More to it than simply ‘cheating’?

To the editor:

Sen. John Ensign, Gov. Mark Sanford, Gov. Eliot Spitzer, etc. The list, I'm sure, could go on.

Did they betray the public trust or just their personal vows ... which apparently "extends" to the public trust? You make that call.

In the view of a local female commentator, "These men couldn't keep their pants on." But that centers on the betrayal of their wives. When the doors are closed, however, what happens inside is very personal and private. So one does not really know what situation may have caused these men to go the route that they have taken.

If it's that bad, why not divorce? Again, one does not know the situation.

While I am not condoning their actions, one should take a step back and not immediately place all the blame on the "transgressor." Consider also that other factors may actually relieve some of the blame from the one who was "caught."

Harvey Goldstein

LAS VEGAS

Messenger shot

To the editor:

I read Jeffrey Smith's letter in Tuesday's edition berating columnist John L. Smith for "regurgitating Democratic Party talking points in bashing Republican Sen. John Ensign." Obviously the senator is one of Jeffrey Smith's heroes and he can't stand to see the man exposed. A classic case of "If you don't like the message, shoot the messenger."

Don Shirley

LAS VEGAS