I disagree with Leslie Small's statement that we have "no right" to judge politicians by how they conduct their private lives in her column, "Leave cheating politicians, wives alone (Sept. 2)." If a person lies and deceives the people he is closest to, how can we expect him to honestly and nobly conduct national and international relations? John Edwards' disgusting affair revealed his personal values: not of family, trust and loyalty, but of deception and disrespect. It should be of no surprise then that he practiced these values in the social realm, as well.

As proper citizens, we have a responsibility to vote for the individual who is honest and principled. To determine whether a candidate possesses these qualities, we must look further than his political activities to see what he is really like when the cameras are not following him. If we do not do so, the future of our nation will be at risk.

Rituparna Basu

sophomore-biology