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Show I "Everyone's quick to blame the alien." Aeschylus, Greek poet (circa Opinions B.C.) 524-4- 56 rbachev's prize To appreciate Mikhail Gorbachev's contribution to world peace, consider how Leonid Breshnev or any of his communist predecessors would have re sponded to the democratic revolution that has swept Eastern Europe. Without Gorbachev, Soviet tanks almost certainly would have crushed all vestiges of as they did in East Germany dissent in 1953, in Hungary in 1956, in Czechoslo- vakia in 19G8. however, Gorbachev gave his. tacit blessing as Poland became the first East bloc nation to install a government. In October of that year, the Kremlin leader journeyed to East Berlin and made it plain that Moscow no longer would abide by the hard-lin- e policies of communist dictator Erich Honecker. Within a matter of weeks, the Berlin Wall was breached and democratic reformers were replacd ing regimes in East Germany, Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Thus the greatest upheaval in Europe since the end of World War II unfolded without a single shot being fired. The Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Gorbachev is fitting recognition of his role in fathering this peaceful transformation. As far as Eastern Europe is concerned, Gorbachev deserves the peace namely, prize for what he did not do use force to prevent the collapse of the Soviet empire. But he also deservps In 1989, Soviet-installe- i tU -- iiL.ti credit for implementing monumental political change at home. Because of the g reforms bearing the name the glasnost, potential dissolution of the c NOHBVTBttSJ mm W NO, BuTSERlOUSm.. IVflLLVETOALL wide-rangin- STOPOP BILLS Soviet Union is occuring without massive bloodshed. Gorbachev also merits the award for negotiating an end to the Cold War. Under the agreement that is expected to be ready for signing soon in Paris, Moscow will give up many times more weapons in Europe than will the United States its allies. and hundreds I G0TA MILLION OFBLREAD W Meantime, of thousands of Soviet troops are being withdrawn unilaterally from IB-PLEA- SE UAlUAflAWUiT r Eastern Europe. If the Nobel Committee hoped to help Gorbachev remain in power, the prize is not likely to make a difference, considering the impending economic collapse in the Soviet Union. Despite the international acclaim showered on the Soviet leader, his popularity at home has never w- - vm II M MVIWCE... il been lower. Yet, even if his remaining days in power are few, Gorbachev has demonstrated that one individual can make a difference in the course history follows. l ,wC 1 utt1 That poll thing keeps us on course and I believe Mr. Collins to be more than competent, he is sharp. Keith F. Pickard Editor: Provo 1 thoroughly enjoyed Wilma Ray's letter "Wake Up America." I sense her genuine interest in humanity as a whole. And, as she points out, ethics and integrity are absolutely essential if we are to realize good will Editor: and freedom for all mankind! Watching the political scene these days is I would also like to suggest that we lower downright depressing. Politicians are so the wall of prejudice where religion is crafty they don't seem to stand for anything, concerned. If division is to be overcome, and feeling it is best to stay in the middle of the diversity be embraced, we must join hands road and avoid controversial issues. In other and hearts on all fronts. Must we not? All words, they are more interested in their world religions must be respected, just as careers than in solving problems. we learn to respect differences in individuals The sad fact that child abuse is growing in our personal families. and the welfare of children neglected, means A kindergarten student is just as valuable that more and more youngsters will become as a college graduate, just at a lower level antisocial and face the prospect that either of understanding. The same principle applies one must steal or starve. So they steal. Then to religion. There is always another step to they rob, then they go to jaU where we take if we are to grow spiritually. harden them and literally send them to As we give up mind set, and open up to crime college. Now they know how to be new ideas, amazing possibilities emerge as real problems, and a tired bureaucracy is no each of us contribute and cooperate for the match for them in attempts at rehabilitatgood of all life on our planet Earth. Humiliion. ty and love are the keys! Our government has declared war on Ann Johnson crime, war on drugs, and war on immoraliProvo ty; all unsuccessfully. Social problems are getting way too far out of hand! It appears to this writer that sometime soon children will become important enough to gain an advocate in the political system, and someone will emerge as a candidate for public Editor: I write regarding Mr. Kay Bryson, curoffice who will enter the public trust with rently deputy county attorney, who is the more interest in the welfare of children than front runner in the race for county attorney. in mobilizing PAC's. The fact that he seems to be ahead of his It's true that children don't vote and this opponent, Mr. C. Robert Collins disturbs me is not a crafty issue to identify with, so it greatly as I consider him to be the poorer will be ignored as long as possible by candidate by far. politicians more interested in just getting elected. About a year ago, before Mr. Bryson had In Utah and some other states, there are any public aspirations to be county attorney, I; called him to ask him to enforce a issues so inflamed by public differences that particular law. I was having problems with politicians won't discuss them, and prefer to Are children getting exercising visitation rights and had spoken call them close to this label? It's true that kids are with the Orem Police about how to get my rights enforced. One officer told me of Utah very close to welfare, food stamps and law prohibiting interference with visitation charitable giving processes to street people: rights but other officers referred me to the all of which are unpopular in some people's county attorney's office because they could thinking and which image the kids just don't not proceed until the county initiated action. deserve. I then spoke to Mr. Bryson about the Either we change our national priorities with youngsters and their education and situation. become a better foster nation, or we will addresses custodiUtah Code Ann. continue to decline in the management of al interference. The first prohibsocial ills. its parents (or others) from Eugene J. Faux concealment or detainment of a child, withProvo out cause, beyond the ordered termination of visitation. In other words, it would prohibit me from taking my child for a longer period of time than allowed by the decree. The Address letters to Letters to the Editor, second prohibits the custodial PO Box 717, Provo, UT 84603. They should from concealment or other) (or parent and less than 400 detainment of a child without cause in order be typed, double-spaceto deny that proper visitation period. The words in length. Letters must be signed and include the writer's full name, address declares custodial interferthird and a daytime phone number for verificaence a misdemeanor for criminal prosecution. For answers to questions about Letter-sca- ll tion purposes. editorial page editor When I first explained my dilemma to Mr. Bryson, he informed me that the second subsection had nothing to do with my prohibition for custodial parents from denying visitation rights. I then read the section to him, to which he responded that he did not and would not interpret the law that way. I tried to persuade him otherwise, but he then told me that even if the law did in fact mean that the custodial parent was refrained from denying the parent's visitation rights, he was not going to enforce it as it was unimportant to nun. I have since spoken with several experienced attorneys who have all agreed that my interpretation of the law is accurate. They have also indicated that enforcement of this and similar laws is uncomfortable for the county attorney as it tends to get pretty ugly and they are pretty busy without having to deal with this sort of thing. They have all conceded however, that to ignore a citizen's request for help is even more appalling. I have also had occasion to meet and talk with Mr. Collins. Mr. Collins has always been willing to help me without hesitation. I have had several years of experience with attorneys revolving around several legal issues. I believe I can recognize competence, Children's advocate On attorney race "non-issues- ." sub-secti- Letters regulations sub-secti- d, sub-secti- 373-505-0. al Monday 22, 1990 3 Herald comment Letters Humility and love ftr Members of Congress had a lot of gall telling President Bush that they wanted a big say in whether we go to war with Iraq. They don't seem to understand that despite what the Constitution says about Congress declaring wars, we're in a high-tec- h era of conflict. Military choices must be made quickly. The commander in chief can't spend weeks, days, hours or even minutes discussing his plans with a flock of senators. He must be ready d to make decisions. That's why a modern president, such as Bush, must base his decisions on what the most recent polls show. Do the polls show that the troop buildup can affect the outcome of November's congressional races? Is there a mathematical relationship between gas pump prices and an acceptable body count? Can a if he first declares president be that a Saddam Hussein is a Hitler-lik- e monster and a threat to the entire civilized world, but then he doesn't go in there and kill the villain. And most importantly, do the polls show that there could be a dreaded peace movement stirring in America? There are signs that such a movement is taking shape. Although it isn't big or widespread yet, all that it would take is a few shots of TV and it could marchers on prime-tim- e spread. Especially when the World Series ends and people have time on their hands. Of course, it's doubtful if there would be anything to rival the size and intensity of the Vietnam anti-wmovement, which was led by college students. d That's because the students of that day were more deeply involved in social issues and had more sensitive con- - Mike Royko g, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES split-secon- ar long-haire- sciences than today's students. And also because we still had a draft and they were terrified they might be called and would get their butts shot off. But now, with an military, students are more concerned with ecological threats to their favorite beaches. Nevertheless, peace rallies and marches are being planned in many cities. They are being organized by disgruntled taxpayers, the jobless, veterans with unhappy memories, habitual peaceniks and even people who have genuine concerns about the propriety of blowing up women and children, even if they are of the Arab persuasion. That's why we need polls. The president must have information on how many Americans are aware that the ruling Kuwaitis are still unbelievably wealthy, even though they have been chased from their Kuwait mansions into luxury suites in Saudi Arabia. Unlike traditional war refugees, Kuwait's rulers are still managing a worldwide investment portfolio with an estimated draft-immu- value of $100 billion. If that number confuses you, think of it this way. Invested conservatively, it would earn yearly income of about $7 billion. As an economist once said: "When you got $100 billion to play with, the bucks can really pile up." So the emir of Kuwait and his chums aren't exactly your typical boat people. They have enough money right now so that they could probably go out and buy themselves a new country that would be nicer than Kuwait. This is something the budding peace movement will surely bandy about. They'll ask whether we should be going to war to restore the comforts of those who already have enough money to fill Grand Canyon. Sure, they will say, Saddam is a nasty fellow for mugging a small neighbor. But do we send out the troops when China bullies little Tibet, jailing and torturing its religious leaders? No, we give China a special deal on its imports. Of course Tibet doesn't pump oil, so it has only itself to blame. Anyway, all of these factors, and many more, must be quickly weighed by a president, and he can't do it by schmoozing with congressmen. He must go directly to the key source of wisdom the ABC-NeYork w A Today-Pol- l. It could be disastrous if Bush ordered a surprise blast at Iraq only to be told moments later that the latest polls showed that only 49.99 percent favored an attack while 50.01 percent opposed it. He'd have to say: "Darn. If pencils have erasers, why can't missiles?" Elections bring S&L issue front and center - WASHINGTON Democrats and Republicans have broken the cease-fir- e in the savings and loan war. With the congressional elections just two weeks away, members of Congress and their challengers are freely slinging accusations trying to link each other to the scandal. That's something House Speaker Tom had hoped to keep to a Foley, rninimum. Several months ago Foley said that he believed Congress and the White House should simply deal with the crisis instead of pointing fingers across the aisle. Finger pointing is tolerated during years, but in election years, the rule is to keep mum about certain subjects for the good of both parties. Party leaders on both sides of the aisle had already agreed to downplay the generous congressional pay raise during the election. Foley's own party angered him by firing the first shot. Last month the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee filed an ethics complaint against Rep. Denny One of the accusations Smith, against Smith was that he tried to pull even-number- e. Jack Anderson & Dale Van Atta UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE ut strings to exempt savings and loan direcif their thrift went under. At the time, Smith was a director of a shaky thrift. Knowledgeable sources told our associate Scott Sleek that Foley was irked when the Democrats pointed the finger at Smith. Foley had been hinting for some time that he thought any open accusation against a Republican over the S&L mess could backfire. He was right, and it didn't take long. The Republicans shot back with a complaint to the Federal Elections Commission of accusing Rep. Frank Annunzio, failing to file proper information about campaign donations he received from the S&L industry. Annunzio is a senior member of the House Banking Committee. Foley had good reason to attempt a cease-fir- e on the S&L issue. GOP leaders made it clear early on that they were ready to fight, and they were in the best position to win. In June, White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater implied that the Republicans were ready to pinpoint vulnerable Democrats on the S&L issue if the Democrats tried to make hay out of it during the election. Fitzwater dropped a few names. Foley criticized Fitzwater and said the administration should stop making accusations and start cleaning up the financial mess. On this issue, the Democrats would have been smart to keep their heads down. Four of the "Keating Five" are Democrats. The five Sens. Alan Cranston, Dennis Donald Riegle, DeConcini, John Glenn, and John Mchave been accused of Cain, pulling strings to keep federal regulators off the back of Charles Keating, the biggest S&L villain of them all. A special tors from liability D-Il- l., IZj RJRSCT THE STUPIP TTOWYANP5WP RXjHT TO THE CAV4AWAJ&1 counsel has recommended that Glenn and McCain, the lone Republican, be dropped from the Keating investigation. That leaves the "Keating Three," all Democrats. The party doesn't need to see any more names added to the list. A spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said that the committee took a long time to file a complaint against Smith because it was researching his financial dealings. But other sources say the specter of an all-oS&L war prompted months of indecision among the Democratic leadership over whether to make an issue out of Smith. In the end, the temptation to nail him during an election year was too great. They simply couldn't help themselves. It's a shame that it takes political opportunism for Congress to get to the bottom of the S&L scandal. But at this point, the victims the American people will take justice any way they can get it. - CREDIT SPREE Money is flowing freely from American banks to the Eastern Bloc at low interest rates. Without Western currency, the emerging regimes cannot finance imports, acquire technology or modernize their economies. But European banks are being more cautious about lending to the East. They were burned in the early 1980s when Poland and Romania began having trouble paying their loans The willingness of U.S. banks to be generous with the struggling Eastern Bloc is surprising in light of the fact that many of those banks are already holding bad loans to Third World countries. - American troops in the Persian Gulf don't have to wait for a war to endanger their lives. Two American tobacco companies did it for them, sending 10,000 cartons of free cigarettes to the troops and using an Air Force plane to do it. This outpouring of "patriotism" by the tobacco industry is nothing more than despicable opportunism. What better place to recruit new smokers and recapture reformed smokers than in the stressful and tedious atmosphere of Saudi Arabia? The tobacco companies should do American troops a favor and send the cigarettes to Saddam Hussein. L |