Taking Responsibility ‘as a Man’

The article “Working the American System” (by Richard A. Serrano and Stephen Braun, April 29) was well done. Unfortunately, it showed what a wealthy, demanding father can do to politicians and clergy who are too easily influenced by money or persistence. What was done to release Carlos Vignali early from his jail sentence [for illegal drug distribution] could be viewed as corruption. Every one of the people pictured in the article who helped with Vignali’s pardon can be considered a shame to our country and legal system. If Vignali’s father truly wanted to do something good for his son, then he should have fully recognized his son as a man--a man who, on his own, made some bad decisions and should have experienced the consequences of his actions.

Dennis Rohn

San Clemente

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Machinations always will be attempted by the influential and desperate. True reform [of the criminal justice system] requires critically examining our system’s core problems--and not simply decrying favoritism that flourishes in the interstices of a defective structure.

Evan A. Jenness

Marina del Rey