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Past opinions provide perspective

Tue., Nov. 21, 2017

Looking Back reviews opinions published in The Spokesman-Review during this week in history.

A new president, Nov. 24, 1963

The S-R editorial board was reassured by the maturity and experience of the new president after the shocking assassination of John F. Kennedy in Dallas.

“Lyndon B. Johnson is an experience political craftsman and a knowledgeable statesman of national stature. The United States is fortunate in having one so well-qualified to assume the responsibilities of the presidency.

“In this trying period of almost overwhelming grief over the assassination of President Kennedy, Mr. Johnson has displaying a reassuring calmness that should make it easy for him to handle the intricate demands of his new and powerful office.

“The American public should have confidence in President Johnson, especially during these days of transition. There is little question that he will be a different type of president from Mr. Kennedy and that he will, in time, exercise a different kind of national leadership. Right now, he needs the sympathetic support of all men and women of good will.”

Optimism in Vietnam, Nov. 25, 1967

The S-R editorial board was encouraged by the battle for a hill in Vietnam.

“Casualty lists show that winning an obscure hill in Vietnam’s central highlands this week made it the most expensive piece of real estate in terms of U.S. lives of the Vietnam war. Official toll in the seesaw battle to capture Hill 875 was 102 killed and 172 wounded.

“This is indeed a high price to pay for a piece of high ground which, like Porkchop Hill in Korea and many other brief battlegrounds, will probably be left with a light guard or abandoned altogether.

“But the bloody fight for Hill 875 shows yet again how different a war this is. Our forces do not advance along a front driving the enemy before them as they did in World War II and Korea. Engaging significant numbers of the enemy is far more important that holding chunks of empty terrain.

“By this standard, the Battle of Dak To could well go down in military history as the most visible turning point toward a decisive defeat of the North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong.”

Stove Top stuffing, Nov. 24, 2005

An S-R editorial offered thanks for a breakthrough that added culinary convenience to the Thanksgiving meal.

Many families will gather around a table today and give thanks for the meal they are about to devour. If the stuffing isn’t from inside the turkey, you might also want to pay homage to Ruth Siems.

“The creator of Stove Top stuffing died on Nov. 13 at the age of 74 in her hometown of Evansville, Ind. The former home economist for General Foods came up with the quick and easy version in 1971.

“On behalf of the millions of cooks who have neither the time nor the inclination to stuff a turkey, thank you, Ms. Siems. You truly made a difference.”