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Show 6 - Tuesday, November 1, 1994 The Daily Utah Chronicle Viewp omt Security at White House needs improvement Chronicle Editorial Saturday, the United States witnessed the security problem at the White House this year. A man from Colorado successfully fired between 20 and 30 rounds from his Chinese SKS semiautomatic rifle, according to reports, before he was stopped and apprehended. The gunman is a convicted felon. He has been charged with willful destruction of federal property and possessing a firearm and could face charges to incriminate him in a Presidential assassination attempt. The idea that a tourist, a Washington, D.C. citizen or any unstable psycho can walk up to the White House gate and start firing rounds is frightening. Saturday's incident is an appalling showcase of incompetent national security. Secret Service agents and sharpshooters are supposedly hired on the notion that they are the best people for the job. Why then have there been two major security problems this year at the The White House? America cannot afford to have a weak security system at the home of the most important person in this country. The unfortunate security flaw on Saturday could place the United States in a vulnerable position. America does not need to have foreign countries laughing at the weak security system in Washington, D.C. Politically unstable foreign countries may even get aggressive ideas that could lead to acts of terrorism. Maybe the breach of security occurred because the White House security jobs are not as easy as they look. Maybe America needs to get off of the agents backs so that they can work on their protective strategies. Protecting the life of President Clinton has got to be a difficult and frustrating job at times, if only because of the busy schedule which must be followed by the President. Secret Service agents have a huge responsibility, namely the safekeeping of the President and the first family. The incredible stress of the job Daily Utah Chronicle SMSgf Business Hours Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm 581-704- fCiQOD I NEWS , would make some agents nervous. The President does not need to have a nervous security system, he needs a secure security system. Sure, the sharpshooters and Secret Service agents should have been more on target. The 30 rounds of loose gunfire should not have occurred, and in a perfect world it would not have occurred. White House security did not choose to open fire on the gunman. The situation was successfully dealt with, even if the decision of White House security did not meet with public approval. Protection needs to come before anything and the United States should be able to provide adequate safeguarding for the leaders of this country. The Secret Service needs to look at measures to ensure the safety of this nation's leaders and make sure another unfortunate situation does not occur. Tne Chronicle is an independent student newspaper. Unsigned editorials reflect the majority view of the Editorial Board. SENKToR...OftGNAU.v INDICATED THE PoU.5 CAVJWT WITH Vour PAW5 DOWN... NOW THEY'RE ON THE W WERE ) SNfc? 1 Letter Policy "Letters to the Editor" is an open forum to people of all persuasions. However, letters of a scurrilous or libelous nature, or those which demean or threaten harm to any individual or group based on race, gender, sexual orientation or religion will not be considered for publication. Letters may be edited for style and space. All submissions must be typed and signed. Phone numbers are required for verification purposes. Second Congressional race produces laughs and losers Bret Angell Chronicle Editorial Editor As election day draws nearer, the race for Utah's Second Congressional District is heating up. And with all the barrage of campand propoganda surroundaign-ads ing this narrowing race, the candidates deserve careful scrutiny. First Grccne-Waldholt- is the diabolical Meanid Despite her TV ads showing her soft and fluffy makeover, Enid is still a carnivorous grouch. In an attempt to promote a more palatable Enid this year, the Republicans gave her a brighter wardrobe, threw her glasses in the trash, and hid her broom in die closet. Now she's suphome- posed to be just another tender maker chalk-ful- l of Utah's values and righteous indignation. But even Big Macs look fabulous on television. If you want real insight into the political character of Enid Greene, take a good look at her ruthless campaign tactics. Maybe it's okay to outspend her opponents nearly three-to- onc and then refuse to disclose where she got $1.53 million of it. But is it really ethical to sick a private investigator on her opponents' conuibutors? It seems that Stcamin' Meanid got death threats on her phone, and decided that Karen and Mcrril's supporters might be up to some for children. After careful examination Tie of her endorsement of the bogus "Contract With America," most analysts agree it is nothing but a rehash of I'm just a writer for the "trashy Daily Utah Chronicle'" to be taken on. Never mind that Enid's hollow campaign is B.S., I'm probably just Reaganomics. It's the same old credit card government ideology promulgated by supposedly frugal conservatives that says Congress can cut taxes, keep With all the barrage of campaign ads and propoganda sunoundingthismnrmmng race, the candidates deserve careful scrutiny. thing. Oh well. Stupidity and futile idealism have already taken hold of her campaign, so I guess nobody would mind a little paranoia. It is surprising to see that Utahns didn't laugh her out of the primaries when she first proposed a $500 tax cut popular social programs, and raise defense spending. Enid doesn't like to remind us that voters signed the same contract in '80. '84, and '88 to the costly tune of a three trillion dollar deficit But what do I know? Like die classy new powerhouse of journalism called Trumpeting Elephant might tell you, on-h- ead brain-dea- d another liberal it in has for who dog Republicans. But there's more important people to scrutinize than Meanid. Take Merril Cook, who perfected the forte of being a loser before Beck read his first Douglas Coupland book. Merril has been hunting for office ever since the GOP Good 01' Boys network snubbed him so many years ago. Though his campaign ads come across as somewhat persuasive, Merril just doesn't measure up to the other candidates. At the ASUU-sponsore- d debate held last Merril in an hour waltzed Thursday, late and desperately tried to stay afloat throughout the evening. Though Waldholtz and Shepherd appeared relaxed, sharp, and prepared, it was quite evident that the candidate's responses were purely improvisational. The more he spoke, the more it seemed Cook was in over his head. Cook was once leading Waldholtz, but ever since the major debates, his campaign has dived rapidly downward. Hopefully one of these days Merril will figure it out. Until then, Utah's Second Congressional District will keep voting for Karen Shepherd. Shepherd is the only candidate with real experience who has produced real results in Washington D.C. After voting on the 1993 budget, Congress successfully reduced the deficit drastically hasn't haptwo years in a row-wh- ich pened since Harry Truman. Shepherd helped with crime legislation and the environment, as well. Shepherd has proven her integrity and helped reform politics as she said she would. Sure, Shepherd is far from perfect. But when compared to the other two jokers running, she's the best man for the now! job-especi- ally |
