Letters: Aug. 31, 1998

TICK, TOCK, TICK...TALK

Clinton has done remarkable things in his public life and some questionable things behind closed doors [SPECIAL REPORT, Aug. 10]. Perhaps the reason that the American people appreciate him and his polls rise with every scandal is that we see a bit of ourselves in him. It's heartening to know you can be imperfect and still make it to the top. TONY REICHENBERGER Madison, Wis.

Every male over the age of 13 has lied about his sex life, and I couldn't care less about Clinton's liaisons. It's not a matter of national importance, and it's none of our business. Investigators such as Ken Starr make McCarthyism look like child's play. It's frightening to see how our government is in peril because of a twentysomething twit. We are heading down a dangerous road with these investigations, and I hope our representatives realize that everyone can be subjected to this invasive process. ANNE M. CORE Sonoma, Calif.

How can we, the intelligent American people, allow a fame-and-fortune-seeking intern and the vulture-crazed press to degrade and disgrace our wonderful country with bedroom graffiti? EILEEN S. COLEMAN Pembroke Pines, Fla.

Clinton should be paid millions by the press. His entertainment value far surpasses that of the English royals. KNUT SUHR Hamburg, Germany

As a parent, I would hate to have government lawyers define a sexual relationship for my children! DEBORAH H. LARSEN Murray, Utah

I have never been more disgusted with the American legal system. No one should ever get immunity (especially in a case such as this) when testifying against the President of the United States. This is not some regular Joe Doe with a job. This is the man who occupies the most influential government seat in the world. ANNA MARIE ANGELONI Calabasas, Calif.

Of course, the man at the top should be a model citizen. But one must not go too far in judging a public man by his private life. Besides the risk of mak-ing ourselves ridiculous in giving too much importance to a commonplace matter, there is the terrible danger of sinking into extreme puritanism--that is fundamentalism. JEAN-PIERRE CAUSSE Sete, France

Bill Clinton is exactly what he was when we all first came to know of him. Does anyone recall Gennifer Flowers? What did we expect? The man is highly flawed and clearly captivated by power--but somewhere inside him, he is also a sincere and good leader. Yes, it's a very difficult paradox. BRUCE LANDRY Milford, N.H.

I'm sure someone is working on the movie script of what Clinton would like to call "the show about nothing." Now that the Seinfeld crew has finished with the series, I hope that Jason Alexander, the funny guy who played George Costanza, will volunteer to play Clinton. There are a lot of similarities in the two characters. A.B. LUISISTIDES Indian Rocks Beach, Fla.

Why all the praise for Ken Starr and his wooing and winning of Monica Lewinsky? Is it not possible that this whole thing was a setup from Day One by a very clever female? Lewinsky's moves are impeccable. I wonder if she's available to coach the Chicago Bears. CAROL O'HERN Palatine, Ill.

Enough about Bill and Monica. A matchmaker's dream is Ken (Starr) and Linda (Tripp). They deserve each other. JIM BOLIN Shreveport, La.