Hernando Today
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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Published: May 16, 2008
Updated:
George's World In Chaos
Apparently, an article I submitted has agitated some readers. During these exasperating times of geo-political and economic upheavals, people tend to interpret compositions by reacting to a single statement which offends them. Seemingly, comprehension is lost in blinding anger. Articles are often open to misinterpretation, as the writer is expressly limited in allotted characters imposed per submission.
Inserting some levity into my article, by "equating" (not blaming) Bush to catastrophic worldwide atmospheric anomalies, has gone unnoticed by most. Intending to rouse readers by referencing an apocalyptic undertone clearly backfired! As a great number of Bush supporters are devout evangelical Republicans, whose key-belief is the Apocalypse, posed the curious question: How would readers react to a suggestion presenting Bush as the "false-prophet?" As Bush has often referenced God's influence on his administration (which in my opinion conflicts with "the separation of church and state" article of the Constitution) would readers see the intellectual humor or find a series of unnerving coincidences?
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported, "according to Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas Bush said: 'God told me to strike at al-Qaida and I struck them, and then he instructed me to strike at Saddam, which I did, and now I am determined to solve the problem in the Middle East. If you help me I will act, and if not, the elections will come and I will have to focus on them.'"
Referring to my "Bush cut billions ..." statement, a reader "forgives me" for, what he claims to be" a mythical" inaccuracy.
In attempting to correct me, the reader inadvertently presents the redundant sentence, "The truth of the matter is these budgets are never cut. What is cut is the percent of increases to these programs. His second sentence is the definition of a budget cut!
So I forgive him.
My acronym, "George's World was Better Under Saddam Hussein" has been distorted. To explain, I use the example: One says to another, "My life is a disaster!" and the other responds "Welcome to my World!" Hopefully that's clarified.
You see, G.W. (in George's World) envisioned himself immortally archived with a presidential legacy of "the-one who spread democracy throughout the Middle East." George's world is in chaos! And had he pursued the Saudi-born terrorists, lead by Osama bin Laden, and finished business in Afghanistan, left Iraq alone. Yes, his world would be better!
Garrett Hood
Spring Hill
Earl Column Off Target
This past Thursday we were once again subjected to the musings of Frances Earl, whose columns are, to say the least, interesting and at the same time disturbing.
Case in point, her view of Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Rather than condemn the man for making these outrageous anti-American statements, she compares what he said to what some right-wing ministers have said in the past. At least those on the right have demanded apologizes from these ministers and some like John Hager have apologized.
Has Rev. Wright ever apologized for his remarks? We both know the answer to that. The answer is no. In fact, he is still making anti-American statements as he did at a recent event in Detroit.
Earl obviously doesn't like the idea of our U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite to block funds to sanctuary cities. I guess it's OK in her world view for these cities and states to provide free services to illegal's while citizens have to pay for them. I wouldn't be surprised if she finds the term "illegal alien" offensive. Guess what? These people should not be here and those states and cities that provide these services and don't report them to the immigration service are breaking the law.
Peter Stathis
Spring Hill
Treasonous Acts
After reading the article, "Wiring Puts Soldiers' Lives at Risk," in The Tampa Tribune on May 4, we were aghast. The U.S. Army issued an urgent bulletin in October 2004 headlined, "The Unexpected Killer." This bulletin was issued because of the horrific deaths of two soldiers due to faulty electrical grounding by the KBR contractors. There have been many more deaths since October 2004. The incidents are being investigated by Congress and the Defense Department's inspector general. Nothing has been done to date.
American electricians who worked for KBR, the Houston-based defense contractor who is responsible for American bases, have repeatedly warned company managers and military officials about the unsafe electrical work.
Though KBR itself told the Pentagon in early 2007 about the unsafe electrical wiring at a base near Baghdad Airport, the defense contract management agency, which is responsible for supervising maintenance work at the American bases in Iraq, defended its performance. For its part, KBR denied that any lapses by the company had led to the electrocutions of American soldiers.
In 2006, John McLain was a KBR electrician at a U.S. Embassy in Hilla, south of Baghdad. When McLain realized that testing for proper grounding was not being done in the buildings, he sent a series of increasing blunt memos and e-mail warnings about the safety hazards to KBR officials. KBR fired McLain in 2007 after he told a visiting contracting agency about his concerns. KBR bosses mocked McLain for raising safety issues.
This is no way to treat a person for being concerned about our soldiers. To date, nothing has been done regarding this issue.
Dying for a cause is honorable. Dying in vain due to negligence by people in this country is treason in our minds. The synonyms for treason are betrayal, disloyalty and lawlessness.
The people of Hernando County are patriotic people who have served gallantly in many wars. Protect our people serving our country!
Let President Bush, U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates know your sentiments. All addresses can be obtained by calling federal information at 1-800-333-4636.
George and Eleanor Marholin
Brooksville
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( AnarchistAccountant ) on May 16, 2008 at 3:31 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Great Zeus, Peter, would you please list for everyone what makes something "Anti-American". My opinions, your opinions, and Rev Wright's opinions are all American opinions, and it is a lie to say otherwise.
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