Gen Edwin Meese Iii

We applaud President Reagan's refusal to order Vice Adm. John Poindexter and Lt. Col. Oliver North to waive their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination. We wonder, did Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III advise these suspects that their continued silence makes whatever story they ultimately tell less believable? MARGARET LENNON RICHARD TOM Los Angeles

Former Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III on Wednesday denounced Iran-Contra investigations by independent counsel Lawrence E. Walsh and special congressional committees as "massive overkill" about mistakes that already have been corrected. In a breakfast meeting with reporters, Meese referred unfavorably to "the millions of dollars spent on this thing." He said Walsh's operation, which is concluding its prosecution of former White House aide Oliver L. North, has probably cost more than government investigations of major Mafia figures.

Regarding President Reagan's statement that he would only ask Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III to resign if Meese should undergo "a complete change of character" (Part I, April 28): It seems to me that if that were to occur then the attorney general would no longer need to resign. JOHN STEVENS Carlsbad

Oliver L. North testified today that he assumed a cover-up was in place when then-Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III announced on Nov. 25, 1986, that North was the pivotal figure in diverting Iran arms sales money to the Nicaraguan rebels. Ending four days of grueling cross-examination, prosecutor John W. Keker rested his case after North said that Meese gave reporters details of the arms shipments and diversion that were "inconsistent with what I had told the attorney general two days before."

In trying to detract attention from Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III, the Republicans are trying to scrounge up something against the Democrats. Wright's use of the condominium was not included in the charges, undoubtedly because it might attract attention to President Reagan's $2.5-million mansion, making Wright's alleged offenses pale in comparison. ASHLEY MELLINE Panorama City

U.S. Attorney Bonner goes his boss, Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III, one better in suggesting only those who can afford it are entitled to protection of the Sixth Amendment and a litmus test for the lawyers of those who can't. LOUIS M. ST. MARTIN Pomona

Just as the rest of the Justice Department is attempting to meet Gramm-Rudman cutbacks, "largely through department-wide travel cuts" (Times, Feb. 6), displaying his usual unpropitious timing, Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III announces his forthcoming world trip. The Justice Department spokesman "stressed that the trip is being carefully scrutinized from an economic standpoint." Have they looked into sending him Air Freight? JOE D. ROSSETTI Beverly Hills

First (former White House spokesman) Larry Speakes writes a book disclosing that he made up quotes for President Reagan. Then (former Chief of Staff) Don Regan writes a book letting us know that the President's schedule was based on astrology. I can hardly wait to read what Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III discloses when he writes his book! LINDA MOSE Sherman Oaks

Thank you for your editorial about the chopping down of William Bradford Reynolds' nomination by the Senate Judiciary Committee. To one of Reagan's most formidable hatchet men, who has attempted to dismember many of the civil rights laws fought so hard for, I can only say: "Good riddance!" And as to Reynold's buddy and staunch supporter in "justice," the No. 1 civil rights thug, Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III, as he attempts to make his way to the Big Bench, I have a message for our dottering but honest U.S. Supreme Court justices: "Hang in there."

After listening and watching most of the proceedings over the last two months (I work at home), the truth of what happened became crystal clear to me. Ollie is a good, if not over-achieving Marine cannon. Poindexter is a brilliant and loyal officer. Casey was the loose cannon. Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III didn't really understand the significance of what was happening. And last, but not least, Reagan made all of the basic decisions and approved of the whole deal--including the diversion of funds.

Gary L. McDowell's love letter to Ed Meese both fascinated and outraged me (" 'Ed the Ordinary' Made a Difference," Op-Ed Page, July 25). It's fascinating to see what wearing blinders does for the vision. It's outrageous to think that some people might take stock in what McDowell's saying. Loyalty is to be commended, and it's obvious that Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III is Ronald Reagan's soul-mate. "Liberals," that new and somehow dirty word, which apparently represents anyone with whom McDowell disagrees, fear both men. And for good reason.

In defending Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III, Paul Craig Roberts missed the point as to why Meese has been criticized, as well as why independent counsels are used ("Hounded From Office: Now Meese Falls to Left Wing's Criminalization of Differences," Op-Ed Page, July 6). James C. McKay stated in his report that "there is no basis for criminal proceedings." That is all we know about the 830-page report that took 14 months to complete. Whether Meese is guilty of any misconduct unworthy of prosecution will not be known until the report is released.

In trying to detract attention from Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III, the Republicans are trying to scrounge up something against the Democrats. Wright's use of the condominium was not included in the charges, undoubtedly because it might attract attention to President Reagan's $2.5-million mansion, making Wright's alleged offenses pale in comparison. ASHLEY MELLINE Panorama City

I fail to understand the pressure to oust Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III or to force him to resign before he has been indicted for any wrongdoing. Why the rush? Are his detractors afraid he will be found innocent and it will be too late? After all, he is not being suspected of murder, only of possible conflict of interest. The only thing Meese is guilty of is trying to rid the country of sleazy people with prurient interests who prey on our society, and particularly our children, with drugs, pornography, deviate life styles, vulgarity and plain trash.

First (former White House spokesman) Larry Speakes writes a book disclosing that he made up quotes for President Reagan. Then (former Chief of Staff) Don Regan writes a book letting us know that the President's schedule was based on astrology. I can hardly wait to read what Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III discloses when he writes his book! LINDA MOSE Sherman Oaks

Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III should resign at once! The independent counsel told us that he did not have enough evidence to indict the attorney general concerning the his problems with the "Baby Bell" stock deal and Iraqi pipeline memo (Part I, April 2). Meese crows that he's clean, not guilty, etc. completely missing the point that his continued tenure as the highest law enforcement officer in the land is not being judged by his guilt or innocence, but rather on his competence, judgmental ability and integrity.

The Times reports (July 25) that, according to Justice Department sources, Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III has no role in, and has taken himself out of the case involving Teamster President Jackie Presser. What utter nonsense! That's like an army general announcing that he is not going to concern himself with his subordinate troops involved in combat with the enemy. Does anyone honestly believe that Meese's subordinates are going to make a decision in the Presser case to which Meese would have serious objection?

So Archbishop Mahony is at it again. Together with our embarrassing county Board of Supervisors they have all linked halos in a religious crusade against X-rated videotapes. Will this sort of thing never end? The public with its huge and ever increasing rental of these tapes has spoken. Let the people have their fun in the privacy of their own homes and get on with something important. Not content with this latest fervid attack on "sex," our supervisors passed a resolution asking U.S. Atty.