European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - March 6, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse Page to the stars and stripes George will Tower debate reminiscent of Mccarthy tactics sen. Tim Wirth a col voted against John Tower in the armed serv ices committee because although there was no smoking gun the ground was covered with empty and Wirth worried that Rumore cartridges of Tower s womanizing set an example that might cause women in the military lobe discriminated Wirth will not talk about specifics be cause that would be unfair. We know everyone is trying to be fair. Regarding the allegations. Sen. Jeff Bing Aman. D-n.m., stresses Quantity Over qual Ity. He voted against Tower because the allegations cartridges came from a great Many unconnected Dixon d-ii1., another Quantity Man is impressed that the firestorm of allegations has not slopped. Many allegations arc he says merely rumours and innuendo but read this carefully other allegations offer cause for considerable docs Dixon think they Are True All he says is there May not be a smoking gun. But there is an abundance of smoke smoking cartridges perhaps. Sen. John Glenn. A Ohio. Says the effectiveness of an officeholder depends on perceptions and in Tower s Case they May not be fair i agree with that May not be fact but the perceptions arc there. Thus a confirmation process that began purporting to pursue the truth ends by de Claring the truth irrelevant. However sen. John Breaux a la. Explains that we Are witnessing senatorial idealism we ought to be looking for the very Best we can find in the nation. The president has the right logo out and Fin that person but the Senate has an Obliga Tion to determine whether in fact this is the Best we can find out there in the whole country so the Senate s we preferences Are at least of equal weight with those of the Man who wins the presidential election. A. Adding them up the reasons for reject ing Tower include alleged drunkenness that no senator serving with Tower claims to have Ever seen but which most democrats now say they believe on the basis cartridges gathered by the Fri. William Buckley undefined and undocumented Romaniz the appearance of conflicts of interest More about which in a moment. And the Senate s thirst for the Best. A Rule in Washington when four Rea sons Are Given for doing something the real reason is none of the tour. Sen. Sam Nunn d-ga., was most Wor ried about Tower s use of alcohol. The Tower pledged not to touch it. Then Nunn changed his emphasis. Nunn was Clear about Only what he was not saying i m not saying he Sattl that Tower As a Pri vate consultant improperly gave information to defense contractors. Bui it s the appearance that is so now is it really asking too much to ask Nunn who has rendered an emphatic judgment on Tower to be comparably dear Aboul his reasons for the judgment it is simply smarmy for him to Issue these simpering disclaimers i m not saying while destroying a Man s reputation career and life with studied ambiguities. Does Nunn think Tower today Hasan alcohol problem has Nunn decided thai Tower behaved unethically As a consultant if Nunn cannot decide he should defer to the presidential decision on Tower m in a hopeless situation Nunn says because he cannot reveal his reason. For trashing Tower. Fri reports air confidential. They also Are when confusing contradictory and inconclusive. Because the while House has characterized the re ports differently than Nunn has Nunn has threatened to reopen the hearings and subpoena people for testimony under oath. That he says would be "unfortunate."oh?-for whom not Tower who can hardly be More injured. It might be unfortunate for the patrons of the monocle restaurant because All inc employee would be testifying one claims to have seen Tower drunk a dozen say they never did and it would be interesting to hear from the Man who says he saw Tower drunk in Washington on dates when Tower was in Pakistan Texas and Seattle. If it is fair to judge Tower for appear ances it is at fair to Nolc thai Nunn appears to be taking this personally. As Nunn likes to say i m not saying that heis. But there is a perception thai this is simply a Power struggle. The perception May be unfair but we know How seriously Nunn and his allies take perceptions. Some democrats arc behaving the Waysome republicans did Between 1949 and ,1952, when they had been too Longwith. Out the sobering responsibility of executive Power As democrats Bandy Alle Gallons,1 try something. Try substituting the phrase allegations of communist sympathies for allegations of alcohol abuse or womanizing or conflicts. Of interest. Then see what you think of the Fla Vor of this senatorial High mind Cinesi. As some earlier senators Mccarthy and Jenner and others understood empty cartridges Are the perfect ammunition for character assassinations. Wunn Glon poll Winlon amp do not envy William Bennett it in t Only that he has Given up smoking though that is very difficult indeed. Tens of millions of americans have Given up smoking survived the experience and will Likely sur Vive diseases of various kinds that visit their virulence especially on people who smoke. Commentators have to be sure remarked the symbolic significance of this act of self denial if. You re in the business of urging people to say no to crack you might As Well begin by saying no to tobacc6.j
