READERS: TODAY'S STARS, LEADERS NO EXAMPLES.

A package of stories Sunday about the scandals resonating in the world of sports, politics, religion and entertainment raised questions about today's morality, and whether America has lost its way. Here are some of your responses:

Being responsible

Referring to today's moral dilemmas in terms of "our moral compass" assumes a collective responsibility, that we are somehow responsible for the misdeeds and actions of public figures.

When I was young, we were taught to take personal responsibility for our actions, and not blame others. Did we make mistakes and do stupid things? Absolutely. Anyone who claims otherwise is either a saint or in total denial. The main difference between today and then seems to be that we took the consequences for what we did, tried to learn from our mistakes, and do something to change patterns of irresponsibility.

The "mature" adults being singled out today must bear full responsibility for themselves, and have no real excuses to evade the consequences. The young celebutantes so frequently in the headlines need to learn how to channel their actions into more productive adult lives. It seems apparent that, somewhere in their growing up years, the adults in their lives failed to teach them the principles of personal responsibility.

Rewriting, or reinterpreting, existing laws punishing criminal or negligent behavior does not solve existing problems. Enforcement of those laws without bias for celebrity should be the rule.

-- Ellie Doud

Van Nuys

Telling the truth

I want to compliment you on your column. It was well thought out, insightful, full dimensional and truthful. I hope others see it that way.

-- Phil Powell

Thousand Oaks 

Right vs. wrong

Our young people are being exposed to people in authority and the entertainment world who do not deserve to be in print or shown on television. However, you must agree that print sells and female dogs having sex on television -- Pamela Anderson and Paris Hilton come to mind -- earn money for the producers. I am old enough to be shocked by the happenings of this day and age. There is absolutely no shame in today's world. How can we change behavior when they learn from politicians and "actors" right from wrong? The parents are enablers by their absence and silence.

-- Vivian C. Nelson

Long Beach

Seeking forgiveness

As a lay minister who went through the Victory Outreach School of Ministry, I gasped when the mayor mentioned forgiveness. Did he forgive people when he had Javier NuIllegal 'X-value' for character STYLs voided here ez resign from a commission for not supporting him for mayor or had Mr. Valenzuela from Boyle Heights working with Mr. Graves to terminate staff who didn't support him because they knew his playboy character and little respect he has for the daughters and mothers of our community. We stood on our ethical ground and under the table he came after all of them.

Forgiveness is an easy word to say but very hard to follow and these are Latino leaders. Valley Latinos will stand their ground on moral and ethical character on all our elected officials and their responsibilities to our city and their families without fear of retribution.

-- Steven Martinez

North Hills

Hungry for honor

As American society spirals further into consumerism, our moral compass fades quickly. We have conditioned ourselves to elevate our needs and wants over the needs of others. We have become gluttons, not only of biological content but emotional, spiritual and psychological as well.

Mayor Villaraigosa was not satisfied with the full plate in his home, seeking to expand his appetite, as most men do these days, with the delicacies of what he saw as a meal worthy of his newfound status within society.

Cardinal Mahony feels that the post-event apology seasoned with monetary compensation can provide the church its "indulgence."

We have given rise to celebrities to the level of idols that must be worshipped even when their deeds are evil. We are quick to forgive and accept their weaknesses since we have our own weaknesses.

It is sad that we will devour this nation through our biological, emotional, spiritual and psychological gluttony. We will be fed, we will be satisfied, we will be self-righteous, we will not tolerate any signs that raise themselves from within the darkness to tell us that we are (on) the wrong path, and finally we will suffer the consequences if we don't repent.

-- Alex Olmedo 

Winnetka

No more excuses

Have we lost our moral compass? Absolutely! There has been too many years of, do your own thing; if it feels good, do it. It has been years of creating your own reality and no moral absolutes. People have made behavioral choices without having consequences. It has been popular for people to have high self-esteem. Now their self-esteem is so high they have no regard for themselves, let alone another person. Sometimes we need for our moral compass to get lost. It finally wakes us up when there is so much moral misconduct. For years, excuses are made regarding bad moral decisions. These people are allowed to go their way without consequences and they get bolder.

-- Judith L. Ecklund

Reseda

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Sunday, the Daily News asked: Are these people -- movie stars, politicians, church officials, sports figures who have all been accused of or admitted bad behavior or bad choices -- an indication that people in general have chucked morality for personal gain, grandeur or power? Maybe yes, maybe no, readers said. But all agreed their deeds suggest a need to return to personal responsibility and acccountability.

Photo illustration by Shane Kidder/Daily News