For those of you who don't know the history behind Oliver North, it began when most of us were still in diapers.

Around 1983, Congress passed legislation that banned the U.S. Defense Department and the CIA from giving aid to rebels fighting the communist regime in Nicaragua. These rebels were known as the "Contra's."

At the same time, the U. S. had a trade and arms embargo in place on Iran, and Islamic fundamentalists in Lebanon were holding several Americans hostage.

It was President Reagan's hope that he could sell arms to Iranian Islamic fundamentalists with the hopes that the Lebanese Islamics would then release the American hostages. The proceeds from the weapons sales could then be used to help the Contras fight their war in Central America. This became known as the Iran-Contra affair.

The man who played the fundamental role in orchestrating this series of deals was Lt. Col. Oliver North. In 1983, he worked for the National Security Council (NSC) which was not covered under the funds-restraining legislation. At the beginning of 1984, however, the legislation was altered to include the NSC.

Despite being forbidden to aid the Contras, North continued funneling the money ($3.8 million) obtained from illegal arms deals with Iran to Nicaragua for more than two years.

In November 1986, the Iran-Contra scandal was uncovered. North, among others, was instantly fired from his position and congressional hearings were scheduled.

At the hearings, North testified against many of the other men involved with the Iran-Contra scandal. North admitted that he lied to Congress about his illegal actions and destroyed and shredded evidence that implicated him and many other public figures in the scandal. He also pleaded the Fifth Amendment (the right not to incriminate yourself) on a throng of questions.

He was convicted on three counts of obstruction of justice, destroying evidence, operating U.S. initiatives in violation of U.S. law, and participating in a cover-up.

Do you know how many years he was in prison?

Do you know how many dollars he was fined? Zero.

And why? Because he had immunity in exchange for his testimony and because he stated to the hearings that he did all of his crimes against the United States because of patriotism.

That's right, he violated congressional legislation for years and was caught orchestrating one of the most embarrassing and serious scandals in the history of the United States. And he claims it was patriotic.

Oliver North's brand of patriotism is not one that we should respect.

Having North speak to us about patriotism is equivalent to having Bill Clinton come to talk about inner-office relationships.

If Purdue wants heroes to come talk about patriotism, we should get any one of the New York fireman or policeman to come here and speak.

True patriotism is not exemplified by committing crimes and playing political games, it is done by the Americans who sacrifice themselves and their futures so that our country can live on.

Next time you happen by the Armory, stop by and see the Congressional Medal of Honor won by a Purdue Student in World War II. There you can see what real patriotism is about.

n Editorial Board: John Wakefield, Heather Mangold, Melissa Davis, Laura Pelner, Dave Stephens.