Editor, Times-Union: As of 2/17/99, I withdraw my membership from the Animal Welfare League and resign as President of that organization. I want to thank everyone who has supported my efforts during the past months.
Linda Mullins, Mentone
AWL Membership Chair Resigns
Editor, Times-Union: As of 2/17/99, I withdraw my membership from the Animal Welfare league of Kosciusko County and also resign as membership chairman.
Margaret F. Scott, Warsaw
Four Words
Editor, Times-Union: 1) Despicable - deserving of contempt or disdain; mean, vile (despite equals contemptuous defiance).
2) Indefensible - not capable of being defended; inexcusable; invalid; untenable; vulnerable to attack.
3) Reprehensible - deserving of rebuke or censure; blameworthy.
4) Contemptible - from contempt; contemptible; is deserving of contempt; despicable.
But there is also contemptuous from "America Heritage Dictionary" manifesting or feeling contempt: scornful; disdainful. Also contempt can be open disrespect of the authority of a legislative body. These are, of course, words spoken (how many by how many) in, I'm not sure, praise or defense of our sitting repentant president. Republican and Democrat club members, preface any comment about WJC with "indefensible, etc. ..." Then they say "but," "do not rise."
Faith in our governing bodies from local to state and federal including courts and the president of the United States of America is the hallmark of our democracy. I'm thinking many - many of the elected parties are failing to emulate this faith. It is a shame that the beautiful country we live in is compromised because of blind loyalty to personal interests.
William Jefferson Clinton is now exonerated and free, thanks to the 80-90 and the U.S. Senate. But are we?
B.J. Walker, Warsaw
Peron Parallels
Editor, Times-Union: The recent years of emphasis on famous couples - first ladies, ambassadors, presidents, governors, for whatever reason, reminded me of Per-n.
I thought the 70 - 80 percent poll-ees and the 20 - 30 percent of them might be interested in some parallelism of personalities most of us know and respect or disrespect, depending on your origin.
The political talk now is first ladies and senate wives and former second ladies planning runs for senate, president, governor (Marilyn).
Juan Per-n was president of Argentina from 1946 to 1955. He was deposed by the army and navy after a three-day revolt, led on by opposition to his governmental policies. He used press (media) censorship and violations of civil rights. He challenged the church.
Per-n had gained power with a program called judicialism - "middle road between communism and capitalism." He gained strength from backing of labor.
He had a wife, Maria Eva Duarte de Per-n (1919-1957), who actively helped Per-n rise to power. They were married in 1945. Eva was Per-n's chief aide, where she shared his glory. Her husband was a dictator - she was a saint to Argentinians, as she supported Per-n's policies.
Yes, a different time - a different place, but observe us today. Idolatry has become a religion. No one can do any wrong. Accountability is another disappearing word - (I already deleted hypocrisy) - and respect - where?
The parallel? Political husbands and wives today - Juan and Eva yesterday. And I believe the caretakers of Washington, D.C., are truly clones of each other in a closed clone society.
B.J. Walker, Warsaw
Editor, Times-Union:
The "Theater of the Absurd" continued in Washington D.C. with an effort led by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., to "censure" Clinton after the acquittal verdict (mentioned in the Times-Union Feb. 13, 1999). She had the comical gall to say that Clinton's behavior was "shameless, reckless and indefensible" having just voted to acquit him. Feinstein's vote actually defended the "indefensible" behavior!
She can submit as many censures (unconstitutional) as she wants. She can circulate as many sighed letters of disapproval as she wants. The fact is Feinstein has stamped "approved" to the "indefensible" behavior by her vote! The opportunity was there in the Senate chamber to uphold the law, preserve the integrity of the presidency and maintain a standard for the future. Feinstein didn't seize the opportunity.
Feinstein should draw the curtain closed and end such embarrassingly unsolicited curtain calls so we the audience can go home to a good book. As Republican Bob Smith of New Hampshire said, "Let's move on..." I agree the show is over.
