Pardoning Power

James Rogan’s myopic screed about the Clinton pardons willfully ignores the historical context that, if nothing else, might provide a little balance when examining a complicated issue (Commentary, March 16). The next time he ponders the pardon process, in print or otherwise, he would do well to recall the pardon of Armand Hammer (trading pardons for contributions) or the pardon of Caspar Weinberger (trading pardons for silence). But then, that would require him to apply the same lofty standard to Republican as well as Democratic presidents. Rogan’s bitter tone suggests he is incapable of the latter, and his hypocrisy is one of many reasons he is a “former” Republican congressman.

HARLEY PEYTON

Santa Monica