Today's Letters: Don't blame Democrats for Iraq failings
By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published October 19, 2007
Enough! The continued allegation by supporters of our policies and practices in Iraq that Democrats are trying to ensure defeat is offensive and absurd. It's also contrary to the facts.
Ironically, on the same day that yet another letter writer leveled this allegation at Democrats in Congress, there was a story (Ex-commander slams White House, Oct. 13) about retired Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the former commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, excoriating the Bush administration (without naming names).
According to Sanchez, defeat in Iraq is not a matter of if, but when, and it is not because of Democratic efforts, but because of Republican incompetence and negligence.
So, please, let's end this ridiculous demagoguery and start listening to our military leaders. Or are they now part of the Democratic "strategy" for defeat?
Andrew Patten, Tampa
A duty neglected
Lt. General Ricardo S. Sanchez unquestionably had a duty to support his president, but he also had a moral duty to speak out when he witnessed or was ordered to commit immoral acts against others. Active duty military personnel do not relinquish their rights as citizens of the United States, regaining them only after discharge or retirement.
Following orders was not a good excuse in the Nuremberg trials. What makes it a good excuse today?
Willi Rudowsky, St. Petersburg
Republicans are too silent on troubled administration
It is understandable that Republicans running for re-election are distancing themselves from the horribly failed Bush administration. What is not understandable is the lack of Republican protest over an illegal, unnecessary war, over secret prisons and torture, and over unwarranted spying on American citizens. In the face of an administration that has violated our Constitution and debased our democracy, the silence of the Republican lambs has been deafening.
Political experts note that incompetence and corruption in the Bush administration have greatly weakened the Republican Party. Some good should come of this. Great numbers of Republicans - religious extremists, hate groups of all description, warmongers and NRA gun-worshippers - will now have less say in running our country.
Next year, we need to sweep spineless Republicans out of office and replace them with legislators with backbone who will defend our Constitution, preserve our democracy and raise our moral standards back to a high level.
George Bush and Dick Cheney have left a stain in the White House that will take decades to remove.
Bill Fanning, Hudson
Unilateral sacrifice
I am disgusted with the lack of action on the part of the spineless Democrats, and the heartless Republicans to get us out of this senseless war. If any of our leaders in the executive branch had gone to Vietnam I feel sure we would never have gone into this no-win nonsense.
I remain convinced that the war is about profits for the likes of Blackwater, Halliburton, Exxon, et al., and has very little to do with fighting terrorism.
While watching the excellent PBS series, The War, I was taken by the sacrifice of the home folks during World War II. These days, "the Army has gone to war, while America has gone to the mall!"
So here is what I have decided to do: Until this war is ended, I will follow the example of my parents and grandparents during the "Big One," and limit my expenditures to necessities. I'm not going to the mall.
Jim Porter, Clearwater
Protesters are present Oct. 13, letter
Supporting our troops
I would like to refute the slanted version of the "peace vigil" at Edgewater Park in Dunedin. It is a far cry from the truth to state that they only receive "at most, four or five thumbs down."
We have been countering these protesters for three months with signs of support for our troops. Our ranks have grown to rival the number of protesters present each week.
We also receive heartening and enthusiastic support from rush-hour traffic, and would like to invite all who wish to show support for our valiant men and women of the military to gather with us.
Some members of our group have family serving in Iraq, and the morale boost they receive from our pictures and videos are appreciated a great deal more than the vitriolic displays represented by this so called "peace vigil."
Please bring signs, flags, yellow ribbons, etc., to Edgewater Park (Alt. U.S. 19 and Main Street in Dunedin) every Wednesday from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Derrick Haefs, Safety Harbor
Campaign in Fla? They don't dare Oct. 16,
Unfair punishment
The one thing the leaders of the Democratic National Committee and the voters in other states forget is that "punishing Florida" for past or present decisions does not "punish" the state. It punishes the individual voters, who had nothing to do with the decisions.
A similar situation would be the decision of a teacher to give an F grade to everyone in the class when one or two students cheat on a test. Is that fair? I don't think so.
Judith Black, Oldsmar
Personal contact needed
I had been throwing the Democratic Party solicitations into "File 13" along with the other junk mail, but now I have decided to answer each one with the following comment:
"I will be glad to contribute to your campaign, as we need a Democrat in the Oval Office if there is a chance to save our democratic republic. But first I need you to tell me in person how you intend to bring our troops home safety, protect our children's health both mentally and physically, and bring reasonableness to a fair and equitable tax system. Unless and until you speak in person to the general Florida voters, I intend to write in Al Gore's name for president on Jan. 29, 2008, and keep my checkbook closed."
Gail Wohl, South Pasadena
GOP hopeful floats on despite odds Oct. 15, story
Paul is for freedom
Thank you for getting a story about Ron Paul on the front page. I think the piece presented Paul in a balanced light.
Those of us who usually vote Libertarian do so because Libertarians and their counterparts in the GOP represent the true moderates. We want freedom in all aspects of life not just private issues, like Democrats, or economic issues, like Republicans. We believe that to be truly free is to have the best of both worlds.
You have to ask yourself: What has my respective dominant party really delivered to me, the average citizen, in my lifetime? If you answered truthfully, it would be nothing but the same dog-and-pony show every two to four years.
Ron Paul represents what libertarian-leaning people want and that is the "rugged honesty" without the patronizing oratory and "sex appeal."
As for those in Paul's congressional district who deem him to be a nut case, they have known for the last 10 election cycles what he stands for. There should be no surprises.
I will vote for the candidate who will enforce the Constitution and insist that the government obey it as they expect us to. So far, the only candidate who has openly stated so is Ron Paul.
Joe Haynes, Seminole
Bollea was speeding, police say Oct. 17
Snail's pace
It has been almost two months since this accident and the Clearwater police finally came to the brilliant conclusion that the 17-year-old road warrior was speeding!
And the results of the alcohol and drug tests are "pending." What is going on here ? I just hope the "big fix" is not in the making. In the meantime, John Graziano is comatose in the hospital and probably will remain in this condition for life.
Hans K. Schellenberg, Odessa
I'm an op-ed columnist (and so can you!) Oct. 16
Real rapport
This was the only Maureen Dowd column I have ever enjoyed. Oh wait, that was Steven Colbert.
Colbert should give Dowd his show and she should give him her job.
Then I would read the New York Times.
Colbert for president!
Barbara Archer, Treasure Island