A letter from the editor

0 Comments | Insight on the News, August 19, 2002 | by Paul M. Rodriguez

Dear Readers,

The recent kidnapping of 7-year-old Erica Pratt and her subsequent escape through her own heroic efforts in Philadelphia is as good an example of how citizens must act if the nation is to survive in times of peace and tranquility as well as war and unrest. Government has a tough time solving every problem but, certainly, heroic personal responsibility can ease the way.

What brings this to mind are actions in Congress these last few weeks that show much can be accomplished if people work together--and how the actions of a few can derail legislation and even the thin patina of the respectability of lawmakers.

Consider the decision of Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) to move prescription-drug bills to the floor without going through normal committee processes where consensus is forged. Politics? What do you think! The same with the year-long delays on judicial nominations. What's the hold up if it's not politics?

Maybe that's why the expulsion of Rep. James Traficant captivated so many. Sure, most said he was guilty, but more also say that the Ohio Democrat was targeted, and his actions were not nearly as bad as what others have done or are doing

That's what the mix of stories inside is, genuine news supported by facts and context--from Jennifer G. Hickey's cover story on the 2002 races and how they fit into a comprehensible pattern, to the political notebook by Martin Edwin Anderson on Janet Reno. If ever seeing the whole picture is important, these stories show why.

Kelly Patricia O'Meara's article on Enron avoids superficial one-liners and explores what actually is in investigators' reports. Ditto Timothy W. Maier's expose on Mary Ryan, the former assistant secretary of state who mishandled cases of international child abduction and was at the center of the "Visa Express" scandal.

Until next week then, God bless.