pursued. That's commendable, too, but I think we could do better. Look up
"tolerance." Webster defines it as "the disposition to tolerate beliefs,
practices or habits differing from one's own." Then look up "tolerate,"
which is defined as "to bear up under, to endure; to allow or permit by
not preventing." So tolerance is enduring and permitting beliefs that
differ from our own.
I'd like to carry that goal a step further. I tolerate tedious movies,
conversational bores, $10-million outfielders who don't hit with men on
base and people who try to improve me without being asked. That seems to
fall short of the goal Tolerance Day was shooting for. If I was pressed
for a substitute for tolerance, the best word I can come up with is
respect. I can debate ideas and people I respect -- and draw from them --
a whole lot better than those I just tolerate. Without question, this is
a character flaw on my part, but I think the distinction is worth
considering.
* * *
Finally, we have the canonization of Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport
Beach), who a few weeks ago -- when his constituents were struggling with
rolling energy blackouts -- voted against price caps to rein in soaring
energy prices. It's a matter of great curiosity to me how blithefully and
uncritically he sails through such votes. But the real paradox is the
tender treatment he receives in Newport-Mesa in light of his refusal to
take a substantial position or play an active role in helping to resolve
the most exacerbating and divisive local dispute in many years: the El
Toro airport.
His disappearance on El Toro seems to be OK with the Newport Beach
City Council. Councilman Gary Proctor told the Pilot recently: "We're not
at a point where it would be appropriate for him to wade in."
Councilwoman Norma Glover added that she is briefing Cox because "It's
very important that he know what's happening."
If he ever picked up a local newspaper, it would be pretty clear to
him that what's happening is that we're getting smashed by the South
County people and their Great Park while Cox dithers on about private
ownership of an airport he doesn't support. The only criticism I've heard
from local officials came from Newport Beach Councilman John Heffernan
who said: "Cox is right in the middle of this issue and district and has
no opinion. When is the last time he has spoken out on it?"
At least Cox has been consistent in avoiding the issue. When a local
delegation went to Washington recently to talk up the airport, Costa Mesa
Councilman Chris Steel -- a member of the group, as well as a constituent
of Cox -- said he was unable to pin down an appointment with Cox to
discuss El Toro's future. I think this failure to connect had a great
deal more to do with Cox's political concerns than Steel's image problems
back home.
So with that thought, I'll flee the country. My next dispatch will be
from the Normandy beachhead after I get home. My main concern at the
moment is whether to risk my vacation peace of mind by following the
Angels in the international Herald Tribune.
* JOSEPH N. BELL is a resident of Santa Ana Heights. His column
appears Thursdays.
