We all bear some of the responsibility for Iran-Contra
Lt. Col. Oliver North testifying before Congress in the summer of 1987. Photo courtesy of The Associated Press
“There they go,” the man said, glancing at the image of Lt. Col. Oliver North on the television. “Crucifying Ollie.”
It was only the first day of North’s testimony before the congressional committees investigating the Iran-Contra affair, but the hearts and minds of people all across America, apparently, had already been won by this David as he defiantly challenged the bureaucratic Goliath.
By the time North concluded his testimony, he had become a hero. Even committee members seemed consternated by the public’s infatuation with the man, leavening their tepid criticism of his actions with praise and apologies.
This groundswell of support for North was the product of many factors: North wore a military uniform – Americans cannot resist a uniform; North eloquently expressed his patriotism; North distanced himself from the Washington paper pushers, whom most Americans regard with disdain.
But the roots to North’s popularity go much deeper than that. If the letters, telegrams and bumper stickers may be considered a barometer of American sentiment, it would seem approval for what North did was not so much a motivating element as disapproval for what Congress had been doing.
In letters to this newspaper, in radio polls and roadside signs, the public has vilified Congress for meddling in the president’s foreign policy initiatives, for vacillating on the issue of confronting communism, for grandstanding before cameras for votes. North happened to be in the right place at the right time; anybody could have thumbed his nose at the investigating committees and America would have cheered.
Which leads to a fundamental shortcoming in the public’s perception of this affair. Regardless of which side of the fence you stand concerning North’s guilt or innocence, the fact is we, the voters, are responsible for what has happened.
Why?
Because many of us do not take time before an election to acquaint ourselves with the candidates. Because we tend to choose the candidate with the most effective advertising campaign. Because we vote straight-party tickets instead of considering each candidate on his unique merits. Because we don’t even bother to vote.
It seems hypocritical of Americans to take Congress or the administration to task, when Americans elect Congress and the president. Did nobody hear President Reagan say he would solicit aid for the Nicaraguan Contras? Has nobody heard their congressmen take a stand on this issue?
If you believe Lt. Col. North is guilty of crimes, and you have neglected your responsibilities as a voter, then you have no one to blame but yourself.
Likewise, if you believe that Congress’s sloppy stewardship is at fault, and you have neglected your responsibilities as a voter, then you have no one to blame but yourself.
This column was originally published by the Playground Daily News in the 1980s and is used with permission.
About the author:
Del Stone Jr. is a professional fiction writer. He is known primarily for his work in the contemporary dark fiction field, but has also published science fiction and contemporary fantasy. Stone’s stories, poetry and scripts have appeared in publications such as Amazing Stories, Eldritch Tales, and Bantam-Spectra’s Full Spectrum. His short fiction has been published in The Year’s Best Horror Stories XXII; Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine; the Pocket Books anthology More Phobias; the Barnes & Noble anthologies 100 Wicked Little Witch Stories, Horrors! 365 Scary Stories, and 100 Astounding Little Alien Stories; the HWA anthology Psychos; and other short fiction venues, like Blood Muse, Live Without a Net, Zombiesque and Sex Macabre. Stone’s comic book debut was in the Clive Barker series of books, Hellraiser, published by Marvel/Epic and reprinted in The Best of Hellraiser anthology. He has also published stories in Penthouse Comix, and worked with artist Dave Dorman on many projects, including the illustrated novella “Roadkill,” a short story for the Andrew Vachss anthology Underground from Dark Horse, an ashcan titled “December” for Hero Illustrated, and several of Dorman’s Wasted Lands novellas and comics, such as Rail from Image and “The Uninvited.” Stone’s novel, Dead Heat, won the 1996 International Horror Guild’s award for best first novel and was a runner-up for the Bram Stoker Award. Stone has also been a finalist for the IHG award for short fiction, the British Fantasy Award for best novella, and a semifinalist for the Nebula and Writers of the Future awards. His stories have appeared in anthologies that have won the Bram Stoker Award and the World Fantasy Award. Two of his works were optioned for film, the novella “Black Tide” and short story “Crisis Line.”
Stone recently retired after a 41-year career in journalism. He won numerous awards for his work, and in 1986 was named Florida’s best columnist in his circulation division by the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors. In 2001 he received an honorable mention from the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association for his essay “When Freedom of Speech Ends” and in 2003 he was voted Best of the Best in the category of columnists by Emerald Coast Magazine. He participated in book signings and awareness campaigns, and was a guest on local television and radio programs.
As an addendum, Stone is single, kills tomatoes and morning glories with ruthless efficiency, once tied the stem of a cocktail cherry in a knot with his tongue, and carries a permanent scar on his chest after having been shot with a paintball gun. He’s in his 60s as of this writing but doesn’t look a day over 94.
Contact Del at [email protected]. He is also on Facebook, twitter, Pinterest, tumblr, TikTok, and Instagram. Visit his website at delstonejr.com .