THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 15, 1994 TAG: 9410140018
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 102 lines
In these stressful, fast-paced days, we all have a great many fears (illness, poverty, violence, etc.) with which to cope as best we can. One of greatest fears I face is the possibility that Ollie North may be going to the U.S. Senate to represent me. I was appalled that the Republican Party in Virginia was so completely irresponsible as to name him the party nominee. With three candidates running, there is a strong possibility that the votes may be so split that North might win the election. What a nightmare!
During the recent TV senatorial debate, Ollie was asked about President Reagan's charge that he is a liar. He tap-danced all around it but never did answer. He will tell any story that makes him sound good, no matter what it is.
Virginians do not need any more ``party'' people. There are already too many in Congress, elected in good faith by the taxpayers, who turned out to be self-serving scoundrels. If we intentionally send a known liar to Washington, we deserve what we will undoubtedly get.
BETTYE L. WILKINS
Chesapeake, Oct. 3, 1994
I overheard a conversation between a boy and his father. Said the boy, ``Dad, is Ollie North going to win?''
``It looks like he might,'' replied Dad. ``I hope so.''
``But, didn't he lie?'' asked the boy.
``Yes,'' said Dad, ``but he wasn't under oath.''
``What does that mean?'' asked the boy, as dad fell silent obviously realizing that he was in over his head. ``Is it like when you cross your fingers?'' the boy persisted. ``Is that all right, Dad?''
``Would you like an ice cream?'' asked Dad.
Are we so desperate for a charismatic leader that we ignore his ethical and moral deficiencies?
North is a liar, plain and simple. Anyone who supports him condones dishonesy.
How will we know when he has his fingers crossed?
Virginians, where is your dignity?
MICHAEL N. MULKEY
Virginia Beach, Oct. 10, 1994
As a Christian, believing and trying to live the principles of Jesus Christ, I must forgive Oliver North. I must forgive him for lying to Congress, for breaking his oath to the Constitution and for taking the law into his own hands.
But even though I am forgiving him, his record shows he cannot be trusted. Knowing this, I cannot give him my support on Election Day.
If Mr. North does get elected, how does he expect to achieve or gain any support from Congress, a body to which he lied?
Maybe Congress will forgive him. I doubt it.
JEFF HALSTEAD
Virginia Beach, Oct. 5, 1994
Ollie North, a.k.a. Pinocchio, has hit a new low.
It is bad enough that he has lied to the voters of Virginia. Now he has lied to schoolchildren (``I did not lie to Congress,'' North tells government students, Virginian-Pilot, Oct. 5).
Has this man no shame? He has done nothing but tell lies and half-truths during his whole Senate campaign, not to mention the events beforehand.
Now he has the nerve to tell a group of high-school students that he didn't lie to Congress, when he himself has admitted he did.
Only a man with no conscience would tell such an obvious lie to a group of children. Maybe he was just giving them a taste of what the future would be like if they had to grow up with him in office.
I hope the students he was busy lying to were able to see through the lies to the real Oliver North - something many adults seem unable or unwilling to do.
I guess Ollie also didn't invent details of his family's background or distort the facts on his opponent's stands on the issues, as well as his own.
To Virginia voters, I would suggest: If North's actions up until now are not enough to get you to vote for someone else for your own sake, then do it for your children. They deserve better.
Also, if anyone has the phone number for Disney, call and try to contact Geppetto. Tell him his little wooden boy has been found alive, well and lying in Virginia.
DAVE CRAWFORD
Virginia Beach, Oct. 7, 1994
Recruiter: What experience do you have with this type of work?
Applicant: None.
Recruiter: What do you know about our organization?
Applicant: It's terrible; I have nothing but contempt for it.
Recruiter: If I contacted your former employer for a reference, what would he say?
Applicant: That I'm a liar and unfit for the position.
Recruiter: Any history of mental instability?
Applicant: Yes.
Recruiter: Any criminal record?
Applicant: Yes, three felony convictions, but they were overturned on a technicality.
Recruiter: I don't see the need for any more questions. You're perfect for the job, Mr. North. You'll make a fine senator.
JULIA BRAGDON
Virginia Beach, Oct. 10, 1994 by CNB