Steel case shows lack of moral...

Steel case shows lack of moral leadership

Chris Steel, with an assist from other community leaders, such as

the district attorney’s office, manages to navigate through troubled

waters by using the same moral compass the Clinton Administration

made famous when they embarrassed the nation with their blatant

disregard for truth in the 1990s.

Let’s see. Steel says he is willing to admit (sort of) that he did

wrong (sort of), if the district attorney clarifies ahead of time

what the consequences will be (or won’t be). If he isn’t asked to

surrender his office of public trust, the very office that he was

caught violating election laws to win, he’s willing to plead guilty

(but not too guilty). Then once the official record shows he plead

guilty to a crime, and a few weeks go by, he can trot out his

“Clinton Speak” and begin referring to it as just a “mistake.” Or

even trot out some “Bill Simon Speak” and say he’s “not perfect.”

What class.

So let’s see, what’s the civic lesson here kids? Ah yes. How about

this: If you steal your neighbor’s car, and get caught, you just deny

it. But you’re willing to admit guilt if they let you keep the car

and treat you with the respect afforded law-abiding community

leaders. Nice work, guys.

GARY E. DRIES

Costa Mesa

Leece a needed voice on school board

Our country, our state, our city and in particular the

Newport-Mesa Unified School Board would be in a sad state if there

were not people like Wendy Leece. Although I may not agree with her

on all issues, she does have definite opinions and refreshing ideas

and she is not afraid to state them.

The United States is what it is today because we have a democratic

society where a mix of many peoples with different ideas can voice

their opinions in public, make an educated decision and vote, as we

will be doing on Nov. 5.

JANELLE SALAM

Balboa