Letters to the Editor 09-21-1998
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Voice Of The People - Thanks From Pleasant Grove - Comments Clarified - Morgan Responds - He's No Truman
Voice Of The People
Editor, Times-Union:For a party so up in arms over the prospect of "overturning the results of the last election" (I guess that means we will have Bob Dole for president, after all), Indiana Democrats are certainly pulling no punches in their attempts to remove duly elected candidate Bobby Kerns from the Democratic ticket.
Do Indiana Democrats believe in the voice of the people or not?
Arlis R. Tyner, Elwood
Thanks From Pleasant Grove
Editor, Times-Union:Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church welcomed an average attendance of 90 children at this summer's Vacation Bible School. The mission project was to fill 85 treasure boxes (decorated and filled by the children) with personal items to be given to the Beaman Home and Our Father's House (First Corinthians 13).
A sincere thank you goes to the local merchants who donated items for the boxes.
Bernadene Boggs, VBS director, Sarita Carlin, Mission coordinator
Comments Clarified
Editor, Times-Union:I was glad to speak with your reporter on the phone Monday regarding questions about President Clinton, and pleased that the Times-Union contacted the Bowen Center for information on the sensitive issues we have all been hearing about recently. It has come to my attention that some of the terms I used in the article may have seemed unclear, harsh or disrespectful. I feel it is important for readers to know that there was no disrespect for the office of the Presidency intended by these terms or remarks, and would like to offer clarification.
Addiction is a difficult concept for many people to understand, especially in terms of knowing what is the difference between "normal" behavior and addictive behavior. In comparing Mr. Clinton's behavior to that of an addicted person, we can see many similarities, whether or not we can confirm a clinical diagnosis of addiction. For example, the choice to do something that one knows is likely to put oneself in jeopardy, and which is not something that "must" be done, is like choosing to shoot yourself in the foot. Most people would not make that choice. And continuing to make that choice is one indication of addiction.
Another term that I used in the article is the term "sociopath," the meaning of which may not be completely clear to some people. The features of this personality type include many characteristics we have been reading about with regard to the President's behavior. Some of these are: failure to conform to social norms, unlawful behavior, lying and deceitfulness, impulsiveness, lack of remorse (unless caught), rationalizing hurting or mistreating someone, manipulation, or a pattern of disregard for the feelings or rights of others.
As you can imagine, individuals who break rules, hurt others, or get caught making bad choices, often feel the need to lie to cover up what they have done. Not all drug addicts are compulsive liars, but most of them will lie sometimes, just as many of us have lied at some time. Mr. Clinton has been caught in many lies, and is suspected of many more. This pattern looks like compulsive lying. Only time will tell whether all of the allegations against him are true. I was encouraged to see that he is seeking spiritual advice in order to help him "resist temptation." This is a step in the right direction.
Thank you for allowing me to provide clarification on some of the points in your 9/15/98 article. It is gratifying to see that our local paper is willing to deal with controversial topics.
Cheryl L. Moore, Warsaw
Morgan Responds
Editor, Times-Union:I'm proud my son defended me. I'd consider myself a lousy father if he didn't want to. I love my son with all my heart and even a touch more now. And yes Mr. Guard I did fight for my country. I don't think I'm brighter or better than anyone who did not though. I'm 100 percent for morality but not only when it's convenient. If you want to clean house fine, just don't do it with hypocrisy. Clean every room and when Washington becomes a ghost town you run for President because if you are everything you say you are I will vote for you and I mean that.
I have now defended myself and my son for defending me. I have nothing further to say that would satisfy those who would chastise me for my opinion. Thank you.
David M. Morgan, Warsaw
He's No Truman
Editor, Times-Union:On a recent TV show a defender of Bill Clinton brought up the old story that when General U.S. Grant was accused of drunkenness, President Lincoln supposedly excused Grant by saying, "Find out what brand he drinks and send a barrel to my other generals." In truth, however, Lincoln denied the story (Paul Boller, Presidential Anecdotes 141). Also, General Grant did have a few binges but charges of drunkenness during the war were unfounded (Burke Davis, The Civil War 178-182). Other presidents have been blackwashed, too. But even pro-Clinton historians like Paul Boller (Not So! 231, 244, 245) denied scandals about Thomas-Jefferson (Not So! 45-48) and Dwight Eisenhower (Presidential Wives 340-341). It's too bad that Bill Clinton's supporters have to smear other presidents to make their man look not so bad by comparison.
Some people excuse President Clinton, saying, "He doesn't have to be a saint." But no one expects him to be a saint. At Potsdam, an army officer offered to get Harry Truman a woman. President Truman replied, "Listen, son, I married my sweetheart. She doesn't run around on me, and I don't run around on her. I want that understood. Don't ever mention that kind of stuff to me again." (Not So! 224) When the Maria Halpen scandal came to light, Grover Cleveland told his supporters, "Tell the truth." He refused to smear his opposition, saying, "The other side can have a monopoly of all the dirt in this campaign." (Presidential Anecdotes 179). No, Clinton doesn't have to be a saint to be president. But he could try to be a Truman or a Cleveland.
William Michael Kelly, Warsaw
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- Voice Of The People - Thanks From Pleasant Grove - Comments Clarified - Morgan Responds - He's No Truman
Voice Of The People
Editor, Times-Union:For a party so up in arms over the prospect of "overturning the results of the last election" (I guess that means we will have Bob Dole for president, after all), Indiana Democrats are certainly pulling no punches in their attempts to remove duly elected candidate Bobby Kerns from the Democratic ticket.
Do Indiana Democrats believe in the voice of the people or not?
Arlis R. Tyner, Elwood
Thanks From Pleasant Grove
Editor, Times-Union:Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church welcomed an average attendance of 90 children at this summer's Vacation Bible School. The mission project was to fill 85 treasure boxes (decorated and filled by the children) with personal items to be given to the Beaman Home and Our Father's House (First Corinthians 13).
A sincere thank you goes to the local merchants who donated items for the boxes.
Bernadene Boggs, VBS director, Sarita Carlin, Mission coordinator
Comments Clarified
Editor, Times-Union:I was glad to speak with your reporter on the phone Monday regarding questions about President Clinton, and pleased that the Times-Union contacted the Bowen Center for information on the sensitive issues we have all been hearing about recently. It has come to my attention that some of the terms I used in the article may have seemed unclear, harsh or disrespectful. I feel it is important for readers to know that there was no disrespect for the office of the Presidency intended by these terms or remarks, and would like to offer clarification.
Addiction is a difficult concept for many people to understand, especially in terms of knowing what is the difference between "normal" behavior and addictive behavior. In comparing Mr. Clinton's behavior to that of an addicted person, we can see many similarities, whether or not we can confirm a clinical diagnosis of addiction. For example, the choice to do something that one knows is likely to put oneself in jeopardy, and which is not something that "must" be done, is like choosing to shoot yourself in the foot. Most people would not make that choice. And continuing to make that choice is one indication of addiction.
Another term that I used in the article is the term "sociopath," the meaning of which may not be completely clear to some people. The features of this personality type include many characteristics we have been reading about with regard to the President's behavior. Some of these are: failure to conform to social norms, unlawful behavior, lying and deceitfulness, impulsiveness, lack of remorse (unless caught), rationalizing hurting or mistreating someone, manipulation, or a pattern of disregard for the feelings or rights of others.
As you can imagine, individuals who break rules, hurt others, or get caught making bad choices, often feel the need to lie to cover up what they have done. Not all drug addicts are compulsive liars, but most of them will lie sometimes, just as many of us have lied at some time. Mr. Clinton has been caught in many lies, and is suspected of many more. This pattern looks like compulsive lying. Only time will tell whether all of the allegations against him are true. I was encouraged to see that he is seeking spiritual advice in order to help him "resist temptation." This is a step in the right direction.
Thank you for allowing me to provide clarification on some of the points in your 9/15/98 article. It is gratifying to see that our local paper is willing to deal with controversial topics.
Cheryl L. Moore, Warsaw
Morgan Responds
Editor, Times-Union:I'm proud my son defended me. I'd consider myself a lousy father if he didn't want to. I love my son with all my heart and even a touch more now. And yes Mr. Guard I did fight for my country. I don't think I'm brighter or better than anyone who did not though. I'm 100 percent for morality but not only when it's convenient. If you want to clean house fine, just don't do it with hypocrisy. Clean every room and when Washington becomes a ghost town you run for President because if you are everything you say you are I will vote for you and I mean that.
I have now defended myself and my son for defending me. I have nothing further to say that would satisfy those who would chastise me for my opinion. Thank you.
David M. Morgan, Warsaw
He's No Truman
Editor, Times-Union:On a recent TV show a defender of Bill Clinton brought up the old story that when General U.S. Grant was accused of drunkenness, President Lincoln supposedly excused Grant by saying, "Find out what brand he drinks and send a barrel to my other generals." In truth, however, Lincoln denied the story (Paul Boller, Presidential Anecdotes 141). Also, General Grant did have a few binges but charges of drunkenness during the war were unfounded (Burke Davis, The Civil War 178-182). Other presidents have been blackwashed, too. But even pro-Clinton historians like Paul Boller (Not So! 231, 244, 245) denied scandals about Thomas-Jefferson (Not So! 45-48) and Dwight Eisenhower (Presidential Wives 340-341). It's too bad that Bill Clinton's supporters have to smear other presidents to make their man look not so bad by comparison.
Some people excuse President Clinton, saying, "He doesn't have to be a saint." But no one expects him to be a saint. At Potsdam, an army officer offered to get Harry Truman a woman. President Truman replied, "Listen, son, I married my sweetheart. She doesn't run around on me, and I don't run around on her. I want that understood. Don't ever mention that kind of stuff to me again." (Not So! 224) When the Maria Halpen scandal came to light, Grover Cleveland told his supporters, "Tell the truth." He refused to smear his opposition, saying, "The other side can have a monopoly of all the dirt in this campaign." (Presidential Anecdotes 179). No, Clinton doesn't have to be a saint to be president. But he could try to be a Truman or a Cleveland.
William Michael Kelly, Warsaw
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