
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, November 1, 1994                   TAG: 9411160036
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOYCE L. PEDIGO
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

NORTH HAS A NON-ELITIST AGENDA

IT WAS as predictable as death and taxes. The liberal Roanoke Times & World-News is turning up the rhetoric against Oliver North. It has panicked as it sees North's popularity soaring.

Don't let this newspaper get away with it. Only the liberal media would dredge up every word an opponent ever spoke and use it against him - out of context - sparing the media's favorite candidate equal scrutiny.

As to North's detractors, many are as responsible as, and more guilty than, North. Why trust their opinions? Many senators and representatives now serving (and having served too long) aren't fit for their offices. The media often are wrong, but seldom do they correct their lies, misstatements and exaggerations.

North kept his Marine oath and the oath to preserve the secrets of the National Security Council. Contrast this with congressmen who can't keep confidences, but allow leaks and/or race to cameras and microphones. Fraud and embezzlement, as well as other crimes among congressmen, are slowly being revealed.

North's ``crimes'' involved national security issues and protected lives. It was the policy of the United States to support the anti-communists until the Democratic Congress cut funding to thwart the Republican president's policy. What to do? Drop thousands of leaflets to the Contra army in the battlefield telling them to stop fighting because Congress cut off funds? (Remember the Bay of Pigs - that unique opportunity to free Cuba?) Nicaragua, unlike Haiti and Cuba, is on the American continent.

We know a lot about Sen. Charles Robb. His voting record reflects special interests and not the interests of the non-elitist citizens of Virginia. See how many of his votes reflect your preferences.

Robb has a low 7 percent pro-family rating, but he's a Clinton clone. He is against banning immigrants with the HIV/AIDS virus, against school prayer and against term limits. He voted for the crime bill (and, don't laugh, midnight basketball), for gays in the military (even though he's a former Marine, veterans take note), for denying parents a say in education, and for condoms for children without parental consent (from the education governor), for Clinton's budget, for taxpayer-funded pornographic ``art,'' for the appointments of Roberta Achtenberg and Joycelyn Elder (two extremely objectionable appointments).

The only thing he did right was vote for a balanced budget amendment, even after voting for the Clinton budget.

Robb's character weaknesses go beyond mere words. Do we want to become the United Socialist States of America?

So stop harping on North's yarns and look at his agenda. He has agreed to the Republican contract with America, and has guaranteed he will not be Clinton's yes-man. He's for term limits, school prayer, tax relief for the family, opposes gays in the military - well, just about opposite Robb's record.

Remember the arrogance of senators who interrogated North mercilessly, and his dignity appearing before them. He has developed and refined since then. Remember, too, that Clinton was the media choice, and he's the most immoral president in my lifetime. Vote for North - and repudiate Clinton, Robb and this newspaper.

Joyce L. Pedigo lives in Bedford.

by CNB