Friday, December 18, 1998

Letters to the Editor

Standing united

Wednesday, we launched airstrikes against Iraq. I feel the action taken is long overdue.

Some of you believe President Clinton is trying to prolong the impeachment process, trying to avoid the inevitable. Well as a spouse of a USAF service member, I must have complete faith in Clinton. Not only does he have my husband’s fate in his hands, but millions of other U.S. service members’. His personal indiscretions are of no importance to us. The business of running the country and protecting our welfare are essential matters. I feel that all things considered, the growth of our country (more jobs, better healthcare) should count for something. All of you screaming for impeachment, go over your past bank statements!

If Abilene is the ideal community it claims to be, stop and think about this: Jesus Christ died for our sins. We need to come together as a whole, support our commander-in-chief. Support the voice and decisions of the United States of American. Let’s end the controversy with Iraq, so our loved ones can celebrate the birth of our Lord with their loved ones. They have been gone way to long.

If we don’t show some unity, what will we at-home spouses tell our children when they ask why their mother or father is gone again this Christmas?

TAMARA WELLS

Abilene

Via e-mail

One mind changed

I reviewed the e-mail I sent Rep. Stenholm two months ago, urging him to censure, not impeach, the president. I have reconsidered.

I have come to believe Clinton’s conduct in covering up the Lewinsky dalliance has constituted a wholesale assault on our system of government that he’s sworn to uphold. He lied repeatedly to the court system and tied the courts asserting frivolous claims of privilege. He tainted his own executive branch by lying to his subordinates and inducing them to lie for him. And he’s assaulted Congress by public-relations stunts to distract attention from his dishonesty.

The issue now is whether we can afford for long to retain a pathological liar in our highest office in the land?

I’ve gotten beyond the concern that we shouldn’t set aside two national elections over a private moral lapse. And this is not a party thing with me, never was. I defended him before, even though I never voted for him, because of concerns about the stability of the presidency. But that’s the very reason why impeachment is hard to do. And that’s probably why the Founding Fathers didn’t include censure as an option; they wanted impeachment to be a hard and only choice for the House.

Congress needs to raise the pressure on him by proceeding with impeachment. It has to happen, or we will have to apologize to generations to come for failing to take the stand for the basic integrity of our system.

DAVE HAIGLER

Abilene

Via e-mail

Leave story alone

I am a female correctional officer employed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice at the French M. Robertson Unit. I was disgusted to read the article printed on the front page of your newspaper Wednesday, Dec. 16.

The employees and/or former employees who cowardly came to your office obviously do not know the entire story and do not need to know. The public does not need the details of what happened in that cell. Is it not enough to know that the officer came out alive?

I wish your newspaper would consider the feelings of the officer taken hostage and her family. Leave this story alone.

I feel completely safe with wardens Tim Morgan, James Mayfield and Robert Eason as my leaders, and I wholeheartedly trust their judgment. I do not appreciate your article reflecting negatively on my wardens. Warden Morgan is concerned for the safety of his staff and this facility.

BRANDI McGEE

Abilene

Via e-mail