House ethics and oxymorons

Re “Ethics panel faults GOP leaders in Foley case,” Dec. 9

No sanctions for House leaders in the Mark Foley scandal? Representatives were concerned about protecting the fact that Rep. Foley (R-Fla.) was a homosexual? Since when does the majority of Congress worry about homosexual rights? Does the Ethics Committee truly believe that Americans are that naive?

Members of Congress are the ultimate role models for American citizens. If they can’t own up to their mistakes, who should? If the House Ethics Committee refuses to hold anyone accountable for covering up these acts of child abuse, I hope that the voters will.

BRONWYN SCHRECKER JAMROK

Culver City

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So the House Ethics Committee has determined that “there is some evidence that political considerations played a role” in the Republicans’ despicable inaction regarding Foley’s predatory behavior. And yet, despite ample evidence that Foley’s compadres knew what he was up to for more than a decade, the committee also determined that there was no “systematic” cover-up and, because there were no rules violations, outgoing House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (D-Ill.) and his many cronies won’t be subject to sanctions, censure, expulsion or any punishment whatsoever. Is it any wonder that so many Americans mistrust our elected officials?

On the other hand, we’d be fools to expect anything more when an exclusive club like the House of Representatives is entrusted with the task of investigating itself.

SAM GRAHAM

Los Angeles