
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 2, 1994                    TAG: 9406020006 
SECTION: FRONT                     PAGE: A16    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: Medium 
DATELINE: 940602                                 LENGTH:

SMILING THROUGH THE EDITORIAL CHANGE

{LEAD} I have had occasion to smile lately as I have read the letters to the editor from the liberals out there expressing indignation over a perceived change, to the right, of the editorial bent. And indignant they should be. After all, 85 percent of the national media voted Democrat in the past five national elections. Congress has been increasingly liberal (read Democrat controlled) for the past 40 years. Virtually all ``hard news'' is handled, via physical placement in the paper as well as any ``slant,'' in a manner thinly disguised to further the liberal agenda of an administration that was duly elected. The media were even complicit in framing the debate during the 1992 presidential campaign so that socialism was merely ``change'' and ``character was not an issue,'' resulting in a mandate from 43 percent of the electorate. So, why the irresponsible change in editorial persuasion?

Never mind that liberalism is morally bankrupt. Never mind that liberal policies and doctrine have brought America less reverence for life, as evidenced by inner-city homicide rates, millions of abortions and ``doctors'' who are ``heroic'' for ending lives. Liberalism is the horror and hopelessness of the welfare state. It is increased teen suicide, teen pregnancy, divorce, single parenthood, birth out of wedlock and outcome-based education. Liberalism accomplishes this by affirming that ``there are no absolutes,'' establishing ``moral relativism'' and the ``rights of the individual'' as the only standard, and then offering government as the solution to the resultant chaos, a solution that can be accepted without personal responsibility or social stigma.

Yes, I understand the wailing and gnashing of teeth from the left on the editorial page. And I have had occasion to smile lately.

JAMES E. MUNFORD JR.

Virginia Beach, May 17, 1994

by CNB