Wednesday, December 16, 1998

Letters to the Editor

Jury tampering

On the front page this morning, you listed the addresses and phone numbers of those who represent Texas in Congress, suggesting we write them, expressing our opinions regarding the possible impeachment of President Clinton. You included among them Sens. Gramm and Hutchison.
I believe they have already formed opinions and will vote along party lines, and so I will choose not to write, other than to ask them to keep open minds. They would, you see, be members of a jury, should the House of Representatives vote out articles of impeachment.
What you suggest amounts to jury tampering.
Members of the Senate must be allowed to function in the same way as a “normal” jury in any criminal case. I would hope they would accord the president all the rights and privileges any defendant is accorded in our justice system. One of those rights is the right to a fair and impartial jury composed of individuals with open minds.
I see no difference between my contacting a prospective or sitting juror in Taylor County to express my opinion as to the outcome of the trial and contacting my senator for the same reason.
Actually, the same rationale applies for members of the House as well. It would be improper for me to attempt to influence a member of a grand jury sitting to determine if the facts of a given case warrant a trial.
PAT ELLIOTT SMART
Abilene
Via e-mail

The rule of law

Our government was designed to govern. In large part, this is accomplished by establishing laws and punishing wrongdoers. The facts stand. Our president has broken these rules and betrayed the trust of the nation he has sworn to serve.
Shall we reward this type of behavior or just simply turn a deaf ear? The correct answer is neither.
Our government allegedly spent $40 million to investigate Bill Clinton because of suspicions he brought upon himself through a life of selfish ambition at the expense of the citizens of these United States.
The eroded trust and confidence in our government will cost us much more than that if these actions go unpunished.
It is my hope that our government will exercise its full authority in the investigation and prosecution of all enemies of the state. Strong language? Perhaps, but I fail to see how this president’s contemptuous actions cannot be compared to treason. Our worst enemy is moral degradation, and corrupt leaders are its chief agents. It topples civilizations with greater force than any enemy from the outside.
I hope Rep. Stenholm and other members of Congress realize that there are no other issues more important than this one. The rules have been made, and now they must be enforced or the abuse will continue.
It is a dangerous thing to dispense grace to those who don’t desire it or are unwilling to acknowledge the extent or damage of their transgressions. Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.
MARK WHITEHEAD
Abilene

On the right sole?

As the impeachment hearing on President Clinton proceeds, one hears the Democrats wondering about overturning his election twice to the highest office.
In 1972, then-President Nixon won election to a second term by an overwhelming majority. When he was found to have disgraced the office and as impeachment appeared a certainty, he resigned.
Were the Democrats then talking about overturning an election? Or was it that the foot was in the right shoe then?
One wonders!
ADEL NAFRAWI
Abilene