Two perspectives on Henry Hyde

I voted for Henry Hyde several times when I lived in his Congressional district.

By all accounts, he treated others well, and was respected by friends and foes alike. I was especially impressed with his pro-life stand. He helped ensure my views on abortion were represented in Congress, and was a strong voice defending the unborn.

On the other hand, I was dismayed when he defended the lies told by the Reagan Administration regarding the Iran-Contra affair.

I disagreed strongly with him that Bill Clinton's dishonesty regarding his affair rose to the level of impeachment and began to view him more as a partisan politician. He pontificated about the importance of Clinton's oath. Later on, Tom DeLay, Randall Cunningham, Scooter Libby, Mark Foley betrayed their oaths, and subsequently fell. I always waited in vain to hear Hyde speak out when Republicans let the people down. Seems Henry was always hiding.

Congressman Hyde was a thoughtful and decent man who was well liked by most everybody. But this was no statesman.

He was a fierce partisan who was not above exploiting an opponent's weakness. He could not be trusted to demand high ethical standards when it came to his friends. Sadly, he will also be remembered for coining the phrase "youthful indiscretion." Like Harold Washington used to say, "Politics ain't beanbag."

All in all, Henry Hyde was a strong political leader and advocate who worked hard for his constituents and eloquently defended his beliefs. He had a good run.

Bill Philbin

Hoffman Estates