10/25/98

Dear Mr. Starr:

In the 1970's and 1980's I was a special education teacher in Metropolitan Atlanta school systems. My students all had severe behavior disorders and emotional disturbances. I created a structured environment and a few basic ground rules in which many of them thrived and went on to become productive adults. I insisted that we separate behaviors from person hood and never make a personal attack in an effort to change a behavior or existing condition.

1. We were each expected to be responsible for our own behavior.
2. We each were responsible to treat everyone else with respect.
3. I strongly reinforced appropriate behavior.

Now that I am working with adults as a consultant in the commercial and government sectors, I find the same principles work. I would like to ask you to consider these three points in light of your approach to investigating President Clinton, our national leader, and his actions.

You have done a more than thorough investigation, it has been determined that there were wrongs committed. Now it is past time to move on to the next step. We seem to be stuck wallowing in the mire. President Clinton has repeatedly proven himself to be a capable national leader. His personal actions do not void his abilities.

Please stop, step back, and ask yourself: 1. Is what I am doing now doing anything at all to contribute to the American way of life? 2. Is there even a light chance I am acting primarily to bring down a man that I disagree with? 3.What have I done to preserve basic human rights?

Immigrants tell me they come to America for the sake of their children, for their children's education, and for freedom from persecution. I fear that the handling of this investigation mixed with the current prosecutorial wave/mindset of keeping criminals locked into the criminal system is quickly eroding our very human rights. I fear for what my grandchildren face if we continue the kind of tactics now being used.

Thank you ahead of time for setting aside your own personal desires and looking out over the precipice upon which you are standing.