WIRED DEMOCRACY

Your report on electronic populism hits the bull's-eye: contemporary communications systems too easily accommodate everybody's reactions to everything [Jan. 23]. Senators cite percentages gleaned from phone and fax communications from the citizenry to prop up their points. The media don't help with their frequent telephone polls. It is high time we give our representatives some breathing space to legislate without constant reference to the whimsy of the popular opinions of the moment. Even if 50 million people say a foolish thing, it is still considered a foolish thing.

David M. Powers Briarcliff Manor, New York As an american living abroad, i can't agree with what Robert Wright wrote about the ``electronic dangers'' to American democracy. Using electronic communications is not against the intentions of the Founding Fathers, nor does their use create a substitute direct democracy. Discussion is the strength of democracy, and it is protected by the First Amendment. Increased discussion can not take the power of legislation out of the hands of the people's representatives.

Peter Zvagulis Munich

Don't call it hyperdemocracy. today's political scene is mobocracy, with the know-nothings of talk radio in charge. The Fairness Doctrine may give Americans some respite from the cheap, the vulgar, the mean and the ugly, and is our only hope.

Mildred P. Katz Manhattan, Kansas Some politicians are in touch with the people, and some are not. However, a hyperdemocracy is more of a good thing than a bad thing. The architects of the U.S. government wanted it to be of the people, by the people and for the people. Politicians like Newt Gingrich are trying to expand the involvement of the people in the process. If you close the government off, all you will get is a lot of social discord, and members of Congress will receive a one-way ticket right back to their home districts.

Lacey Rayner, age 15 Modesto, California Hyperdemocracy was an excellent article about an important issue of our time. Congress is becoming a poll-watching, poll-taking Babel, far from the independent deliberative body envisioned by the Founders. We are witnessing the decline of representative democracy to a level not unlike that of rabble-led assemblies in Revolutionary France.

Duane Robertson Orangevale, California

YELTSIN'S NASTY WAR

The russians are going to win the civil war in Chechnya [Jan. 23]. Interference by other countries would prolong the period before an inevitable Russian victory and cause more deaths.

John Q. Webb Derry, New Hampshire It is incredible that Western leaders could give a free hand to a state in its transition period by accepting Russia's wrongheaded policy. The West is playing the same wrong politics with Yeltsin's Russia as it played with Hitler's Germany before World War II.

T. Thaddeus Hutyra Antwerp, Belgium It's too late for yeltsin to learn any lessons. Before invading Chechnya, he should have remembered the Soviet defeat in Afghanistan and the fact that it took czarist armies nearly 50 years to subdue the Chechens in the mid-19th century. Yeltsin should seek a peaceful and humanitarian solution in Chechnya now. The Soviet invasion and defeat in Afghanistan led to the fall of the Soviet empire. Similarly, the invasion of Chechnya could eventually unravel the Russian Federation. Furthermore, the events in Chechnya raise serious questions about peace and stability in central and south Asia. Is the cold war really over?

Ahmed S. Kahn Lombard, Illinois

ALL IN THE NAME OF LOVE

You said princess diana is alleged to have dubbed Camilla Parker Bowles ``the Rottweiler'' [Jan. 23]. I take great umbrage at that. The Rottweiler breed is handsome, noble, intelligent, courageous and steadfastly loyal, and these dogs have an inherent desire to protect home and family. Puh-leeze, Diana. Do not bestow the regal title of Rottweiler on Camilla the Cow.

Lynn Goertzen Calgary, Canada

BADGE OF HONOR?

In response to the connie chung-Kathleen Gingrich incident in which Newt Gingrich's mother revealed he had called Hillary Clinton a ``bitch'' [Jan. 16], I believe bitch is a badge of honor. A woman should feel honored when the word is applied to her. It means she has been assertive and her efforts have not gone unnoticed.

Nancy L. Naugle Auburn, Alabama Bitch is an insult to hillary clinton, who is a brilliant, attractive and feminine First Lady.

Lucy Eerdmans Manchester, New Hampshire

A kinder, gentler image is not what the First Lady needs. A firm stance and a reply of ``I am bitch, hear me roar!'' is the ticket for dealing with her critics.

Ben Himes Chesterland, Ohio