Disinformation misses its mark
Melvin Maddocks's column ``The `disinformation' explosion,'' Oct. 10, causes us to reexamine the policies and politics of our leaders -- those who are given ample opportunity to express honesty rather than resorting to the temptation that ends justify means. Maddocks's question, ``Had the most powerful nation on earth exhausted all other alternatives before some overwhelming necessity of history forced it to resort to an elephant gun to attack a gnat?'' challenges today's Realpolitik and pointedly questions the conscionability of the administrations's disinclination to face up to this particular dishonesty. Paula Caracristi Sacramento, Calif.
Maddocks rightly chastises the US government for engaging in a Soviet-style dezinformatsiya campaign. It is disheartening that the White House made a mockery of the issue by implying that to fake the media in the good cause of confusing an enemy -- or perhaps to please a friend -- is all in a day's work. The American people deserve the truth. What makes the US great is a commitment to the sanctity of the individual, the inviolability of truth, the open and free exchange of ideas, and a government responsible to, not manipulative of, the people. Dennis R. Papazian Smithfield, Mich.
I read with great dismay the article ``White House Deception?'' [Oct. 3]. Qaddafi's horrendous record stands on its own without need for American embellishment. Our efforts to undermine Qaddafi's regime through blatant disinformation paints the US as a hysterical, obsessed nation. I shudder to think how Qaddafi's stature will be improved. Our only weapon against the appealing, easy lies of our enemies is truth. If we stoop to their level, we have lost everything. David M. King Amesbury, Mass.
Film is art In the article ``Are b&w film classics improved by `colorization'?'' [Oct. 10], writer Daniel B. Wood mentions Prof. Mark Dintenfass's view that `` . . . .part of the problem is commercial pressure exerted by an American public that doesn't value its art treasures. . . .'' Dintenfass is very perceptive; these same people are the ones that reject reading but haven't read anything since high school English, and who would reject an entire form of music after having heard one piece.
Films are works of art -- even if budget directors disagree more audibly. Any photographer would shudder to think what color would do to a superbly lit black and white photo. Robin Burns Elsah, Ill.
