Two Plame views

Re “Sources of Much Dismay” [by Tim Rutten, Oct. 9]: I don’t think I’m going out on a limb by pointing out that calling the Valerie Plame affair (and all of its twisted, judiciary whatnot) “the Bush administration’s war against the press” is like calling the Monica Lewinsky affair (and all of its twisted, judiciary whatnot) “the Clinton administration’s war against adultery.” You can’t have it both ways. The subject of the investigation cannot be held accountable for the way in which the investigation is carried out, most especially if the investigation is led by a special prosecutor.

If you think otherwise, at least be consistent about it. For if you applied your condemnation elsewhere, we’d all have a different view of Kenneth Starr and Bill Clinton. And that would be just plain wrong.

Brian Bobek

Chicago