LETTERS: CHARGES MUST BE THOROUGHLY AIRED

To the editor:

Like the majority of other Americans, I am already very tired of the coverage of the impeachment trial of William Jefferson Clinton, although not as tired of it as he is, I imagine. However, I am also very concerned about the possible outcome should President Clinton be allowed to get away with the possible crimes of perjury and obstructions of justice. The man's sex life is not on trial. His honor and integrity are -- his honor in the matter of perjury and his integrity in the matter of obstruction of justice. And how can the Senate truly discern the seriousness of these crimes, whether they were committed or not, if they do not question the witnesses involved in the case? Thanks to modern technology, he was caught lying under oath on tape. But is it serious enough for punishment?

Both sides of the argument have been represented through the news media, though the media seem to favor Clinton's side.

In Clinton's defense, there is the argument that because the lie under oath concerned Clinton's sex life -- his private life -- and was not an official matter, it doesn't count as perjury and, therefore, is not an impeachable offense. By the same token, the fact that he and those under his command made attempts to convince others involved to lie under oath as well was not truly obstruction of justice, since he was just trying to protect his private life. Even if the stories are true that the IRS had been used to try to manipulate and intimidate witnesses, he was still trying to protect his private life.

Then there is the other side of the argument, which states that lying under oath is perjury no matter what the subject matter, and manipulating and intimidating witnesses to lie for one's cause is not acceptable behavior, especially when using the power of a government office has been entrusted to the same person.

My concern is the possible precedent that could be set for our judicial system and our government should the leader of our nation be allowed to get away with such behavior without a truly fair trial. The fact that the man does not know the meaning of the word "fidelity" concerning his marriage does not come into play in this impeachment trial. It is the question of whether or not he places a high value on truth under oath. It is the question of whether he views his position as president as free license to coerce others for his own means and to use government offices for his own private vendettas. Were government offices that were designed to protect citizens of the United States used to intimidate and coerce citizens to also lie under oath? If so, dictators use this type of tactics.

Should the Senate decide that lying under oath is not worth punishing the president, when lowlier citizens are even now serving time for the same crime, and the allow him to continue with no consequences, then no citizen of this country should be punished for lying under oath. If that becomes true, there is little hope of ever bringing anyone to justice anymore. There would no longer be an incentive to get witnesses to tell the truth is lying under oath is not longer considered a crime worth punishing. And everyone who has been convicted for perjury and is spending time behind bars for it surely would have to be released.

Also, anyone should be allowed to get away with tampering with witnesses and obstructing justice. The president has very possibly set a new standard. All anyone has to do is prove their personal interests or private lives were at stake. Sound ridiculous? Perhaps, but if the president can get away with that argument, you can bet others will try.

Our judicial system as we know it could very well be at stake. Just because this man holds the office of president does not mean he is above the laws everyone else must abide by as dictators believe they are. But how can there be a fair trial without witnesses being questioned to discover what the truth of the matter really is? So even if we are tired of the coverage of the impeachment trial, let us not be deceived into doubting the seriousness of the charges against the president and the possible consequences for our country's future if every effort is not made by the Senate to discover the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and then to see that true justice is served.

TERRI ROGERS TATE

Jackson