The Congressional Testimony of Lt. Col. Oliver North

Reagan says North is an American hero because he did what he knew was right for his country even though the U.S. people may have disagreed. Many military dictatorships defend their totalitarianism with the same idea of knowing-what-is-really-right.

But besides subverting Congress, the branch of government most directly influenced by the people, North also traded weapons for hostages and armed the Nicaraguan “freedom fighters” who are really terrorists themselves.

Many of North’s supporters argue that the intention was to install democracy. But how important can democracy be to a man who subverts it to fulfill his view of the world? In fact North’s ability to determine foreign policy all by himself does make him a hero of sorts, not necessarily patriotic but self-actualized.

When I think about the 4th of July and American heroes, I don’t think of North; I think of Benjamin Linder. Rather than making power plays, Linder lived by example. Linder decided to use his degree in engineering to help people develop hydro-electric power. Unfortunately for Linder, improving Nicaragua’s way of life was dangerous.

Linder, like North, had convictions; Linder’s convictions, unlike North’s, killed no one else. How strange to think that North probably raised the money for the bullets that killed Linder.

BRANDON CESMAT

San Marcos