Nixon Actions Unforgivable

Stanley Kutler, a University of Wisconsin historian who wrote “The Wars of Watergate,” a harsh critique of Nixon, must walk around with a knot inside his stomach. Reliving the past to learn from previous mistakes is fine, but judging Nixon and not forgiving the man is just plain counterproductive. Kutler’s unforgiving attitude tells more about Kutler than it does about Nixon. Years ago, Kutler was one of those throwing the first stones at Nixon; now he wants to be the last.

In the same article, James David Barber, a political science professor at Duke University, states that Nixon’s drive for rehabilitation reflects the dangerous belief that Americans will forgive anything. The fact of the matter is forgiving is not a belief--it’s a reality that’s necessary for any kind of substantial progress. It’s dangerous not to forgive.

We have learned and will continue to learn from the errors created by Watergate. Now it’s time to take this knowledge and move forward. The future depends on it.

LES BELLIS

El Toro