
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, June 27, 1994                    TAG: 9406240014 
SECTION: FRONT                     PAGE: A6    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: Short 
DATELINE: 940627                                 LENGTH:

PRO-BUSINESS BIAS IS SHOWING

{LEAD} We are beginning to expect your lock-step, pro-big-business editorial bias. But your attempt to assess the Exxon Valdez verdict is not only business as usual but incredibly inaccurate.

You make it sound like poor Exxon was victimized by its inebriated and incompetent deck officers. The master of the Exxon Valdez, a known alcoholic, left the bridge right before a required vessel turn, leaving it to an unqualified third officer. The turn was missed, and the vessel went aground, spewing out its oil cargo.

{REST} Under maritime law, Exxon is liable for its deck officers; the master remains responsible, on the bridge or not; but to leave the bridge right before an important turn is in itself inexcusable.

All objective assessors of the ecological damage agree that it will take many more years to know the full impact on fisheries and bird life. For you to suggest that the effects of the oil-spill damage are minimal, and over, is just plain wrong.

Our founding fathers, in our Constitution, left the assessment of such tragedies in the hands of juries, not biased editorial writers. Your irresponsibly slanted editorial confirms their wisdom.

RALPH RABINOWITZ

Norfolk, June 16, 1994

by CNB