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Show Thursday "There's much to be said for challenging fate instead of ducking behind it.'' Diana Trilling, author and literary critic Nov. 29, 1990 IHMMIS Op B Stem junk mail Me The tide of junk mail has risen to flood stage during this holiday shopping season. It overflows from the leather bags of the carriers of the U.S. mail, those trusty couriers undeterred by rain or sleet or gloom of night from their appointed rounds. It fills mail boxes and pours out of mail slots. It piles up on kitchen tables. It is a kind of paper plague. The junk mail mills already are turning out record volumes of unsolicited advertising, but now, the Postal Service proposes to encourage even greater volumes by a 30 percent price cut that would come at the same time that the letter rises cost of mailing a first-clafrom 25 cents to 30 cents, and other postal rates are increased an average of 20 percent. The beleaguered householder might cry uncle at present saturation volumes of junk mail. He is entitled to get angry ss Dccnot- - I - U Herald comment when he learns that his Postal Service is actually encouraging this daily disaster, at his expense and the expense of other patrons. I The rationale seems to be that the Postal Service must remain competitive in the advertising field, even if it means higher rates for those who use the mails for their intended purpose, the distribution of materials of "educational, cultural, scientific and informational value to the recipient." Enough, already. The Postal Commission should reject the proposed reduction s in saturation rates. third-clas- Letters Get out of U.N. : ; anti-aborti- Editor: "President Bush expressed optimism that Mikhail Gorbachev will support a U.N. resolution on using military force against Iraq," according to the front page article of Tuesday's Herald. I wonder whether I am the only citizen offended by the principle behind such a statement; the president of the United States of America is waiting for the approval of a communist dictator before taking further action in a military move to which he has already committed hundreds of thousands of American lives! I am appalled that the sovereignty of the United States has so quickly and meekly been given a back seat in importance to the UJf. by those who have taken an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States. Pray tell, when the U.N. is the governing body of the world, what importance will our Constitution (and its declaration that "Men .. are endowed by their Creator" with rights) be given? While idealists expect that the U.N. will ensure peace and justice, realists who have studied the U.N. note that "concentrating in any repository the kind of power needed to ensure peace is setting the stage for its certain use to create tyranny ... As long as individual nations exist, each serves as a brake on the designs of any ambitious megalomaniac." (McManus, Nov. 1990) Within our own form of government, checks and balances are necessary elements to deter any branch of government from monopolizing too much of the power. Who will check the U.N.? I urge those who disagree with Bush and Gorbachev's "new world order" as I do to flood their representatives with letters demanding the United States cancel membership in the United Nations immediately. Let's govern ourselves; let's answer to our own consciences for our actions, not to the U.N. Christie Nuttall Orem Costs will increase Editor: Utah County formed a major Task Force to solve our critical shortage of affordable housing for students and persons of modest income. After a year's study, their "solutions" are ready. But, in true bureaucratic fashion, virtually all their published recommendations are designed to increase the cost of housing and not make it indeed more unaffordable less so, by forcing housing developers to upgrade their landscaping, playgrounds, roadways, parks, fencing, night-lightin- g, handicapped access, etc. The recommendations would make housing but not more affordable better and safer or less expensive. Dr. Dwane J. Sykes Orem Remove exceptions Editor: State senators and representatives from Utah County districts, in the upcoming legislative session, will have the privilege and responsibility of serving their constituents in an area of unprecedented importance within Utah. They will have the honor of voting on the abortion bill compiled by the Abortion Task Force, of which some local legislators are members. Perhaps no legislation has ever been followed so closely by such a wide spectrum of Utahns. If they have been taking note of the sentiment presented at the public hearings held throughout the state, they are aware of the consistently strong pro-lif- e stand taken by the vast majority of those who testified, and especially of those who testified in the Orem meeting. Legislators, the citizens and taxpayers of Utah are well aware of the probability that a strong bill, if it becomes law, will eventually find its way to the Supreme Court. We are fully aware who will pay all costs incurred, and we are willing to pay those costs, if they are for the defense of a law that represents what the people of Utah anti-aborti- want. Those able to attend the hearing in Orem last month, know that the preponderance of testimony implored the Task Force to eliminate all exceptions from the proposals then under consideration. We know what happens to contested laws when exceptions are included. They are inevitably defeated by lawyers who can use the exceptions to punch holes in the law and declare it unconstitutional. But an law with no exceptions eliminates the legal loopholes while putting Utah on record as having the strong pro-aborti- anti-aborti- est law in the country. And what better state to be in the forefront Once the Utah law passes the legal tests, it will become a model for other states. Our legislators will have the distinction of being a part of the Legislature that made history. Unfortunately, in spite of all the requests for a bill with no exceptions, the Task Force has bowed to pressure and produced a watered-dow- n piece of legislation. Granted, it may be as strict or more strict than bills proposed in other states, but it is not what the people of Utah want. Senators and representatives, it is up to you. You must take the initiative to modify the proposed abortion bill by removing those exceptions that permit abortion. WHILE EXCAVATIA6 AT THE FUTURE SITE OF SEVEN PEAKS SKI RESORT, WORKERS ACCIDENTALLY UNCOVER' THE- AV5TERI0US AND DREADED "FAULTS "OF UTAH... n D. Paul Fay American Fork Seeing beyond Editor: Monday night over 100 people in their 70's and over were treated to a delicious tradi- tional Thanksgiving dinner and some lively entertainment, by the BYU 122nd Ward. I was one of those invited. We were made welcome by those young students and were so pleased that they sat down at the tables and visited with us. They shared their experiences in the mission field, their activities, and their goals. They asked us questions about our background, our families, our activities, and seemed genuinely interested in our answers. We just want to express our thanks to these choice young people who can see beyond the white hair and wrinkles, who took time to get acquainted with those of us who are on the way out! Freda M. Ross Provo Maw left legacy Editor: The passing of former Governor Herbert B. Maw, November 17, deserves recognition here in Utah County for his involvement in keeping Geneva Steel operating after World War n. It was initially built to provide an inland source of steel should Japan attack steel plants on the coast But after the war, it was slated for demolition. Despite much local work to interest steel companies in buying it none of them showed any interest Governor Maw went to Pittsburgh and talked to U.S. Steel executives. They were reluctant because they were afraid that if they purchased it the Department of Justice would prosecute them activities. Governor Maw solicfor anti-truited the help of Nevada's powerful Senator Pat McCarran, who was trying to encourage industrial development in the Mountain West Senator McCarran went to the Attorney General and got his assurance that no action would be taken against UJS. Steel, and the sale was made. That's how the good industrial wages were kept in Utah Valley, and Governor Maw was a critical player. He had great interest in diversifying job opportunities in Utah at a time when agriculture, mining, and government work were about all we had. Utahns were getting a pretty good education but had to leave the state to find work. After the war, he set up a small state office to encourage companies to expand into Utah, but when he left office, Governor J. Bracken Lee shut it down because he viewed it as a waste of tax money. Governor Calvin Rampton rejuvenated the idea with great success, as Ramp-ton- 's Raiders brought in one company after another with thousands of jobs in diversified industries. Governor Scott Matheson carried on that it to emphasize g activity and fine-tunjobs in clean occupations. Today, it is no longer controversial, but it was when Governor Maw, a man of great vision, first started it We could do with more great leaders of his calibre today. Maurice P. Marchant Provo st good-payin- The wimp factor Editor: President Bush has been referred to in past times as a "wimp." What is a wimp? If he decides that in the best interests of all concerned, to withdraw his military hardware from the Gulf, would this mean that he's a "wimp," or that he is, in retrospect a kind, and gentle humanitarian, rather than a macho tough hombre? I dont know I'm just asking. Jesus said, "Love your enemies" why it just might work! not, Ann Johnson Provo Listening for answers on the Gulf - WASHINGTON (AP) At Senate hearings on President Bush's Persian Gulf policy, the answers count less than the questions. And a question that's being asked repeatedly is why the administration seems to be in a hurry to risk military action instead of waiting for economic sanctions to force Iraq out of Kuwait. There is no answer. Threatening a military offensive doesn't mean there's going to be one. But as long as it's credible, a threat can be a weapon too. "The president is talking to many audiences," said James R. Schlesinger, the former secretary of defense and CIA director. "He is not only talking to the American people, he is talking to the United Nations, he is trying to convey to Saddam Hussein that he is prepared, if need arise, to use military power..." Schlesinger, leadoff witness at the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he doesn't know that Bush really has turned to the military option, and so he can't judge it to be premature. He favors waiting while the sanctions exact their toll on Iraq. He also says that Bush's order nearly doubling UJS. forces is evidence of American determination and will strengthen the sanctions. Democrats tended to agree on the first point but not the second. They say that the Nov. 8 order changed the mission from defense and sanctions to one in which offensive action is an option. It's the questions and comments of the senators that carry the message in Senate Armed Services Committee hearings. This week's witnesses former officials, retired generals and Cabinet officers are offering expert opinions, but they do not make decisions any more. Senators do, or will after Congress reconvenes in January. The administration's decision makers are in reserve, unavailable until next week. That's when the White House expects to 1 Walter Mears ASSOCIATED J press A WlX &J COLUMNIST have in hand a United Nations Security Council resolution authorizing the use of force to drive Iraq out of occupied Kuwait unless Saddam Hussein withdraws in the next six weeks. Sen. Sam Nunn, the committee chairman, said he favors the U.N. resolution as a warning to the Iraqi leader. "This U.N. resolution, however, is not a substitute for fully informing the American people of our own nation's objectives and strategy," Nunn said in opening the hearings on Tuesday. Nunn said the hearing schedule was set in the first place to accommodate Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney and Gen. Colin Powell, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the officials he wanted to lead off. But he said the administration chose not have them testify this week. They will appear on Monday. Secretary of State James A. Baker in is to testify next Wednesday at companion hearings before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Sen. John Warner, said Cheney stayed away this week because "he felt and it was the administration's belief, that his appearance ... might in some way conflict with the work in the United Nations." He said the administration supported having the bearings proceed. But there were political strains. Nunn had taken the lead in criticizing the order D-G- a., doubling troop strength, telling Bush that it represented a fundamental change in policy, and that he'd need a declaration of war to order the liberation of Kuwait. A Republican senator said Nunn had timed the hearings for political purposes. "The chairman is opening a presidential campaign," Sen. Malcolm Wallop of Wyoming said before the hearings began. Nunn is a fixture on the guess list of potential Democratic presidential candidates, but a challenge to gulf policy at this point would be a risky beginning for any campaign. Too many open questions. The central one, of course, is war or peace. Nunn said he does not question that military action is justified. "The question is whether military action is wise at this time, and in our own national interest," he said. Sen. Albert Gore Jr., said there is no lack of sympathy for the problems Bush confronts. "We all here understand that it is an awful lot easier to ask questions than to answer questions," he said. "I'm concerned that our debating in public what our strategy is going to be simply plays into Saddam Hussein's strategy," said Sen. Dan Coats, Sen. William S. Cohen, said there is a danger that Saddam "will view debate as dissension, and dissension as a political defeat for President Bush." But he said it is worth taking that risk so that Bush will know whether Congress and the American people support his policy before any shots are fired. So the questions continue, some with built-i- n answers, like Nunn's on the desirability of waiting for the sanctions to work. "Would you believe it would be adyisable for us to begin acting as though time is on our side and that we do as a nation have the patience to see this through," he asked. "Absolutely," said Schlesinger. d. Hearing seeks answers for 1985 plane crash - Five years after a in Gander, Newfoundland, and killed 248 American soldiers, the U.S. government will finally have to defend its dubious account of what happened. A tightly held report of a congressional investigation criticizes the National Transportation Safety Board's handling of the case. And it takes a swipe at the FBI's investigation of the crash, calling it "unacceptable, if not also unbelievable." The report was strong enough to inspire the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime to order a hearing on the crash for Dec. 4. The hearing may finally give an open forum to the whispered rumors of a terrorist bombing. The government nearly tripped on itself in a rush to blame ice for the craih of the DC-- 8 on Dec. 12, 1985. That theory was accepted almost three years later by a report from the Canadian Aviation Safety Board, which led the investigation into the crash. But four of the nine board members felt so strongly the conclusion was wrong that they issued their own report. They WASHINGTON charter plane crashed said an ht explosion may have caused the crash. The U.S. government has been strangely reluctant to take responsibility for a thorough investigation. The Army says it only handled the body identification. The National Transportation Safety Board says it only advised the Canadians. The FBI says it left Gander two days after the crash because there was no sign of terrorism, and the Canadians had everything under control Anyone who tries to get more than that out of the administration gets the runa-rounWhen congressional investigators were assigned to look into the case, they got the same ranaround. Their report, obtained by our associate Jim Lynch, calls the NTSB "grossly negligent" That report also notes that the NTSB's d. ; ) Jack I Anderson Vnr &DleVnAtta I AjiX f XrM SA ri J X.'' UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE I chief investigator on the case, George Seidlein was mysteriously removed from the investigation. NTSB officials told the congressional investigators that Seidlein "was not good at public relations." But Seidlein said he was not asked to review the final Canadian report because he could not accept the icing theory, and it was "unlikely his views would have been accepted" by the NTSB, the investigative report says. As for the FBI's performance, the congressional investigators said they did not buy the docile account that the FBI left Gander because the Canadians were on top of the case. "Such a course of conduct on the part of the FBI is, in the view of the subcommittee, unacceptable if not also unbelievable," the report says. If the FBI bowed out quickly, it still left most of a massive report on the crash which is censored. One of the unsolved mysteries is that the FBI denies the claims of a former pilot for Arrow Air, the company that owned the charter plane, that FBI agents interviewed him. The pilot claims that he was asked what would happen if explosions occurred in sections of a DC-8- . The report goes soft on the Army, accepting the story that the Army played only a small role in the investigation. But we have seen documents which indicate that the Army was doing more than to bodies. A week after attaching toe-tags the crash, an internal memo to the Army deputy chief of staff for operations notes that the Army wanted to use a "helicopter-bornprototype minefield sensor" to inspect the crash site. Such equipment is used in searches for explosives. e, multi-spectru- m Many of the families of the victims members of the 101st Airborne Division on g a mission in the Sinai Peninsula believe the government is simply lying to them. That is why they continue to ask questions. They hope that the congressional hearing will give them some answers as they commemorate the fifth anniversary of the tragedy. peace-keepin- - MISSING WITNESS Mike Harari. a former Israeli intelligence officer, was one of Manuel Noreiga's closest advisers. He would be a natural to testify in Noriega's trial, but he vanished after the U.S. invasion of Panama. Panamanian sources think U.S. intelligence agents may have shipped Harari back to Israel to get him out of the picture because, in testifying against Noriega, he could also embarrass the U.S. intelligence community, which was too friendly with the Panamanian strongman. Now sources in Panama say Harari has returned there and is living under a false name. - Energy L Secretary James Watkins has coasted for too long on his reputation as a decorated Navy admiral. He should be at the forefront of crisis management during the oil crisis sparked by Saddam Hussein. But Watkins has produced little insight and few suggestions, other than to tell Americans to make sure there is plenty of air in their tires for maximum gas mileage. The early reports on Watkins' National Energy Strategy are that it is woefully inadequate. Watkins is on his way to becoming a Cabinet casualty. long-await- |