Pull Our Troops

Pull Our Troops From Afghanistan

Editor's note: The following is an open letter to President Barack Obama:

President Obama, do not listen to the idiots who urge you to put our ground troops in Afghanistan. Do you want to be known as a president who didn't learn the lessons from Vietnam? Do you want to be a Sen. John McCain who wanted our ground troops put in Kosovo?

Stand back, Obama, and think; talk to Bill Clinton, he must have known something because he didn't put infantry in Kosovo. He won that war with our air power. Obama, use our helicopters and Air Force to help the Afghanistan infantry. Let their ground troops do the dying to save their country.

Americas' sons have suffered enough. Obama, you are a different kind of person - you care. You may be green behind the ears, but that doesn't prevent you from using your brains. Listen to me, listen to Kerry, listen to Biden, listen to Kennedy and pull our infantry out of Afghanistan! The Russians did and so can you.

Above all, don't listen to our generals. They need a war going on to get promotions. The faceless millions of Americans who are put in harm's way mean nothing to them. You care, Obama. Don't be swayed by pressure. Be your own man. Be the boss!

I believe in you and so does America. Don't let us down and make Afghanistan the graveyard of many Americans. Obama, are you listening?

The Russians lost 15,000 men and 30,000 wounded before they woke up and pulled out. Don't let that happen to us. Fifteen thousand American lives mean something to their families in America. Please, Obama, consider this tragedy. It's up to you to make this decision.

Listen to what I say from my past experience and be guided by your natural instincts of empathy and understanding. This will help you make the right decision. Do we need to lose 15,000 men before we wake up? Obama, you might consider having a confidential talk with Norman Schwarzkopf about my ideas of using only helicopter air power to help the infantry. My idea could be confirmed by talking to him.

America, think twice before getting involved militarily in a mountainous country. It is an impossible task. Learn from history. Use Italy during World War II as an example. Ask Bob Dole, who was in a mountain division in Italy.

Sam Lembo

Spring Hill

Upside Down Results

Fox News reported Sun Trust Bank's CEO recently accepted $8 million in pay even though it is said the bank lost money.

Prior to the presidential election, the oil companies lowered gas prices to $1.51 a gallon fearing Barack Obama would lobby for an excess profit tax. When he did nothing, up went the price even though prices slipped to $38 a barrel. I hope he includes some penalty for price gouging in the future.

In an addendum to my article on the senator from Alabama giving millions to foreign auto companies to locate in Alabama, here are some facts:

The total paid by all the states to foreign automakers is close to $3.2 billion if you count Ohio incentives and subsidies to Honda, which initially did not get incentives to move there in 1982. (MotorTrend February 2009)

Arthur R. Croci

Spring Hill