Clinton Scandal

While I applaud your editorial (“A Nation Shortchanged,” March 18), I would suggest that the Supreme Court reverse its ruling that a civil case against any president should go forward while he is serving. If you read the transcript of the justices’ queries to the attorneys bringing the case, you will see that the tenor of the questions were primarily on time. The justices did not seem to give any weight to the potential harm that is (obviously) done by never-ending innuendos.

SEYMOUR I. NEUMAN

Beverly Hills

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I agree in part with your editorial that the president “has been the prime mover in creating the mess he now finds himself in.”

However, the Supreme Court’s decision was not a “lack of foresight.” That decision was the correct one because it upheld the rights of Paula Jones to sue and simply focused on the constitutional concept that the president is, under the law, equal to every other citizen and not entitled to a postponement of a trial.

JIM FRIERY

Van Nuys

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The nation is, indeed, being shortchanged, but more by the news media than by President Clinton. Yes, Clinton created his own mess and now the media are wallowing in it. This matter is being so sensationalized that the media, rather than Clinton, are embarrassing the U.S. in the eyes of the world.

DAVID REYNOLDS

Los Angeles