Echoes of a ‘gotcha’ slip

Tim RUTTEN’S column regarding the overblown Richard Riordan “gotcha” news incident was dead on (“Riordan Stung by ‘Gotcha’ News,” July 10). Rutten seems willing to stand up for Riordan because he knew him personally and feels his comment was very likely just a mistake and not indicative of anything deeper. However, others in similar situations deserve the same benefit of the doubt. We walk down a very slippery slope when we start instantly demonizing people who make mistakes in their choice of language. Nine times out of 10, the person just made a mistake and there is no deep character flaw at work.

Ron Ognar

Venice

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Excusing Riordan’s crude and cruel remark to a young child because he is a man of “a certain age” and routinely uses “kidding as an acceptable way to show affection for children” does not hold water. I am older than Riordan and I like children and enjoy kidding as much as anyone, but I would never use insulting or derogatory expressions in joshing with a child. Riordan may be a superb executive who justifies Gov. Schwarzenegger’s confidence in him, but for goodness sake, keep him away from the children.

Eugene N. Torgow

Northridge