Letters

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Congratulations on Margaret Carlson's excellent analysis of Bill Clinton's loss of influence in our national political process [PUBLIC EYE, Nov. 18]. Although Al Gore's potential power is uncertain, his distancing himself in 2000 from the former President shows that Gore had more wisdom than did many of this year's Democratic candidates. Old Clinton allies and some of the media are tired of justifying Clinton's unsavory conduct.
TOM ARON
Longmont, Colo.

In drawing a distinction between Clinton and Bush, Carlson stated, "Clinton revered ceos; they now appear regularly in televised perp walks." Is she serious? Has she ever heard of Enron chairman Kenneth Lay and his long-standing, cozy relationship with Dubya? The Bush Administration reveres CEOs and corporate America more than any prior Administration. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney have permitted the corporate heads of the energy industry to secretly influence government policy in that area and to date have refused oversight requests for accountability. During the Clinton Administration, this behavior was called scandalous.
RICHARD IAN DERFLER
Wyckoff, N.J.

Cutting-Edge Creations

Re your report on the coolest inventions of the year [Nov. 18]: Many of the inventions employ digital electronics with no outward sign of a complicated computer. These inventions will help us build products that will improve the quality of life without too much technological complexity.
BUCK KULKARNI
White Plains, N.Y.

I was astonished by the story about the vaccine made from freeze-dried tomato juice that comes from fruit carrying a gene from a strain of the E. coli bacterium. This vaccine can fight off diarrheal diseases. I didn't realize such a thing was possible. I'm glad to know there are scientists trying to find better ways to combat disease in impoverished Third World countries.
Maria Mamah
Union Springs, N.Y.

Hooked on Shoplifting

The publicity surrounding actress Winona Ryder's shoplifting trial should help educate people about the emotional, psychological and addictive aspects of shoplifting [BEHAVIOR, Nov. 18]. As a recovering shoplifter, I have never made excuses or denied responsibility for my shoplifting but, rather, sought therapeutic help. I eventually discovered that I was addicted to shoplifting and felt very ashamed. In 1992 I founded Cleptomaniacs and Shoplifters Anonymous. I found the help I needed, as have more than 600 people who have attended our weekly group meetings. One out of every 11 people shoplifts, and most do it not out of need or greed but because of underlying issues or addictive patterns. There is help on our website at www.shopliftersanonymous.com.
TERRENCE SHULMAN
Southfield, Mich.

Why must celebrities be excused for everything? Some people seem to think that Ryder should not be punished but simply understood. Come on! When will these people accept responsibility for their wrongdoing? If Ryder's filching of clothing is excusable, the same kind of justice should be available to everyone, not just movie stars and people with money.
GERARDO JIMENEZ
Pittsburgh, Pa.