Difference between revisions of "Oliver North"
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| − | '''Oliver North''' ''Ollie'' born October 7, | + | '''Oliver North''' ''Ollie'' born October 7, 1943 is a former [[US Marine Corps|marine]] lieutenant colonel who was the primary coordinator on the Amercian end of what became known as the 'arms for hostages' policy of selling weapons to Iran during its [[Iran-Iraq War|war]] with Iraq and diverting the proceeds to the Nicaraguan [[Contras]]. The resulting controversy came to be known as the [[Iran-Contra Affair]]. |
| − | After a long lead-in during the Congressional inquiries, Oliver North was called to testify before [[Congress]] in July | + | After a long lead-in during the Congressional inquiries, Oliver North was called to testify before [[Congress]] in July 1987. North became a popular fixture in American culture based upon his handling of the Congressional inquiry, and his ability to make the committee that was questioning him seem smug and overblown in the eyes of the American people. Although originally guaranteed immunity in exchange for Congressional testimony, a Special Council reneged on the agreement and prosecuted him anyway. North faced sixteen felony indictment counts, he was convicted of three, and those three were overturned on appeal because of the violation of [[Fifth Amendment]] rights. North's Congressional testimony had been used to prosecute him. |
| − | North ran for the [[senate]] in | + | North ran for the [[senate]] in 1994 in [[Virginia]], but was defeated by the Democratic incumbent in a tight race. |
| − | Today North | + | Today North is a political commentator on [[Fox News]]. |
{{DEFAULTSORT:North, Oliver }} | {{DEFAULTSORT:North, Oliver }} | ||
[[Category: Americans]] | [[Category: Americans]] | ||
[[Category:biographies]] | [[Category:biographies]] | ||
Revision as of 23:09, July 14, 2007
Oliver North Ollie born October 7, 1943 is a former marine lieutenant colonel who was the primary coordinator on the Amercian end of what became known as the 'arms for hostages' policy of selling weapons to Iran during its war with Iraq and diverting the proceeds to the Nicaraguan Contras. The resulting controversy came to be known as the Iran-Contra Affair.
After a long lead-in during the Congressional inquiries, Oliver North was called to testify before Congress in July 1987. North became a popular fixture in American culture based upon his handling of the Congressional inquiry, and his ability to make the committee that was questioning him seem smug and overblown in the eyes of the American people. Although originally guaranteed immunity in exchange for Congressional testimony, a Special Council reneged on the agreement and prosecuted him anyway. North faced sixteen felony indictment counts, he was convicted of three, and those three were overturned on appeal because of the violation of Fifth Amendment rights. North's Congressional testimony had been used to prosecute him.
North ran for the senate in 1994 in Virginia, but was defeated by the Democratic incumbent in a tight race.
Today North is a political commentator on Fox News.