ACTION TIME AT HAND IN GULF

Action is eloquence.

Anonymous

George Bush is not an eloquent man. He is known, however, for attracting people of truly exceptional judgment and ability to his service. It is reasonable to say that he has assembled a team marked by exceptional talent to manage the current crisis in the Persian Gulf. It is a most impressive group of proven, tough-minded, action-oriented leaders, the team of Defense Secretary Dick Cheney; Secretary of State Jim Baker; National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft, a retired general; and General Colin Powell, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

General Powell addressed a luncheon meeting Thursday on the Gulf situation, and the speech was carried live on CNN. He has eloquence to spare for others in the administration who lack that quality. The first black man ever to serve on the Joint Chiefs (much less as chairman), Powell is as impressive a leader as has ever occupied that lofty position.

Now that these administration leaders have the vote they need from both houses of the Congress, Americans must close ranks behind our men and women stationed throughout the Middle East.

Let us pray a peaceful resolution to the crisis, and in any case, good luck and godspeed to all.

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A big thank you is in order to Roger Harms of TCI Cable and Ron Duff of Cable Access Channel 13. Permit me to explain.

While dressing early Friday morning, I heard the C-SPAN announcer refer to C-SPAN II. (This is the cable channel that carries the proceedings of the United States Senate.) The announcer said that although many cable systems do not ordinarily carry C-SPAN II, some of these systems would be adding the Senate programming for the duration of the debate on the Persian Gulf resolutions this weekend.

I wondered whether this might be done here in the Cape-Jackson cable system, and so placed a call to TCI manager Roger Harms. He answered that he wasn't sure, but would see whether he could add it on this short notice. Within a couple of hours, he called me back Friday afternoon to report that C-SPAN II was then playing on Cable Channel 13 on our local system.

Thus we were able, Friday and Saturday, to watch the historic debate as it took place in both houses of the Congress, or later on the replays that both channels offer. What a marvelous learning experience this was, and an opportunity for all citizenss to inform themselves. C-SPAN and C-SPAN II represent a great step forward for our democracy.

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Fret not yourself because of the wicked,

and be not envious of wrongdoers,

For they shall soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb.

Trust in the Lord and do good,

so you will dwell in the land and enjoy security.

Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him, and He will act.

He will bring forth your vindication as the light, and your right as the noonday.

Psalms 37