Sidney Blumenthal

Does journalist Christopher Hitchens realize why Linda Tripp has been so vilified in the news media and so despised by the public (“Prosecutors Push to Prolong Trial,” Feb. 9)? How does his betrayal of former friend and White House aide Sidney Blumenthal differ from Tripp’s betrayal of former friend and White House intern Monica Lewinsky?

More importantly, it is hard to believe that journalistic principles seem to be less important to Hitchens than expressing his hatred of President Clinton. Hopefully, his betrayal of a “source” will not have a chilling effect on the sources of other journalists. Certainly, if the government were attempting to compel him to divulge a source, Hitchens would recognize the importance of, and attempt to forcefully invoke, other journalistic principles and privileges embodied in the 1st Amendment.

KEN MORRISON

Tustin

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Re “Shredding the Ties That Bind Journalists,” Commentary, Feb. 9: Todd Gitlin speculates that part of what led to Hitchens’ revelations that Blumenthal had indeed spoken of Lewinsky as a “stalker” was left-wing fundamentalism. An interesting notion, but how about this speculation: Hitchens said it because it was the truth. Probably way too strange for someone of Gitlin’s caliber to imagine.

D.K. FERRIS

Keedysville, Md.

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Blumenthal learned the bitterest lesson life teaches: Only a friend can betray you.

TARJA BLACK

Lancaster