Letters: Jun. 30, 1997

(4 of 5)

Why would any mature workingwoman feel that her reputation is damaged when she is propositioned [NATION, June 9]? All she has to do is say no and forget it. RUTH J. SMOCK Silver Spring, Md.

I don't question Paula Jones' right to sue the President while he is in office; I question her right to sue any citizen on such unprovable charges. It would be nice to find just one Anita Hill or Paula Jones who realized the gravity of the wrong done to her and sought redress before her "torturer" achieved national prominence. "Within 24 hours" would be a more appropriate standard than "within earshot of 24 microphones." LANE FILLER Columbia, S.C.

Unless you are a confirmed Clinton fanatic, you would agree that Paula Jones is entitled to her day in court. If Clinton makes an out-of-court settlement with Jones, he is to all intents and purposes making an admission of guilt. If Clinton is innocent of the charges, he should look forward to facing Jones in court and proving that he is the Divine Being the media continually make him out to be. HOPE BRYSON Los Angeles

As a foreigner working in the U.S., I am dismayed by the public attention paid to sleazy, tabloid-level events and issues. I disagree with the Supreme Court ruling that Clinton can be taken to trial. The President should be immune to relatively insignificant accusations of liability. I suggest that a referendum be held to nullify the court ruling. TAIMUR MUSTAFA Houston

This media frenzy about Clinton and Paula Jones is beyond out of control. BRAM COHEN Ile Bizard, Que.

SORRY, WRONG NUMBER

Daniel Kadlec's premise that "break-ups almost always are more valuable than megamergers" may be true for the investor [BUSINESS, June 9]. What he fails to factor into the equation is the effect on the total populace. My phone service has deteriorated, I still have no local competition, and my cost has skyrocketed. As for me and my house, bring back "One Bell System that works." MAURICE E. CORBIN III Columbia Station, Ohio

NOWHERE TO RUN

Why do people continue to live on floodplains of big rivers and then wonder why they get flooded out year after year [NATION, June 9]? And why don't people living in areas most prone to tornadoes have basements in their homes? Cellars would not only help save their lives but also give them temporary shelter while rebuilding. Have these people lost all common sense? KENNETH O'NEILL Danbury, Conn.

Living in southeast Florida, where hurricanes and tornadoes are pretty common in summer, I understand the fear of knowing you might be the next target. What I don't understand is why geodesic-dome homes are not more common in the Southeast and in "tornado alleys" in the Midwest. A company that puts out a kit guarantees its domes against tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes and winds of as much as 300 m.p.h. Geodesic domes may not be as pretty as your typical farmhouse or beach cottage, but they would definitely outlast them. LAURELLE BALOG West Palm Beach, Fla.

THE GREAT CODE

It is hard to believe that anyone would take seriously Michael Drosnin's conveniently convoluted computerized version of the Bible [RELIGION, June 9]. It's the cyber equivalent of finding Elvis' face on a potato. By turning the Bible into a contemporary horoscope, Drosnin trivializes it and cheapens himself. ISAAC STEVEN HERSCHKOPF New York City