. Dinesh D’Souza’s Feb. 7 column (Commentary) attempts to redeem Ronald Reagan from Iran-Contra by claiming he came clean, while at the same time vilifying Bill Clinton because he didn’t. Despite his efforts, even bringing in John Wayne vs. the “Indians,” D’Souza makes no case supporting his belief.

You may or may not like Clinton or Reagan but they both have a scandal ending with “gate.” One involves the illegal selling of arms to an enemy and illegally engaging in terrorist activity against Nicaragua, resulting in the deaths of up to 20,000 innocent people. The other involves a consensual act of sex. Americans know the difference.

BOB STROH

Fillmore

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Let me get this straight. The Senate is judging, against current standards, the question of whether the behavior of Clinton has seriously diminished the office of the presidency--standards of behavior that have become acceptable only during his terms in office and largely because of his behavior.

JOE GRAETCH

Santa Barbara

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There was much partisanship displayed in this impeachment trial. The Democrats were defending their party chief while the Republican cause was to defend our most precious document: the Constitution.

RAY ACKERMAN

Los Angeles

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The Republicans ask, what kind of message is this for our children? Maybe the message is, don’t bother to vote because it doesn’t make any difference.

RUTH HOLT

Oxnard

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To Rep. Henry Hyde and all the House managers: On your way out please close the door!

ED DONCHEY

Orange

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Stephen Gillers (Opinion, Feb. 7) is quite mistaken when he implies that Kenneth Starr, a man whose hatred of Clinton is matched only by his obsessiveness and lack of judgment, does not elicit fear. Many of us are scared to death of Starr, as indeed we would be of anyone who combines his awesome power with his unbridled malevolence.

ROBERT L. SACHS

Newport Beach

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Sen. Barbara Boxer was quoted, “If [Starr] has a conscience he should [resign] in a minute” (Feb. 2). If Clinton had a conscience or even cared about our country, he would have resigned months ago.

IRENE J. FORTIER

Mission Viejo

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Re Mike Downey’s Feb. 7 column, “Leave St. Chelsea Alone!”: If the American public is sick and tired of zippergate, why can’t I find a copy of People magazine at the checkout counter?

LARRY BRIGGS

Twentynine Palms