Court Rulings on Ollie North Convictions

I agree with Bruce Fein when he argues that we should drop continued prosecution of Oliver North. However, I don’t think that his comparison with Alfred Dreyfus is apt because Maj. Dreyfus was shown to be innocent of the charges against him. Oliver North is, by his own admission to Congress and by findings of a court, guilty as charged.

The convictions have rightly been set aside because our legal system was undercut by members of Congress who could not resist free television time with a nationwide audience to confront the man.

Those congressional showboaters were then outmaneuvered by the articulate lieutenant colonel, who wrapped himself in the flag and presented himself as the consummate American hero and Marine.

Most of the information on Iran-Contra has probably been brought before the public, with the exception of the roles played by President Reagan and then-Vice President Bush. The legal weight of the argument that Mr. North was only carrying out their wishes should have been countered with the outcome of the trials at Nuremberg in 1946-48. Mr. North should be considered to be intelligent enough to know and understand that.

Admiral Poindexter is in a similar position. Perhaps his guilt is greater because he is the more intelligent and higher-ranking officer.

Their previous honorable service should entitle them to their retirement benefits. Further pursuit of legal retribution for their crimes would simply be expensive and divisive.

Restore Mr. North’s right to hold public office. Perhaps he can be elected to Congress and reverse his role. Members of Congress are allowed to deceive the public with impunity.

RAY BRACY

Tustin