Wednesday, November 18, 1998

Proud of jury's work

In regard to the Nov. 12 letter by Bill Preston, who says he is upset about the job the jury did on the Billy Don Williams case (as written in his letter), I would like to make the following comments.

Obviously this gentleman is an expert on the facts of the case and how many eye-witnesses there were. This was easily shown by his inability to recall the name of the accused man, Billy Don Wilson, not Billy Don Williams as he wrote.

Furthermore, unless this fellow sat in on all the trial and listened to all the evidence presented for the jury to make their decision, and only this evidence could be taken into account, he doesn't have the right to make any judgment in regards to the kind of job the jury did.

It takes a unanimous decision of all 12 jurors to make a conviction or an acquittal, and it is individuals such as him who make it harder and harder for our justice system to work based on his having proven the man guilty from what he might have heard from the media or other people.

Whether the man is guilty of what he is charged, I think I am justified in my belief as I served on the jury for the case and heard the evidence. No, we did not make a conviction; however, I am proud of the effort we put forth and would like to say it is not easy to decide the fate of another individual's life.

I respect the feelings of all of the other jurors I served with, and I would like to tell Mr. Preston, until you've walked the walk, don't talk the talk.

CLINTON HAGLER JR.

Tuscola

Drop Bill on Iraq

Saddam Hussein is a threatening world figure. Those in greatest jeopardy from him are Iraqi citizens, who seem powerless under his regime, and the Arab countries in that part of the world.

The governments of these countries, although acquiescing in the prospective U.S. attack, aren't enthusiastic, and a large segment of the Arab population is vocally opposed to what the U.S. is on the verge of doing.

So am I! the U.S. and its lying, womanizing, self-righteous and incompetent president need to establish some sensible ground rules before embarking on escapades such as attacking another country.

One important criteria should be active participation and support of those most affected by the threat. And if it is a global threat, as this one is said to be, then the other six most economically powerful countries in the world, or at least a majority of them, should have some significant "skin in the game."

The U.S. should never assume the role of world policeman. The economy of Europe is larger than that of the U.S., and they aren't even participating financially.

The economic sanctions program against Iraq is having the wrong effect because only the helpless civilians are truly suffering. This program is what Iraq is trying to have changed. It seems this might be a positive area for negotiation. But the draft-dodging leader who never inhaled says no.

Why don't we drop Bill on Iraq? That ought to solve the problem.

JOHN GRANVILLE

Abilene