THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 9, 1994 TAG: 9409090011
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
We hear a great deal about Ollie North lying to Congress. I don't condone lying, but it's understandable in some cases.
North's action in supporting the Contras was no doubt carrying out orders from his superiors.
During World War II, Franklin D. Roosevelt was running a war from the White House to help England, without congressional declaration of war. I was highly critical of his actions. As time passed and certain writings by those who knew what was going on were published, it became apparent that if FDR had not acted as he did, Germany might well have occupied England, from where we later conducted air strikes against Germany. It would have been a much longer war with many more casualties if we had not had English bases.
Had it not been for the support given the Contras, it could be that Ortega would still be a dictator.
Let's forgive Ollie and put this great American where he is needed - the U.S. Senate.
CLINTON O. CRAWFORD
Suffolk, Sept. 5, 1994 by CNB