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

DATE: Sunday, September 18, 1994             TAG: 9409160021
SECTION: COMMENTARY               PAGE: J4   EDITION: FINAL  
TYPE: Letter
                                             LENGTH: Short :   45 lines

CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION: ***************************************************************** The last paragraph of Chesapeake resident John P. Simanton's letter (Sept. 18) should have read: Having been blessed for more than two centuries with soldiers willing to lay down their lives in the Constitution's defense, is it not ironic that the Constitution has now been subverted by a ``soldier'' who is willing to strike down the basis of our democracy rather than have Contra ``soldiers'' accept the hazards of their calling? Correction published, Tuesday September 20, 1994, p.A12 ***************************************************************** SUBVERSIVE NORTH

Having dedicated more than 17 years to serving the U.S. Constitution as both an enlisted and an officer, and two more years as a reserve officer, and bearing in mind my oath to the Constitution I have followed the public life of retired Lt. Col. Oliver North with considerable interest since he emerged in the limelight of the Iran-Contra hearings.

I am especially intrigued by his statements, repeated in his campaign-funds-solicitation literature, that his actions in that affair were fully justified on the basis that they ``saved lives.'' Setting aside the questionable logic of ``saving lives'' by enabling the holders of those lives to deprive others of their lives, I ponder a fundamental question:

Having been blessed for more than two centuries with soldiers willing to lay down their lives in the Constitution's defense, I find it ironic that this charter Constitution has now been subverted by a ``soldier'' willing to strike down the basis of our democracy rather than have Contra ``soldiers'' accept the hazards of their calling?

JOHN P. SIMANTON

Cheapeake, Sept. 11, 1994 by CNB