Today's Letters: U.S. troops expected to fill far too many roles in Iraq

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published June 21, 2007

A tip, a visit, an arrest June 19, story 

After viewing these pictures and captions, I harkened back to my days as a company commander of an Army training unit at Camp Roberts and Fort Ord, Calif. It was basic training that included physical fitness along with all of the necessary weaponry and combat training to become an effective and efficient soldier capable of defeating the enemy under all conditions. Oh, how far we have strayed.

Our soldiers now must be police, politicians, peacekeepers, parental role models, photogenic protagonists, etc. GIs were never issued handcuffs; only MPs had them.

I support our troops and have total confidence that they will carry out the mission they are ordered to complete. It is a shame, though, that our leadership is continuing to use them for missions never envisioned.

Drinking tea in full battle gear and then later handcuffing someone away from the hospitable family so as not to embarrass them is not a job for a soldier.

They deserve and have earned better.

Sheldon Schwartz, St. Petersburg

A side we don't see

Your front-page coverage of the arrest of a suspected bomber in Iraq showed the positive side of our conduct of the Iraq war that today's media rarely offer the public.

We have done a lot wrong over there, but there has been plenty of good as well. You are to be commended.

John H. McFadden, Inverness

More than lip service

When it comes to "supporting our troops" overseas, is it enough to ask others to do what the political leaders of this country fail to do?

One of the most desired and hopeful wishes of servicemen and women separated from family and friends is to contact and speak directly to their loved ones as often as possible. There is no sign or indication that our leaders have made an effort to make this possible by at least providing free, renewable time for each combatant to call home on a regular schedule. This should be an entitlement for exposing these brave service people to such horrible conditions.

An executive order to provide 30 minutes of free calls weekly to each individual serving in combat areas should be sent to both houses of Congress for immediate approval to provide the support some like to talk about.

Cmdr. Harry Serfes, U.S. Air Force (retired), Veterans of Country Place Village, New Port Richey

It's about politics 

A simple quiz for "brainiest" senator June 18, Philip Gailey column

Whenever anyone brings up the question about Hillary Clinton's support of the Bush administration taking the nation to war, it must befuddle the senator as much as it does me. She couldn't ignore the emotional outcries from the majority of citizens, who demanded patriotism from every corner in their lives.

Whether they were sincere or grandstanding, they evoked a manic demonstration of American eagles, flags and ribbons. Sept. 11, 2001, made an indelible mark on hearts and minds. Clinton went with the flow. It was the right thing to do: Get those weapons of mass destruction out of Iraq. I doubt many foresaw the eventual civil war that would result from the president's redirected missions.

If the current state of affairs has been an orchestrated effort, it was composed with the help of all the vice president's men. The president himself continues to isolate democracy from the rest of the world, making us less civilized in the eyes of other countries. Public opinion of Iraq has turned against continuing the war, yet most of us cringe at the cut-and-run option; we're not cowards.

So, Clinton is going with the flow, again. It's the right thing to do: Admit the president's failure to win his war, and take a responsible stance for future involvement in international matters, which does not include surrendering our basis of being in the Middle East.

Hillary Clinton was duped by the president, as were the rest of us. His strategy was political. Clinton's response was, and is, political. If anyone should question someone's action and there's no response, politics is the honest answer.

Ron Rae, Spring Hill

Blinded by power 

Clinton lead attributed to support from women June 13, story

Not this woman! The caption below her picture says "her support is particularly strong from women with needs - lower-income, lesser educated women." Perhaps these women believe she's going to continue the welfare and "giveaway" programs they've been used to.

I believe Hillary Clinton is an overly ambitious, power-mad lady who excused (perhaps even condoned) Bill's womanizing to keep her first lady status. Enough said!

Dorothy E. Karkheck, Dunedin

Party is out of touch 

Poll shows voters' paradox desires June 18, story

For whatever reasons, people would prefer a Democrat as president, but Republicans fare well in head-to-head polls. Perhaps this has something to do with the lack of quality Democratic candidates.

All the major Democratic candidates want to socialize medicine, increase welfare programs and increase taxes. Anyone who takes a look at countries like Canada, England or Sweden will see how horribly such plans fail the people. Additionally, the recent immigration bill that was backed by many Democrats and co-sponsored by Ted Kennedy was a horrible bill that would have merely granted amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants. It is issues like immigration reform, taxes and Iraq that define the candidates.

If a Democrat wants to win in '08, he or she needs to get in touch with the American people and come up with more viable solutions to America's problems.

Andrew Szarejko, Palm Harbor

Wishful thinking

All I want for Election Day is someone who loves America, someone who can stop someone else's war, someone who loves the troops enough to bring them all home, someone who will not lie to me, someone who will not spy on me, someone who believes in and upholds the Constitution of the United States, someone who will bring back the liberties we have fought and died for.

I would vote for anyone who has filled up their own vehicle with their own money, purchased their own groceries, filled out their own tax returns, paid for their own health care or volunteered at the public school their children attend. And I would vote for someone who truly loves America and its citizens.

I know that I want too much. I really don't expect to find this person on the ballot.

Delmar Preston, St. Petersburg

Undermined efforts 

Former foster teen says she is carrying Dukes' baby June 13, story

Day after day, I stand up in front of a classroom of young men with troublesome backgrounds and preach the importance of character. As a class, we discuss the value of respect and accepting consequences when the choices or actions we make warrant them. Most of my 9- and 10-year-olds leave my class mastering these concepts. Therefore, I wonder why it is so difficult for the Ivy League boys in the front office to grasp such concepts.

What really gets me is that the Rays seek out a young fan base by sending tickets and bookmarks to be distributed among the county schools. Yet why should I, as a teacher, encourage my students (that I bust my bottom to teach right from wrong) to go to a game to see an abusive, disrespectful ballplayer living it up in the big leagues despite his numerous run-ins with the law? This would do nothing but make a mockery of my teachings. How would I begin to explain to my students that consequences for physical aggression are ever-present in the school system and in the community - but not at Tropicana Field? If that doesn't confuse a child, I don't know what would.

Someone from the team should have to be the one to explain this to the kids, as well as to the fans of Tampa Bay.

Sandra Sullivan, Pinellas Park

Term was insulting 

Hi, summer. Bye, tourists. June 20, story

Are you kidding me? Calling tourists "pasty Yankees" on the front page of the Local & State section? I have been living in Florida for over 15 years and have come to realize being called a "Yankee" is not just an insult, it is a slur.

The United States of America isn't Korea or Vietnam. There is no North and South. We are one country united by the same beliefs and ideals no matter where we are geographically located at the moment.

Sally Johnstone, St. Petersburg

[Last modified June 20, 2007, 21:58:16]