Endorsements and editorials are made solely by the ownership of this newspaper. As is the case at most newspapers across the nation, The Spokesman-Review newsroom and its editors are not a part of this endorsement process. (Learn more.)
Past opinions provide perspective
Looking Back reviews opinions published in The Spokesman-Review during this week in history.
Beirut disaster, Oct. 25, 1983
An S-R editorial addressed the truck bomb attack on U.S. Marine compound in Beirut, which killed 241 U.S. and 58 French peacekeepers.
“For weeks, Americans have appealed to President Reagan to remove the Marines from Lebanon. Now he can’t. Strong as the temptation is to high-tail it for home, outright withdrawal now is politically impossible. Sunday’s bombing of the Marines command post in Beirut precludes a graceful exit by the Marines anytime soon.
“Leaving now, the United States would suffer an irreparable blow to its international credibility. The United States never again could conduct its foreign policy from a position of perceived strength.”
It concluded: “The Reagan administration faces a Herculean challenge. The United States does not wish to be drawn into a shooting war, but at the same time it does not wish to be humiliated.”
Cuban Missile Crisis, Oct. 28, 1962
An S-R editorial responded to a televised speech by President John F. Kennedy announcing that U.S. spy planes had discovered Soviet missile bases in Cuba.
“President Kennedy certainly should have the support of the American people in his insistence that the Soviet government should stop its missile activity in Cuba. Already under pressure from the worldwide Communist conspiracy and from well-intentioned pacifists for instituting a naval blockade around Cuba, Mr. Kennedy has delineated the issue at the moment and has refused to be blackballed by Soviet Premier Khrushchev on the question of American bases in Turkey.”
It continued: “But the blockade itself would not automatically dismantle the Red missile bases and relieve the threat. Hence one of the major questions at issue in this crisis is the capability of the already installed Soviet missiles to attack the United States from Cuban soil.
“The Kennedy administration lost many months in the preparation for this showdown by refusing to recognize the Soviet arms buildup in Cuba. From reliable sources among Cuban exiles there had been plenty of information made available on the scores of ships that had been landing military equipment and supplies, troops and technicians.”
Halloween, Oct. 27, 2001
An editorial noted the change in costumes in the first Halloween after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
“The police are expected to be out in force this Halloween. Ditto for firefighters and military personnel. And don’t be alarmed if Uncle Sam knocks on your door; he’s probably just looking for candy. For once in a long while, Hollywood isn’t driving the popularity of Halloween costumes. This year, the national trend happily focuses on real heroes and patriots.
“Sure, there will be lots of Scooby Doos and wizards, but you’re just as likely to see Miss Liberty and soldiers in camouflage. Alongside traditional spooky accessories, merchants have stocked – and some have even sold out of – police badges, firefighter helmets and patriotic goods.”