THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 24, 1995 TAG: 9511230036
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
The Nov. 11 column by Charlise Lyles is interesting in its superficial comments concerning Gen. Colin Powell's noncandidate announcement. But I was both concerned and disappointed by Ms. Lyles' comment that the general's ``business of book peddling and politicking didn't smell right.'' She goes on to say that the book tour had a self-serving odor to it, similar to Speaker Gingrich's original book deal.
As I and many others see it, the general was thrust into the political arena by the self-serving media that went looking for something to spice up another dull presidential election. I don't recall Powell saying he was a candidate for the presidency. The Powell for President groundswell took on a life all its own during the book tour and was fanned by the media and, admittedly, a public clamoring for someone, anyone, who might save this nation from its continuing slide toward mediocrity and chaos.
Let us not blame General Powell for the weeks of will-he-or-won't-he insanity. As so often happens in the recent history of the country, the media, much like a dog with a bone, has to be told sternly, No! That's what General Powell so eloquently did. It is, sad to say, the country's loss.
BEN JACKSON
Virginia Beach, Nov. 12, 1995 by CNB