Subject: Incompetence trumped by loyalty; and we all lose: Larry, the failure of Atty. Gen. Alberto R. Gonzales to step down only echoes an attitude that's been popularized by our president. Gonzales is answerable, in his opinion, only to the president. George W. Bush in word and deed is answerable only to himself. Anyone who witnessed Gonzales' performance before the Senate Judiciary Committee could only imagine that, at the end of the day, he would be forced by conscience or consensus to resign. But so far his resignation has not been forthcoming. Why? Because the only voice he responds to is that of our commander in chief, who was, somehow, satisfied by his testimony. If the country's top cop is not sensitive to his moral failure, ethical compromise or craven leadership, how can we expect law enforcement to resonate with the force necessary to be effective? MM