Tit For Tat In High Places?
Three decades ago about the time President Clinton was avoiding the draft and flirting with marijuana a Princeton University sophomore named Marvin Gray Jr. was advocating racial segregation.
Today, even though he has renounced those separatist views, the Clinton administration says they disqualify Gray, now a Seattle attorney, from consideration for a federal judgeship.
You might expect that Clinton, coming from Arkansas, would exhibit greater awareness that individuals, or cultures, can outgrow invalid attitudes and be transformed.
After all, shouldn’t Gray be evaluated on the strength of his beliefs and his abilities today, rather than what he himself describes as his youthful and short-lived naivete in the 1960s?
Distressed by the White House stand, U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton, once Gray’s law partner, said he may hold up two other judicial nominations from Washington state in reprisal.
In other words, although Gray’s past mistakes shouldn’t doom his career today, the White House’s flawed judgment should be held against the other nominees, attorneys M. Margaret McKeown of Seattle and Ed Shea of Pasco.
Anyone care to sort out this mess? Who, if anyone, is on solid ground and who needs to shift?
More about fatal accident
Elmer Tiegs of Latah feels sorry for both the family of Cooper Jones, the 13-year-old bicyclist killed after being hit by a car June 24, and for Glenna Ward, the motorist.
“But let me emphasize it was an accident,” said Tiegs. “Accidents happen all the time. Accidents can’t be avoided. They can’t be legislated. There’s nothing in our society that can stop accidents.”
Tiegs said cycling clubs should focus their lobbying efforts on bike lanes on highways.
“I’m all for it. That’s great. But they can stay in their lane and I’ll stay in mine, and we’ll get along just fine.”
Meanwhile, Phyllis J. Brooks of Spokane wonders why, if Ward wasn’t impaired by alcohol or drugs, and wasn’t speeding or driving erratically, she didn’t see the cyclist.
After speculating about the possibility of distractions caused by the radio, air conditioner or cell phone, Brooks added:
“A driver needs to keep his or her eyes on the road at all times. If one needs to take his eyes off the road to accomplish any of these tasks, then pull over to the side of the road, or into a parking lot.”
, DataTimes MEMO: “Bagpipes” appears Tuesdays and Thursdays. To respond, call Cityline at 458-8800, category 9881, from a Touch-Tone phone; or send a fax to 459-5098 or e-mail to dougf@spokesman.com. You also can leave Doug Floyd a message at 459-5577, extension 5466.