Letter: In 1974, lying was big deal

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 1998 | 2:43 a.m.

One of these items to be considered stands out very clearly in my mind -- the fact that the president lied to the American people in denying his knowledge of that third-rate burglary known as Watergate.

In her role as a member of that legal counsel, Hillary Rodham Clinton was instrumental in specifically enumerating the specific charge of lying to the American people in their case against Nixon, and it was her opinion that that charge was of paramount importance.

In other words, Nixon betrayed the trust of the American people and it wasn't the act of the third-rate burglary -- it was the lie that he told in an effort to cover it up.

Now we have the admission of President Clinton's involvement in a third-rate sex escapade. The same principle applies as in the Nixon case -- Clinton lied to the American people in denying his knowledge of this third-rate sex escapade known as Monicagate.

In other words, it isn't the act of the sexcapade that is grounds for an impeachment inquiry -- it is the lie he told to the American people in an effort to cover it up.

Obviously, Hillary does not deem "lying to the American people" an impeachable offense when it's her husband doing the lying.

Nancy McKay