Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 2, 1994 TAG: 9411140031
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
We hear over and over again about North's lies, or more accurately, his not telling the whole truth (whatever that is). I, for one, am convinced that he acted, in his honest judgment, out of a sense of loyalty to his country and leaders, and in the interests of national security.
On the other hand, Robb's adulterous adventures were certainly an act of disloyalty to the woman he pledged his love to. Legalists, please note that adultery precedes bearing false witness in the Ten Commandments.
Party lines being considered, as a Christian I couldn't possibly vote for a Democrat. During the last presidential campaign, it was made quite clear that Democratic participants stood for abortion and the abomination of homosexual lifestyle. Add Robb's adultery for a triple-A negative rating.
North is no angel, but he's the only one worth voting for.
GEORGE KASSEBAUM
SALEM
Southern votes are going North
AS A descendant of Union soldiers and an admirer of the greatest Republicans, Honest Abe and Unconditional Surrender Grant, I'm happy to see sons and daughters of the Confederacy at last seeking salvation in the Republican Party and in the North.
TED ALLEN
ROANOKE
North's backers aren't idiots
ARTHUR R. Poskocil's Oct. 28 commentary ``North supporters: Television made them do it'' represents sleight-of-hand journalism. He makes his weak point regarding television after many column inches of miasma denigrating Virginians who support Oliver North. Most of what he rambles on about shouldn't pass the smell test.
His commentary reflected the loudmouth nonsense so typical of liberals. What kind of a sociologist applies a blanket label to North's supporters? It's amazing how the anti-North crowd have blinders on when it comes to Sen. Charles Robb's antics. How quickly he forgets that Robb embarrassed, if not betrayed, Virginians with his nocturnal activities, his choice of friends, and the unethical behavior he displayed toward Gov. Wilder.
What Poskocil fails to recognize is that mainstream Virginians don't support the liberal agenda of the current administration of which Robb is a key player. Further, mainstream Virginians didn't support Mary Sue Terry or President Clinton with their votes. North has a strong, conservative message that many of us support. Many of the ``us'' are independent-thinking professionals who don't like the direction this country is heading. But if it makes Poskocil feel better, he can think of us as a bunch of mindless idiots who spend all our time channel surfing.
KERRY JOHN REDICAN
BLACKSBURG
Robb beats the alternative
I'VE BEEN a National Rifle Association member for years. However, if push comes to shove, I'd rather lose my guns than my freedom of choice.
I'm also a World War II veteran. After watching and hearing some of Oliver North's propaganda, I can't help but wonder: What if he and John Wayne had been with us? Just think, we could have won the war in the Pacific in days instead of years!
According to North, Sen. Charles Robb strayed. According to Robb, North lied. If either or both of these traits disqualify anyone for the Senate, they'd have to send out of town to get a foursome for golf.
According to North, Robb is a Clinton clone. But let's look at his record, and the fact that he knows his way around Washington. And look at the alternative - North is in bed with Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson. My biggest worry is (God, are you watching?) if North should win, do we face our prayer rugs toward Virginia Beach or Lynchburg?
Robb may not be the greatest, but he sure is far above the competition.
EARL A. PONTING
ROANOKE
The truth about Senate criteria
MARIAN G. Stier (Oct. 5 letter to the editor, ``Not all are so `jolly for Ollie''') seemed overly concerned about whether Oliver North lied or did not, feeling it's the criterion of his eligibility to become a senator.
If Ted Kennedy and Sen. Charles Robb are good timber for the Senate, then anyone should be acceptable.
The president defended Roger Altman, who didn't mind lying and conveniently forgot orders he had given, so it would seem that party affiliations are the only thing that matters.
I say, ``Right on, Ollie. You have my vote.''
HAZEL S. MOORE
ROANOKE
Defeat all three amendments
THERE are three proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot in Virginia this year. The state Board of Elections apparently wants voters to approve all three. If that's not enough reason to vote no, here are others:
Proposal No. 1 would allow the General Assembly, of which the vast majority are lawyers, to ``reopen and extend the statutory time period for bringing civil lawsuits which involve intentional injuries to minors.'' It seems there have been some ``victims'' who didn't know they were injured until years later when psychiatrists, psychologists, Oprah, lawyers or others who stand to benefit financially ``helped them remember.'' I can't believe a person has been injured very badly if he needs help to remember.
Proposal No. 2 would allow voter registration by mail. This would be an open invitation to election fraud. No doubt, special-interest groups would register lots of people by mail - uninterested, fictitious, and even dead people could easily get registered this way. Then, special-interest groups could easily send someone to vote for them. Let's keep requiring voters to register in person.
The Board of Elections tries to use the lame excuse that federal law requires it for federal elections. Do we really want Virginia to be like Washington, D.C.?
Proposal No. 3 would make it easier for the General Assembly to pass bills into law. This is a bad idea. Most laws passed in recent years take away ever more of the individual's freedom and the individual's money. We need to make it harder to pass laws - not easier.
WAYNE STANLEY
NARROWS
North stood firm for democracy
OLIVER NORTH'S actions to stem the expansion of communism in South America should be praised rather than criticized. The United States government had encouraged and funded the Contras to engage the Cuban-Russian-supported Sandinistas. They were committed to a life or death struggle in preserving democracy in that region.
The liberal, Democrat-controlled Congress succeeded in cutting aid to those heroic Contras, leaving them at the mercy of the communists. Cuban troops and Russian military supplies were being poured into the area to expand communist ideals and goals in this hemisphere.
Thank goodness we had a president who had the foresight to do what was needed to see that communism didn't continue to expand. Thank goodness, too, we had dedicated, talented people like North to ensure that the Contras wouldn't be left to perish, along with democracy in that region.
DON DYE
SALEM
`Yuppie' label a cheap shot
YOUR ENDORSEMENT (Oct. 28, ``In the 5th, re-elect Payne'') of L.F. Payne over George Landrith for the 5th District congressional seat wasn't unexpected, but was filled with inaccuracies and one very cheap shot. I refer to the last paragraph in which you said: ``Landrith comes across as another yuppie lawyer on the make.''
As someone who is under 40, I find this very offensive. And I know Landrith has offered himself as a candidate at great personal expense to himself and his family. He has publicly stated that he's in favor of term limits, and will look forward to returning to private life after his term is over. Has Payne? No.
Fortunately, 5th District voters routinely vote differently from the way this newspaper recommends.
R. DONIVAN EDWARDS
Chairman, 5th District Republican Party of Virginia
MARTINSVILLE
by CNB