Media Coverage of Dan Quayle

You asked had the Quayle story been botched by the media? Only in part. It should have investigated how the student Quayle had satisfied his draft board that his low grades still qualified him to retain student status. If ever there was a possibility of the exercise of influence, in my estimation, it would have begun here. It would appear that he would have been counseled to give meaningful attention to his studies or risk induction. I believe I’ve read somewhere that Quayle enjoyed golf.

Did Quayle botch the story? Yes--he should have tried the truth as it would have been more understandable and acceptable. Many citizens did not feel that Vietnam service was in the best interests of the United States. I recall vividly how I reacted to the thought of my sons being sent to possibly die or be seriously injured fighting for what I didn’t understand and couldn’t explain. I was against it. It was a common topic of discussion among families with eligible sons.

Another thing that I feel the media should report is the position taken by the Quayle family-owned newspapers on Vietnam service. How did this Indiana papers handle Muhammad Ali’s refusal to accept induction? The findings should be interesting.

Service in the National Guard is honorable and, from what I’ve read and heard, no media forum or commentator has spoken otherwise. Quayle is again twisting facts.

I have great misgivings about him being only a heartbeat away from the presidency, if elected. If he finds truth painful when dealing with the insignificant, imagine what he would say or do if faced with the important. Frightening.

My grandmother had an expression for people who weren’t believable. She would say, “They would rather tell a lie for credit, than tell the truth for cash.” Almost every time Quayle responds to a question, my grandmother’s words march through my mind.

Thank God for the media. A segment of the population doesn’t want the truth--if it gores their ox. This same segment has no qualms about lies or innuendoes if they serve their purpose. It’s time this country began loving truth again; we’ve been living a lie too long.

MARGUERITE CLEMONS

Victorville