OCR Text |
Show miner ; OPINION Standard-Examiner Sunday, July 12, 1992 413A Counter-punchers, negative campaigns hurt American electors Just three weeks ago, I was hoping for an electorate and a campaign that would rise above considerations of narrow self-interest and do the right thing. Three weekslater, it is increasingly clear that it was a naive hope. Asin the presidential election of 1988 the apparent object of the exercise in 1992 is to drive up the opposition’s negatives. Neither man gives any evidence of understanding HODDING CARTERIii that what the people desperately want are not gestures and !0-point plans, but faith that their president is a abouthis alleged misdeeds. Orchestrated charges have person animated by conviction and big ideas. Perot’s accompanied and prompted journalistic exposes. Oc- casionally, you get the feeling that the legendary master of Republican hardball, Roger Ailes, is in a fetid At the end of that road lies a hollow victoryfor the cavern somewhere, rubbing his hands and chortling winner and a net loss for the country. Butit is an irresistible exercise so long as no oneis able or willing to gleefully as each timed salvo is launched against Perot’s flank. The president and Gov. Clinton are reeling from self-inflicted and less visible blows. In their cases, the voters are indicating that familiarity breeds contempt. provide a coherent vision behind which a majority of the people can rally. The counter-punchers have already proved remarkably successful. According to recent polls, the number of people with a negative view of Ross Perot doubled in less than a month. The incumbent president, George Bush, and the Democratic challenger, Bill Clinton, continue to de- Each man has reshaped his basic message in order to regain control of the political dialogue. Each man has lost ground despite the effort. Or perhapsit is because of the effort, which has been too studiedly political, ‘too cute by half,“ as the cline in the estimation of their countrymen. It is not out of the realm ofpossibility that the favorable rating of all three men combined could, by November, be lower than President Bush's standingat the conclusion of the Gulf War. English say. tence?”What is it that has shaken the nerves of so The president has the unfortunate appearance ofa marionette whose wires are all on display. His handlers decide that tough talk may make him seem more presidential, and so he lurches up to the podium, de- Someof Perot’s problems were inevitable once his background becameclearer to the public. He could not forever remain an empty vessel into which each voter could pour his aspirations and frustrations. No one initial skyrocket of popularity was fueled primarily by the blind faith of millions of Americans that he might be such a leader, and their corresponding lack of belief that either Bush or Clinton could be. As was written in Proverbs, “Where there is no vision, the people perish,” and what can be said of the people applies with equal force to those who would lead them. When candidates appear to be blank slates upon which messages are written, erased and rewritten according to the polls and the times, negative campaigns have an implicit mandate. Almost 70 years ago, Walter Lippmann wrote a passage that is eerily applicable to 1992: “From what source come these unmanly fears that prevail among us these dark forebodings this despairing impo- livers his hard-hitting lines with awkward intensity and ill-timed gestures, then lurchesoff. can be all things to all men indefinitely. On another stage the governor makes a 90-degree turn with his economic message, denies he has done But, just as he has claimed, there is evidence of an organized smear campaign behind recent headlines a program to which no onebelieves he is fully wed. it, then talks in knowing detail about the intricacies of many? It is the doubt that exists among the people. There is the doubt that there exists the trust in each other whichis the first condition ofintelligent leadership. That is the root of the matter. The particular programs that we debate so angrily are not so important. The fate of the nation does not hang upon them. But upon the powerofthe people to remain united for purposes which they respect, much depends. A presidential campaign should be and occasionally has been about the articulation of common purposes. When such powerful themes are absent, lesser ones prevail Turning the old admonition on its head, today’s politicians live by the creed, If you can’t think of anything good to say, say something negative." It is not as though recent history lacked examples of the power of ideology and ideas. Ronald Reagan is not one of myheroes, but in 1980 he offered clear convictions and was rewarded for them. A great totalitarian empire wasleveled in the 1980s by the grander dream of freedom. In 1992, where are the ideas? Whereis the vision? Most of the country’s political creativity seems to have been diverted into the perfection of negative campaigning. But our problem is not that we don’t know what wedislike. The problem, to paraphrase Lippmann, is that we don’t know or can’t articulate what we like and want. That is the task of leadership, and a presidential race is the place for it to emerge. Until it does, smear, innuendo and half-truth will be the commoncurrency of a political process and nation going nowhere fast. Hodding Carter III, former State Department spokesman and award-winning reporter, editor and publisher, is president of MainStreet, a Washington, D.C.-based television production company. Newspaper Enterprise Association LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Effort to process voter registration lauded Military noise decibel could come down I would like to take this opportunity to commendthestaff of the Weber County Auditor/Clerk/Treasurer’s office for the extraordinary professionals who have established an effective and efficient system as they continue to work toward com- I want to point out an increasing is now considered ill spent money, nuisance that cuts across all persuasions whether Democrat or Republican, saint or sinner. That is the the excuse for escalating military effort put forth in processing over No doubt the parimutuelinitia- 5,500 new voter registration forms as result of the parimutuel wagering petition initiative effort. In addition to new voterregistration, over 220 petitions were processed which involved over 13,000 individual computer inquiries to determine voter status and record petition information. This monu- tive has generated an armyof sup- mental task required collective ef> Nad reports n the igs at e the . But | will omen 's adtural surer HAT make \gress omen ning n for 1 and night ». Pat Pratt akers w act yrmer ye” is n the d onr anPress fort and cooperation to complete,a nd the concept of team spirit has been evident throughout the process. It’s great to work with a group of mongoals. port and a tower of opposition, but one positive aspect undeniable to both sides is the success this issue has had in the awakening of a sleeping giant of voter who as a result of the interest created by this one issue will be drawn to the polls in an extremely importantelection year. Linda G. Lunceford Chief Deputy Weber County Auditor/Clerk/Treasurer Plea seeks to suspend Andrews’ death sentence As a native of this valley, I choose to address the plight of William A. Andrews. A subject matter close to the hearts of many. I read with indignation the opinions expressed from rage and hatred towards this child of the almighty. it was the intentions of Selby to end my life on that frightful April evening. Should you have doubt on this contention, ask Andrews. Opinionsset forth with no obvi- was lost and because I’m alive to see it, I have forgiven William. ous credibility. Unless one has personally been in prison, a mental hospital and/or a homeless shelter, express no view, in the smallest degree on whoselife Should you question my character, inquire of the owner. The purpose of this disclosure is this; though life Perhaps we can dedicate the beauty and architecture of the Ogden City Mall as a worthy monument to the carnage and loss we ing of lawlessness. The souls of these institutions are the offspring faced 18 years ago. Knowing that under its foundation, where the store once stood,is buried the noble intentions, better yet, the noble of the home. Concern yourselves more on the direction and the path servants whose life was cut short. Of this noble cause, anotherser- your son or daughter is at odds with. Meanwhile, the wardens and social workers, stepparents in dis- vant, William Clayton penned what is living in Zionis all about, “And should we die before our journey’s through, all is well, all is well.” Finally, if you are not tuned in should be taken or spared. This despite the apparent pain and suffer- guise, will set an example to reach that which you could not. In 1974, I worked as a “clean-up boy” at the Hi-Fi Shop. I was compensated for my work with spare and mis-matched components such as speakers and related equipment. Later in mylife’s work, I came to to the noble and righteous cause of this valley, I invite you to attend a church of your choice this weekend. Heal Zion Heal! James K. Florence Ogden learn from a first-hand source that wT with yurgh ti bebuilt { riv- nmieavy DenrOpon the comre to piont the e for imisQO acr alres of r the 'y are dediny of -ipatrina TS to one » fun. ities” New k ev> two plans. soon. et. | Post Tans- “dian drew Hats 70. nediguru mpic i Ya- man place ‘hrisWard man Press Registration responsibility of individual Are you out of your minds? This is in response to your editorial July 6, “Motor Voter” bill. Just because a person can drive a car doesn’t meantheir legally entitled to vote! Your suppose to be a United States citizen to vote. There are plenty of places that people, if concerned and interested, can register to vote. My wife and I recently arrived from California. We are going to register to vote. Was it 1972 that 18 year olds were allowed to vote? Whatsmall percentage do? noise which is gradually being turned up year after year by Hill Air Force Base. Whentheir F-16s and F-whatevers pass over our city, not only must conversation outside stop, vases, dishes and doorsjiggle, clatter and buzz inside. Weare asked to suffer this imperious din because it is “the sound of peace,” and price for the source of jobs for the many. But as the Soviet Union is no longer our arch threat and the excessive buildup and employment of war machines presence in civil society is undercut. What then justifies the arrogance with which these jets fly over our city and location? I have called HAFB several times and I usually get pacification from a spokeswomanor subcolonel. I have yet to notice a real difference of decibels in our skies. Whatis a tragedy is that our youth are growing up thinking these noises are normal and could not be otherwise. Surely Ogden could be a quieter place if citizens demanded the military shut down the roar. Jock Glidden Ogden Stop payment of payroll check shocks reader May5, getting late, five minutes before 6 p.m., still no payroll now,he tells the rest of the employ- been waiting an hour since closing ees to leave the premises. Anyway the same morning I go back to the same bank that dealer- time. It’s been three weeks since our last payday. ship is with, and guess what, the owner put a STOP PAYMENT on check, everybody in the shop has 7 p.m., good news, the office managertells us that the checks are the check — I mean a payroll check. That was a shock. I didn’t ready. know they could do that. The next day, 9 a.m., at the bank, the bank teller tells me that there’s not enough funds to clear the check, go back to dealership, ask owner why, he tells me maybe tomorrow or next week. The decision is made, I quit. A Later I went to my lawyer, and another shock: he told me that was numberof people quit at the same time. The owneris real furious by commonpractice between the business and the bank. He told me to have the Labor Department take care of it. That’s anotherstory itself. Pat Toyn Morgan Complaints can be sent to Knudsen A question of truth. Can those who use political “dirty tricks” (propaganda) be trusted? Whycan the DEA “seize” property (and never return it) without due process? Whydoesn’t the government discuss eliminating fraud, waste and abuse in government instead of raising taxes? Whatis the truth about the Gulf Oil War? How long will our country suffer from the false, military dependent economycreated in the 1980s? Has the governmentparticipated in the decline of the family farm? Does the government camouflage policy mistakes from the American People underthe guise of “National Security?” Does the United States have a secret foreign policy? Whatis the Trilateral Commission? How much will “Star Wars” cost us? Will it work oris it the master of all “pork barrel” projects? Wholet the savings and loan scandal happen? Is our governmentstill “reallo- Your advocating going back to “boss” politics. How about voting by postcard? Whocheckscitizenship until it’s too late? It’s an individual’s responsibility to register. The opportunity is there. People have to get off their lazy duffs and do it. There are no political easy ways. Concerned citizens register and vote. How hard is that? Come on, your bias is showing. cating” our Social Security Fund? Whyare certain secret agencies of the governmentallowed to operate without publishing a budget, as outlined in the Constitution? If you are a writer, photographer or artist and want to do more than just complain about the deteriora- Joe Fray 628 22nd St. Ogden, UT 84401 tion of the United States, write to the following address: Layton C.M. Knudsen TSI 20 YEARS AGO July 12, 1972 WEATHER:Very hot. Highs expected to reach 95100; lows 60-65. More and more Northern Utahns were finding one of the best ways to get away from the heat was sailing. Afternoon and weekendsrevealed an increasing numberof graceful, white sails moving about on such choice waters as Willard Bay Reservoir, Pive View Reservoir, Bear Lake, Utah Lake, Echo, East Canyon and Rock Port reservoirs. At the Democratic National Convention in Miami Beach, Fla., Sen. George McGovern stood on the brink of a first-ballot Democratic nomination for president amidstrong hints that Gov. George C. Wallace would make a third-party try for the presidency. It was Wallace’s first appearance before a large crowd since he was shot in a Laurel, Md., shopping center on May15. Enrollment at Weber State College could expand to nearly 15,000 fulltime students by 1992 said campus planner J. Robert Folsom. Addressing the Ogden Lions Club, Mr. Folsom outlined a master plan de- signed to provide facilities, services, roads and parking for a student body that was expected to nearly double in size within two decades. Dr. T. O. Smith, retired Weber County educator, was the new president of the Weber State College Alumni Association’s Emeritus Chapter. The chapter was made up of members who graduated from Weber 50 years ago or longer. Junius R. Tribe, Sr., Ogden businessman, was elected vice president. Outgoing president was Sieman Bowman. ‘ : George Mamanakis, a Naval recruiter in the Northern Utah area for the past 10 years, had been elected president of the Clearfield Kiwanis Club for the coming year. He had been honored asthetoprecruiter in his district a number of times and had received the Navy Commendation medal. Aspresident, he planned to build up the Key Club at Clearfield High School. Washington Terrace’s annual Festival Days celebration was scheduled for Aug. 11-12. Jan Davenport of the Washington Terrace Jaycees was chairman of the event. Bruce Hansen and Bill Arnold were chairmen of the parade. 50 YEARS AGO July 12, 1942 WEATHER:Little change in temperature with scattered showers predicted for Ogden and vicinity. Highs 90-95, lows 65-70. The days and nights were extremely warm with little or no precipitation. A call of distress had gone out from cannersto aid in harvesting crops. Twoshifts of civilian workers at Hill Field had responded by volunteering at the pea canning plant in Clearfield. in Washington,a staff working underthe direction of Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles had begun an exhaustive survey of the problems the world would face when the war ended. An attempt was being madeto prepare a thorough-ongoing analysis that would put detailed information on world conditions at the fingertips of American officials when they sat down at the peace table. Ogden hadbegun to donits holiday attire. Dee Stoddard, city electrician, and the ladder crew of the Ogden Fire Departmenthadstarted installation of banner decorations across Washington Boulevard for Pioneer Days. A few people had begun wearing western outfits, including elevator girls and office girls in the city-county building. in commemoration of the establishment of the founding of the Episcopal Church of Utah, which was at Corinne, 75 years ago, July 12, anniversary exercises were held in the Corinne Methodist Church. The Rev. Arthur W. Moulton of Salt Lake City, bishop of the Utah Episcopal Church, was the principal speaker. Alexander Carisen, Jr., 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Carlson of Riverdale, had been promoted to the rank of sergeant technician at the 115th ordnance company, San Luis Obispo, Calif. Young Carlson, a graduate of Weber County High School, reported he was now training in the coast desert where the temperature reached 141 degrees at times. In Salt Lake City, Archie A. Imus, Jr., of Dee Memorial Hospital, Ogden, was one of 14 persons licensed by the state examining board to practice medicine and surgery. Another was Joseph B. Tanner of Layton. (ress-4 TASTING IMPRESSION Marithé and Francois Girbaud give youstyle and quality without giving up comfort. Featured: Denimzip-pocket shirt in S-M-L, $69. No side-seamjeans in super stonewashed or barely blue, $66. JRS Sportswear ZT MI I |