Letters to the Editor

>Two wrongs

A July 11 letter concerning President George W. Bush's decision to commute Scooter Libby's prison sentence contained a significant factual inaccuracy. The letter writer asserted that "two-faced hypocrites like New York Sen. Charles Schumer said nothing" following President Clinton's inappropriate use of his pardon power in early 2001. In fact, a simple Google search reveals several hundred news articles detailing Schumer's strong criticism of Clinton's questionable pardons. For example, in reference to one of Clinton's pardons, CNN quotes Schumer as saying, "There is no excuse for pardoning a fugitive from justice. He should be tried by the rules and play by the rules." Perhaps before calling a United States Senator a "two-faced hypocrite," the letter writer should check his facts.

The letter writer goes on to suggest that Bush's decision to commute Libby's prison sentence is somehow acceptable because Clinton also engaged in questionable use of his pardon privilege. In essence, this argument relies on the faulty premise that two wrongs make a right. Rather than measuring our political leaders against the misdeeds of the opposition party, we should be demanding honest, competent decision-making from politicians of all political stripes.

Michael Everson

law student

Good character

A July 11 letter writer believes "(the Democratic Party) wrote the book on abusing the chief executive's pardon privilege." Let's see:

George H.W. Bush pardoned the terrorist Orlando Bosch and the spy Myra Soble, as well as a handful of perjurers (Republican administrations just can't seem to help themselves - Iran Contra, anyone?), embezzlers, drug dealers, and yes, tax evaders. Ronald Reagan pardoned an equally distinguished cast of criminals. I guess they took that book to heart, eh?

The writer continues: "Anybody else out there remember even one person of good character stepping up to the plate like that to demand intervention on behalf of Vignali and Rich?"

How about Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak? He is apparently, to the writer, not a "person of good character," as Barak was one of the Israeli officials to plea for clemency for Rich. Also note that Rich's attorney was none other than … wait for it … I. Lewis Libby. I guess according to the writer's standards, the very man he believes was so badly mistreated by the justice system is also not a "person of good character."

Looking at the Libby investigation reveals that it was instigated by the Bush Administration's CIA, approved by the Bush Administration's Justice Department, prosecuted by a U.S. Attorney appointed by Bush, in front of a judge appointed by Bush. Libby was convicted of the serious felonies of obstruction of justice and perjury. I realize that this scares the bejeezus out of the Right-Wing authoritarians, because if Libby can get sent up for his crimes, then who in the Bush Administration is safe? After all, Libby's crimes pale in comparison to those committed by others in the radical Bush Administration.

Like everything else, IOKIYAR - It's OK If You're A Republican. Rule of law, indeed. I realize that Republicans are constitutionally incapable of feeling shame, but for them to showcase their hypocrisy in such a way is truly astonishing. It's almost as if they think they'll get away with it. Oh, wait …

Mike Westberg

Bell Museum of Natural History

Paper ballots

Hey! Twin Cities and suburban residents! Take action against computerized voting. Demand continuation of using paper ballots during local to national elections. Contact your members of Congress, senators and the secretary of state. Talk to their staff about your concerns. Be part of history! Find your representatives, contact information on Google or call your local library. Whether Republican, Democrat or otherwise, we must safeguard the integrity of our voting rights and methods.

Barry Peterson

University alumnus

The Farm Bill

Congress is discussing the Farm Bill this summer, which has the power to improve the lives of millions of small farmers in the United States. Congress needs to reform this bill to make this change, and we have one chance every five years to ask Congress to do it.

Currently the Farm Bill encourages farmers to overproduce food and sell at an impossibly low price. This is good for big businesses, but even small American farmers can't compete with these artificially low prices. Same with farmers all around the world.

I urge you to write/call/e-mail your Congress person and senator to reform the Farm Bill so that small farmers in America can live comfortably. Visit www.one.org for more information.

Nirjhar Dutta

University undergraduate