‘A Ballad for Nicaragua’

The abandonment by Congress of the Nicaraguan Freedom Fighters may still prove to be a blessing in disguise. Instead of being lulled into inaction by the measly $36 million the Reagan package would have provided, American conservatives will now be motivated to raise for larger sums through their own efforts. In addition, though it is small comfort to say “I told you so” once everything has gone to hell, the Democrats will have to accept full responsibility if the anti-communist resistance is crushed by Ortega and Nicaragua becomes a Soviet base. That sad eventuality would at least spare us the burden of Democratic leadership in the future. The taint of such a development would cling to that party like Velcro for the foreseeable future.

ARTHUR HANSL

Pacific Palisades