Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, November 15, 1993 TAG: 9311150007
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Ray Reed
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A: Three members of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals heard Oliver North's case, and his convictions in the Iran-Contra affair were vacated on all three counts.
The judges' vote was 2-1, with Reagan appointees Laurence Silberman and David Sentelle in the majority. On the other side was Patricia Wald, a Carter appointee.
Their findings were examined by the full D.C. Circuit (11 members) and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Pure politics, some might say? Maybe, but legal principles definitely were followed. The Supreme Court said as much by refusing to hear the appeal.
Marine Col. North was convicted in May 1989 of helping obstruct Congress, destroying documents at his National Security Council job, and accepting an illegal gratuity - a $14,000 security system for his home.
The appeals court reversed his conviction outright on the count of destroying National Security Council documents.
The other two counts were sent back to the lower court to be reviewed "line by line" to see if witnesses had been influenced by North's dramatic, televised appearance before Congress in 1987.
It was an impossible task, and the trial court dropped the charges Sept. 16, 1991.
The real monkey wrench was thrown into the legal process when Congress compelled North to testify, and granted him immunity, before the trial could be held.
What's a commonwealth?
Q: Both Puerto Rico and Virginia are called commonwealths. How do they differ politically? A.M., Roanoke
A: "Commonwealth" describes a state or country where people have joined together for consultation and mutual assistance - which describes the United States.
Virginia makes commonwealth part of its formal name, as do Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Kentucky - perhaps a holdover from England's days as a commonwealth in the mid-1600s. These states differ little from others.
Puerto Rico has special status in the U.S. government. Puerto Rico is a self-governing part of the United States and has its own constitution, governor and legislature. Most federal laws apply there.
Citizens of Puerto Rico have little voice in electing our president and no vote in Congress on laws that may affect them.
Sunday's vote, or plebiscite, in Puerto Rico was a non-binding expression of the people's will to Congress, and it showed they prefer commonwealth status to statehood.
Retirement age going up
Q: I was born in 1963. Is it true I can't retire on full Social Security benefits until I'm 67? J.C., Christiansburg
A: It's true.
A 1983 law affects everyone born from 1938 onward, adding two months for each year through 1943, when the retirement age becomes 66. It stays there until the 1955 birth year, when two months per year are added again. Those born in '60 and later can retire at full benefits at age 67.
People still can retire on partial benefits starting at age 62, Social Security officials say.
Got a question about something that may affect other people too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Give us a call at 981-3118. Maybe we can find the answer.
by CNB