LETTERS

Consider the facts before judging President Nixon

Posted 8/19/14

To the Editor:

I have some comments on Kevin Vealey’s August 14 letter to the editor, “Thankful Nixon ended the Vietnam War.”

Mr. Vealey describes Nixon as a “deeply flawed man” …

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LETTERS

Consider the facts before judging President Nixon

Posted

To the Editor:

I have some comments on Kevin Vealey’s August 14 letter to the editor, “Thankful Nixon ended the Vietnam War.”

Mr. Vealey describes Nixon as a “deeply flawed man” without telling his readers exactly what these flaws were. Every person has flaws. Nixon would often use mild profanities in private settings and he had trouble controlling his anger. His staff knew this and waited 24 hours before executing any order given in anger. Then they would ask for confirmation. Before judging Nixon, a person should take the time to read his bill signing statements and his messages to the Congress. Every important decision Nixon made was carefully thought out, planned and executed.

He states that Nixon was “running a failed presidency at the end.” During the last 10 months of his presidency, Nixon sent over 110,000 tons of military supplies to Israel that helped them win the 1973 Yom Kippur War. He negotiated a cease-fire, the disengagement of forces and launched new Middle East peace talks when he became the first American president to visit Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Syria in June 1974. In February 1974, Nixon sent a comprehensive plan for health care reform to Congress that was rejected by the Democratic leadership. Senator Edward Kennedy was quoted as saying that one of his biggest mistakes was not supporting Nixon’s health care reform plan.

Lastly, Mr. Vealey describes Nixon’s presidency as “tumultuous.” Nixon’s presidency was not violent or disorderly. During his presidency, Nixon signed more important pieces of legislation, created more important programs and made more successful foreign policy decisions than any American president. He did all this despite the fact that the Democrats controlled both the Senate and the House of Representatives during his five years in office. Because of Nixon’s efforts, the United States and the world became a better place to live, work and pray.

Readers of this letter should Google James Rosen’s article, “Watergate: 40 years later, questions endure about CIA’s role in the break-in.” A person should be fully informed before judging President Richard Milhouse Nixon.

Kenneth Berwick

Smithfield

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