Conclusion of the Iran-Contra Hearings

Ending in an orgy of quotation, the congressional hearings on Iranamok had cited the Constitution, the Boland Amendment, the Federalist Papers, the Supreme Court and at least one Broadway play.

But the quotation that most often came to my mind was never cited: The first paragraph of the Declaration of Independence acknowledges “a decent respect to the opinions of mankind,” requiring “that they should declare the causes which impel them.”

The founders of our republic had no legal obligation to declare their causes, but they did have a decent respect. Such respect should go beyond professional courtesy. It should not only allow for criticism, it should solicit criticism. It should recognize that anyone may be wrong, anyone may be misled by enthusiasm, everyone needs outside opinion.

As the hearings made painfully evident, there’s a wealth of outside opinion in even a select committee of Congress. Just ask.

Unlike the Founding Fathers, the people who evaded authority did not declare their independence; unlike the segregation fighters and draft-card burners of the past and the missile maulers of the present, they didn’t show respect for law by accepting the consequences of their disobedience. They sought immunity with heads held high. Too high.

LEON LUKASZEWSKI

Walnut Creek