Larry Flynt

The “real obscenity” of James Pinkerton’s Dec. 23 column (“Hustler, the White House’s Newest Ally”) is the hypocrisy contained within it. What about the obscene amounts of money spent by independent counsel Kenneth Starr in his search for smut against the president? At least Larry Flynt isn’t hiding behind the Bible while he’s doing it.

Individuals have always affected the political process with their own money. Nowhere in the column did Pinkerton mention the amount of money spent by Richard Mellon Scaife to bring down this presidency, or the amount of money spent by Ross Perot and Steve Forbes in trying to influence the political process. Pinkerton is just upset that Flynt is spending money for anti-Republican causes.

RUSSELL GECK

Glendale

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Hypocrisy is such a subjective idea, maybe we can attach a number to it. Try this: Take the number of times that Republicans have claimed moral superiority and divide that by the amount of money that they take from the tobacco industry. Pinkerton, speaking on behalf of the Republican Party, may come up with too low of a figure to criticize Hustler magazine.

DAVID L. EASTMAN

Costa Mesa

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Let’s see now, Clinton and Flynt working together to make America a better place? The Democrats have really sunk low in defense of this guy! The slimier he is proven to be, the higher his polls go. And the sad part is that any bozo can govern by poll and hand out goodies to keep his constituents happy. What’s wrong with you 70%? Shouldn’t you want a president with integrity, principle and original vision? Allowing a lying, cheating, unprincipled public opinion panderer who has broken the law to remain in office makes no sense. We’ve been hustled.

DAVID C. HALL

Glendora

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J. Edgar Flynt?

E.P. MACUS

South Pasadena

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If Flynt continues his million-dollar offer long enough, the majority of the House and Senate will eventually be composed of women--it’ll be impossible to find enough men who haven’t cheated on their wives.

GLENDA KENT

Lomita

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Whether led by a Flynt or a Starr, investigating a person’s private life is wrong. Resignation is not the answer, as it grants legitimacy to politicized invasions of privacy which should be resisted and disallowed. The win-at-any-cost, search-and-destroy political mentality, evidenced in Starr’s investigation and in its aftermath, victimizes us all and must end.

WILLIAM F. HESSELL

Culver City

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The tactics of the Republicans in alliance with the religious right and Starr have, in fact, empowered Flynt to bring down many, if not most, of our elected representatives. Congratulations!

And now they cry “foul!”

RUTH CAIRNS

Cambria

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Now we know what the D.C. stands for in Washington: Disgusting Cesspool.

CHARLES T. NEWTON

Del Mar