THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 22, 1994 TAG: 9410220007
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Oliver North needs to take a high-school government class and read The New York Times a bit more diligently. You published an article describing the barbs traded between Vice President Gore and wannabe senator North. North chides Clinton for his response to the new threat in the Persian Gulf because he created a ``hollow military.''
Ollie should get his facts straight. The president does not have the power to cut the military; that power lies in the hands of Congress, the very office he is running for.
North also attacks Gore for using the foreign-policy crisis to attack Clinton's opponents. Once again, is Ollie paying attention? Where is his short attention span when members of the GOP filibuster moves the Democratic Party tries to make in Congress? Where was Ollie during Sen. Bob Dole's sound bytes lambasting Clinton, Democrats and liberals for the problems of the nation?
Republicans seem to have a very short memory. The GOP has been in the White House for 12 years; Clinton only two. You can't expect instant government turnaround after more than a decade of mismanagement. At least Bill Clinton has had the heart to try to make some changes during his presidency rather than sit back on his laurels.
It's too bad we have members in Congress far too interested in keeping things the way they are and themselves in office rather than improving life for their constituents. If North is elected, he will fit right in.
PAMELA JORGENSEN
Norfolk, Oct. 16, 1994
I can't believe there is actually a chance that Oliver North will win. What are people thinking about?
So Chuck Robb strayed, as have millions of husbands. What he didn't do was arm people considered our enemies and then lie about it.
Just recently North made false statements, then blamed them on the fact that he has been campaigning so much. His lack of respect for President Clinton and our military should be a neon sign that he'll do more harm than good for Virginia.
How can we expect someone who didn't respect our Constitution to do what needs to be done for our commonwealth?
Smarten up before Election Day!
CAROL E. McEWEN
Virginia Beach, Oct. 13, 1994
Oliver North knows all about ``socialized medicine,'' the term he uses to denigrate efforts of Congress to provide some form of medical coverage for the ``have-nots'' and some medical reform for the ``haves.''
He has been provided the benefits of socialized medicine since he was a plebe at the Naval Academy. As a retired Marine officer, he is still entitled to the privileges of medical services through the military. This is just another example of Ollie's rank hypocrisy.
North may not acknowledge President Clinton as his commander in chief, but I'm sure he has not removed himself from the rolls of the retired military and continues to take advantage of the privileges.
Any retired military officer who refuses to accept the president as his commander in chief should be summarily discharged and stripped of all rights and privileges.
E. J. GANLEY
Melfa, Oct. 15, 1994 by CNB