Letter to the Editor

LETTERS: IMPORTANT WORLD NEWS SQUEEZED OUT

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To the editor:

As I write this letter, the allegations linking Monica Lewinsky to President Clinton continue to increase by the second. It has dominated and commanded news coverage to such an extreme that much of the other news is not being reported

Consider what brought this to my attention. While listening to the radio on Jan. 23, I thought I heard someone say, "The State Department has issued a warning that it is not safe to travel to Bosnia or Croatia." Having a daughter and grandson living in Croatia, this news was of much concern. The person reporting this statement did not explain what it was unsafe as he quickly and casually tossed in this news item somewhere between Kenneth Starr and President Clinton's problems.

I listened for more news about the State Department's statement the rest of the day to no avail. When I spoke with my daughter in Croatia the next day, she quickly informed me that the American embassy in Croatia had called her two days ago and advised her to be cautious. The reason for the call was a situation that took place in that part of the country that might cause retaliation against Americans living there, a news event that at any other time would have been in the news.

When I asked my daughter if she had hear about what was happening in the news we have been receiving about this scandal, she informed me she had not heard anything at all about it. She was very surprised by the news and went on to say that President Clinton's popularity was very high with the people who live in Croatia.

By no means do I wish to lessen the importance of the possibility that the president may be forced to resign or be impeached. Nevertheless, one must wonder what thoughts are in the minds of parents who have children in the Gulf area where we may soon be at war. What would they want to hear on the news: a thousand allegations or what their children may be facing in a matter of a few weeks?

RON FARROW

Cape Girardeau