
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, May 23, 1993                   TAG: 9305240246
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

WHERE'S INDIGNATION OVER CLINTON JOKES?

THE ROANOKE Times & World-News criticized Lt. Col. Oliver North harshly because he told a joke that involved a homosexual punch line. You would have us believe that makes him a bigot.

Shortly after your criticism of North, President Bill Clinton, speaking at a Gridiron Club meeting, told a joke with a homosexual punch line. More recently, Clinton told a "joke" in which he said Rush Limbaugh supported Attorney General Janet Reno after the Waco fiasco because "she was attacked by a black guy (Congressman John Conyers)." Limbaugh is a racist? Congressman Conyers is a "black guy"?

I have been waiting for the righteous indignation you bestowed on North to fall on Clinton, but have waited in vain. Other newspapers criticized Clinton, but not you.

Why the difference in the way you treat jokes by Clinton and North? Why the double standard? Perhaps you are biased in favor of liberal President Clinton and biased against conservative Oliver North. MARY RIGNEY RADFORD

by CNB