THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 20, 1996 TAG: 9603200011
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
Jack Birsch and Leslie A. Bush (letters, March 7) argue that Sen. John Warner should be punished for not blindly supporting all Republican Senate nominees regardless of qualifications and character.
Mr. Warner refused to support the Senate candidacy of Oliver North. Mr. North's treasonous actions, aiding and abetting a sworn enemy of America, showed him to be of questionable moral character and unfit to serve in any public office, much less the U.S. Senate.
Mr. North and his supporters justify his illegal sale of arms to Iran as ``following orders.'' I served in the Navy for 20 years and was taught that no one in the military is obliged to follow orders which they know to be patently illegal. If Mr. North had a scintilla of moral courage, he would have refused to obey those orders. Fortunately for America, there are men like Senator Warner who choose not to sacrifice higher moral imperatives in the name of blind party loyalty.
Mr. Warner's seniority in the Senate has placed him in a position to exert greater influence on Senate committees and thus better serve his constituency. Unfortunately, a vengeful minority within the Republican Party would subordinate the best interests of Virginians to punish Senator Warner.
History is full of lessons which should have taught us the folly of blind allegiance to political parties or agenda. The calls for Senator Warner's political blood would seem to indicate that, apparently, we still have much to learn.
I sincerely hope that the majority of Virginia Republicans will reject this unreasonable, reckless call for vengeance and ensure Senator Warner's continued exemplary service to Virginia and America.
RUSSELL R. CERRO
Norfolk, March 8, 1996 by CNB