Re: War weary families: "Get my son home," July 13.
My dad enlisted in the Navy in 1942. I didn't see him again until late August 1945. I enlisted in the Navy during the Korean War in 1950 - the last 24 months of my enlistment were spent in Japan and Korea. Neither my dad's experience or mine was unique.
I realize that all parents and spouses fear for the safety and swift return of their loved ones, but all of these service personnel were volunteers and they have only been in harm's way since March! They have and, I'm sure, will continue to perform brilliantly.
Your newspaper on the other hand avails itself of every opportunity to fire a broadside at the Bush administration. I read no such criticism of your beloved Clinton administration. I think we still have troops in Bosnia and Kosovo.
I am always amused when I see or hear your commercial, "How do you take your Times?" My reply: with a great deal of skepticism!
-- John Hungerford, Palm Harbor
Let their voices be heard
Re: War weary families: "Get my son home."
When we first sent troops to the Middle East (this time around), people who questioned the American government's decision were called unpatriotic. We were assured that there were weapons of mass destruction, and those who pointed out that perhaps we should hold off military action until we found some proof of their existence were characterized as traitorous. Seemingly reasonable people took to eating freedom fries.
The vast majority of Americans forgot that one of the founding and sustaining principles of a strong America is an informed questioning of the American government.
Now we see that there were no weapons of mass destruction. The situation in Iraq today is no better than it was one a year ago (different, yes, but not better, according to the people who live there). And the American military has told us quite clearly that they're not bringing the troops home any time soon.
It is unfortunate that we, as a country, chose to follow blindly when we should have been asking for information and explanation. It is unfortunate that the American media choose not to ask the difficult questions for fear of losing subscribers, viewers or listeners and being labeled "unpatriotic."
I hope these parents find a way to have their voices heard. And I hope we all learn something from this experience so that the young lives lost are not lost in vain.
-- Erin Mitchell, Largo
A demoralizing effort
Re: War weary families: "Get my son home."
You certainly did a great job of demoralizing and demeaning our troops with this front-page article.
All parents who have ever had sons or daughters away at war have longed for their return. If all their wishes had been granted, what would the state of our nation be at this time? Would we still posses the liberty and rights we so cherish?
This is not a frivolous war. It is an attack on terrorism and a message to those who would try to harm us that we will not tolerate it.
How about some show of gratitude to those, past and present, who have fought so bravely to preserve our freedom.
Mari Schala, Clearwater
Bring them home
Re: War weary families: "Get my son home."
As a mother of a teenage soldier in Iraq, I was elated by this article. What courage these families have to speak out and say what they feel about being lied to by our president. The military tells me it's sad I have these feelings and should support my "soldier" and the troops. I have supported my son for 19 years and will by speaking out. Bring them home. The troops are done. The fighting is over, according to President Bush!
-- Gloria Delisa, St. Augustine
Mother didn't complain
Re: War weary families: "Get my son home."
If I were a parent who participated in the writing of the above article, I would feel used by a writer whose interest seemed to be to undermine our president and get in a couple of cheap shots at the Republican Party.
As a young sailor (age 17) who enlisted (not drafted) prior to World War II, I would have been ashamed had my parents not unconditionally supported our war effort. My mother was proud to display the little banner with the three blue stars that represented the three sons she had in harm's way. Instead of complaining, she kept a light in the window until our return. Nor did she complain that three years passed before we saw each other for the first time after going overseas.
God bless America. God bless our troops, and God bless our great president.
-- Paul McElroy, New Port Richey
They're volunteers
Re: War weary families: "Get my son home."
The military today is an all-volunteer service. No one is serving against their will. If the sons and daughters of those quoted are not mortified by the complaints of their parents, they should surely seek another profession.
-- Samuel Palmer, St. Petersburg
The trap of oversimplifying
Re: A good president, but with prejudices, by Jay Ambrose, and Saudi Arabia our friend? Tell me another one, by Robyn Blumner, July 13.
Harry Truman wrote in his diary that he found Jews to be very selfish and not concerned with the plight of others as long as Jews get special treatment. Jay Ambrose of Scripps Howard News Service says that Truman "commits the bigoted error of castigating members of a group as if actions of some reflect feelings of all... ."
Alfred Korzybski, the founder of the General Semantics movement, would agree that this is the way we often go wrong. In oversimplifying, we fail to understand.
Robyn Blumner, in her article on Saudi Arabia, falls into this trap. She speaks of Saudi Arabia as a monolithic society focused on terrorism with no differences of opinion allowed. She says, "Saudi Arabia has been and continues to be a deeply destructive force in the world... ."
Harry Truman's intemperate diary entry does not help us understand Jews or their society, interests and desires. Robyn Blumner's diatribe does not help us understand Saudi Arabia.
-- Joseph A. Mahon, St. Petersburg
Trip is an insult
George Bush's journey to Africa is a direct insult to the intelligence of black Americans.
Bush has proven over and over that he has no compassion for the needy here in America. His trip to Africa comes at a conveniently planned pre-election time for votes and more votes.
I ask anyone who doubts my writing to consider George Bush's actions regarding the sick, crippled, blind or otherwise handicapped Americans.
-- Daniel Lombardi, Largo
The Gideons' gift
Re: Bible losing monopoly in hotel rooms, July 13
Bill Maxwell's article about the Gideon Bible was interesting. As a member of the Gideons since 1983, I would like to explain a few things he failed to say.
Gideons International is an organization made up of Christian businessmen. More than 1-million Bibles are given out throughout the world every eight days. On Sept. 10, 2001, just one day before the 9/11 attack, President Bush was presented the 1-billionth Gideon Bible. Gideons have been handing out the word of God since 1899 and members are from all different denominations and walks of life.
There is really no such thing as a Gideon Bible. The better description would be to call it the Gideon "Placed" Bible. Most, if not all of the Bibles placed in hotel rooms are the King James Version of the Old and New Testaments.
The support to purchase the Bibles comes mainly from local churches and all monies given to the Gideons are used to purchase Bibles. There is never a charge to hotels, or to anyone, for a Gideon "Placed" Bible. Each one is given out individually by Gideon members.
It is good to know that Mr. Maxwell "missed seeing the Bible," and I would hope that God will change his heart soon so that he may become interested and start reading it.
-- Bill Cochran, Palm Harbor
[Last modified July 20, 2003, 09:42:17]
