THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 25, 1994 TAG: 9410250010
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
``A sense of honor'' (with subhead: ``Do Virginians honestly fear offending the ghosts of Thomas Jefferson and Robert E. Lee? Senate candidate J. Marshall Coleman is counting on it,'' news, Oct. 9) is a joke. Marshall Coleman has attempted to squeeze a few more votes by laying a guilt trip on the good people of Virginia, and we aren't buying it.
As a student of history, I know only too well the dedication of Jefferson and Lee to their cause. They were great Americans and patriots, but I also contend that Ollie North is a great American.
Did North not prove his dedication and bravery on the battlefield? Has he not proved that he has the ``guts'' to stand and not flinch on issues that he feels are best for his state?
That whole congressional hearing on the Iran-Contra affair was nothing more than a media blitz designed for Democratic congressmen to gain popularity in their home states. We now know how complicated and involved the issue of communism in Central America was at the time; and when it went sour, Ollie was the fall man.
I, along with many Virginians, feel that Ollie based all of his decisions on one overriding fact - what was best for his country. This to me makes him a superpatriot.
Those of us who will vote Oliver North into office next month aren't offending the ghost of anyone. My guess is that Jefferson and Lee would be proud of us.
BILL SEXTON
Virginia Beach, Oct. 15, 1994 by CNB