THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, July 4, 1994 TAG: 9406300011
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
After reading and hearing all the arguments, ``patriot'' seems to represent the polarization of existing opinions. Everyone has one. And neither side seems prepared to change. So ponder this, that it may make a difference.
The words in the Preamble to our Constitution tell us its purpose. Words like: ``to establish justice, insure domestic tranquility. . . .'' And most important, to ``. . . secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity. . . .''
Most of us agree that these are among the most important words ever written or spoken in our behalf. And that many brave men have sacrificed their lives for what they portend. And that too many of us take them for granted. Amongst the readership of this newspaper, there are many military people who have taken a solemn oath ``to uphold and defend'' our Constitution ``against all enemies, both foreign and domestic.'' And some have ventured in harm's way in fulfillment of that oath. They have ``walked the walk, and talked the talk.'' They exercised the ultimate in courage by facing those who would deny us our constitutional blessings. They have faced ``the enemy.''
Times change. And at the present time, who best fulfills the role of ``those who threaten to deny our constitutional blessings?
What legislative body defined by our Constitution has exchanged its legislative responsibilities for the privileges of a ruling class?
And who irresponsibly squanders revenue, and systematically strives to strip us of our freedom by promoting socialism and totalitarianism?
If some careful thought is applied to such issues, then maybe it doesn't matter if Ollie lied to Congress. Because if he lied, maybe he just stood alone and faced ``the enemy.'' He's done it before. And he was under a solemn oath to do it.
Maybe Ollie North is just a patriot.
HOLLIE J. TIEDEMANN JR.
Virginia Beach, June 18, 1994 by CNB