Oliver North Is Hardly a Hero

In your “Politics ‘96” column on Aug. 25, you write of that despicable man Oliver North coming to Saddleback College to speak on Sept. 20, which he did.

I do not have a problem with the Pledge of Allegiance being required before official meetings of a government agency; my father is a retired Navy captain [and] my brother went to Vietnam, so I think that my family’s loyalty and patriotism are not in question.

However, North is a criminal who should have been jailed. As an officer, the oath that you take is to the Constitution, not the president or other temporary officials. To break the law is just that: unlawful. I don’t care if the law is speeding; it is still not justifiable to break a law at your own convenience just because you do not agree with it. Change the silly law! I think it’s ironic that someone who so blatantly flouted the law should be revered as such a hero. Just shows you how screwed up our society really is.

ROD CHELGREN

Irvine