‘View From the Library’--a Response

“Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?” The macabre one-liner came to mind as I read the July 17 article “Forgive and Forget?” on the creeping rehabilitation of Richard Nixon.

I admire the man’s foreign policy acumen. I would love to forgive and forget, if only for my own peace of mind. The crux of Wategate was not a sordid political trick but Nixon’s attitude quoted in the article: “When the President does it, that means that it is not illegal.”

That was the danger to the Republic. Our rule of law, Constitution and code, says that no one--not even the President--is above the law. That is what the impeachment proceedings were about; that is why Nixon’s resignation was so important.

For the political health of the nation, Nixon’s threat to that principle must never be forgiven or forgotten. The man? Perhaps, someday--I hope.

MARK SHIER

Fullerton