Letters
Letters to the editor, Jan. 11
TBO.com
Published: January 10, 2012
Troop cuts will not diminish U.S.Published: January 10, 2012
It looks as though the current administration will be cutting troop forces by nearly 47,000 including some 4,000 in Korea, Germany, Japan and other occupation forces as well as several thousands from the Air Force and Navy with the purpose, among other things, to switch funds into new technologies that will provide worthy adversarial advantages in defense tactics.
It's a budget issue. Cuts in every layer of government have been the rule with few exceptions down to the smallest unit of services to the public. But, we do not need to panic. Over 54 percent of our troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan were from our home reserves, our weekend soldiers and specialists supported mostly by their jobs in the private sector but offering a part-time job answering the question, "What can you do for your country?"
We can be proud of their patriotism. These are ready reserves who hit the ground running in Iraq and Afghanistan. Troop cuts will not diminish American capability in its role for humanitarian operations and standing ready against terrorist incursions within populations as we see in Iran or in upheavals we see in the Middle East with the Arab spring takeover of dictators by their constituents searching for free societies and populist voting for their own parliaments deciding their best interests.
Our young people coming home in the interest of jobs and schooling can bring to those venues their sense of duty, leadership, commitment and dedication to objectives business, schools and corporate opportunities should invite.
Jobs may be scarce, however many initiatives are in place to help our military in a transition to civilian responsibilities. Many will make excellent teachers, medical technicians and sales people meeting quotas as well as adjusting quickly to the workplace or curricula they choose for college. Their commitments can contribute to growing the economy in 2012.
Deron Mikal
Brooksville
Give Republic a chance
Let's not jump too quickly to blame our new trash service.
Our pick-up is Monday and Thursday. I noticed that on Monday of last week they arrived very early in the morning, and most people in our development missed the pick-up.
It wasn't that the new service missed them, the fact was they put their trash out to late. We were told to put trash out the night before, but most people (including us) waited to put it out on the morning of pick-up.
I'm sure there are problems that need to be ironed out, but I am sure the problem is 50 percent homeowners fault too. No, I do not know anyone who works for Republic.
Annette Shanley
Weeki Wachee