About the editor: When a defendant pays money to settle a civil case, it is usually not an admission of guilt. The standard statement signed by the plaintiff confirms that the defendant has not admitted any wrongdoing. (“Fox News Settles Dominion Defamation Suit for $787 Million. Should It Have Apologized Too?”, April 19)

But when a defendant pays the staggering $787.5 million, that’s definitely an admission of guilt. They will not pay a $787.5 million settlement to avoid further attorneys’ fees and costs. You don’t pay $787.5 million if you have a lowest strength defense. You only pay $787.5 million if you’re afraid the jury will beat you for more than that

a

$1 billion in damage.

Had the Fox News defamation case gone to trial, the jury would not have had the authority to force an apology. It could only have ordered the payment of damages.

The $787.5 million payment from Fox News to Dominion Voting Systems is a far more powerful apology than one monotonously read by a corporate lawyer.

Bruce Younger, Santa Monica

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About the editor: What a sad end to this process! This payout means nothing to the overflowing coffers of the Fox News money machine.

I hoped Dominion would have been waiting for a resounding mea culpa from Fox. I was hoping we’d hear a mea culpa on every Fox News show day after day, night after night for at least a month, so it stirs the brains and hearts of those who get all their so-called news from the stuff companies

I hope one of the plaintiffs in the pending lawsuits against Fox News will see through this. Like Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter, the guilt of his lies can spread like a mighty force across the ether and help save our dwindling democracy from the death blow.

Rosalind Levine, Los Angeles

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About the publisher: Could Fox News have found a more Orwellian characterization of its surrender to the Dominion trial? Namely, “The settlement reflects Fox’s continued commitment to the highest standards of journalism.”

I missed this cable channel’s coverage of the settlement of numerous fraud charges filed against the former president’s infamous Trump University. No doubt it went something like this: “This agreement reflects Trump’s continued commitment to the highest educational standards.”

This suggests that Fox and Trump’s vicious professional standards are closely aligned, leading to endless lost lawsuits.

Gary Dolgin, Santa Monica

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About the editor: Fox News’ statement on the Dominion lawsuit could have been used in Germany in 1944:

“The leader said we will continue to maintain the highest humanitarian standards in dealing with the detainees in our camps.”

James Wilterdink, Chula Vista

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About the editor: Since so many people seem to live in an alternate universe where the truth seems to hold no weight, I thought maybe Fox could start an alternative sports channel to boost its profits.

This station can be called “You win”. Whatever the actual results of a match, your team will always win on this station.

That way everyone is happy on game day and no poor soul has to deal with losing.

Linda Taylor, Irvine..

About the editor: If your highest and only goal is to make as much money as possible, as I think

The

Rupert Murdoch’s family and the on-air news network personalities who monitor him, I think the only apology Fox News can give is to apologize for getting caught.

That’s hardly the excuse many people of sincere morality would want.

David Berke, Encinitas