(3 of 5)
Clinton has disappointed me, Starr has angered me, Tripp has disgusted me, and Lewinsky has embarrassed me, but it took Charles Krauthammer to really tick me off [ESSAY, Sept. 28]. His commentary "Clinton's Pyrrhic Victory" implies that the two-thirds of the American public who support Clinton are mindless sheep, being pushed willy-nilly by pollsters and incapable of independent judgment. Bill Clinton has not somehow won me over with lies and manipulation; I never thought his personal character was without blemish. What he has done is the job we chose him to do, and overall he's done it superbly. Despite what Krauthammer says, Clinton's victory may turn out to be less Pyrrhic than Pyrex--long-lasting and heat-proof. HILDA GRANT JONES Hallowell, Maine
HILLARY IS SENDING A MESSAGE
In a sense Hillary Clinton sets a standard, dictating how modern American women will be expected to behave in circumstances similar to hers. If she stays with Bill Clinton, she sends a message that it's normal for men in power to chase girls and that it's proper to stand by your husband regardless of his lies. By staying, Hillary indicates that women should put up with the kind of contempt Clinton has shown. Leaving would demonstrate that women are no longer willing to be married to self-obsessed little boys who don't know how to keep their pants zipped up. LETITIA MEYNELL London, Ont.
COMPARING CLINTON TO LINCOLN
Mindful of Clinton's image in presidential history, I offer this view of how he will be remembered alongside Abraham Lincoln in American history books: Lincoln is forever celebrated for his Gettysburg Address; Clinton will be forever linked to the Lewinsky dress. Lincoln was the Great Emancipator; Clinton will be the Great Prevaricator. When we think of Lincoln, the phrase "Honest Abe" comes to mind; for Clinton, it will be "Honestly, Bill!" PETER DZWONKOSKI Rochester, N.Y.
FRASIER IS A RARE SHOW
How can James Collins even question the merits of Frasier [TELEVISION, Sept. 28]? Record-breaking Emmy history is pretty reliable evidence that this show is a rare species and one that, I hope, will thrive for a long, long time. There's very little on TV that impresses me, but I'll put the pedal to the metal to get home in time to see Frasier. The characters are eccentric and complex, the actors superb, the writers the wittiest bunch ever called into service in TV land, and each episode is more brilliantly structured than the last. I think there should be no question about this show's ability to crush every upstart and retread for five seasons running. Survival of the fittest, I'd say. HOLLIS ASHBY Pacifica, Calif.
MUSLIM POLITICAL ACTIVISM