Editorial

March 3, 2010

by Paul O'Donnell, Asst. Publisher

Bring Our Troops Home!

It’s taken a few wars to show what daily bombings in the same country can do. However, it’s taking longer to call out daily bombing in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was different in the war “Desert Storm”. The mass bombing was for only eight days. On the 9th day, up went the white flags. Iraq gave up. We won the Desert Storm war against Iraq with ONLY 10 or 12 of our heroes giving their lives.

Later came the second war with Iraq and “NO BOMBING.” AND IT TOOK 9 YEARS AND 5,000 MEN OF OURS LOST THEIR LIVES in the second war against Iraq. What a tragedy! NO real reason to use boots on the ground, when the brass and president KNOW WHAT THE BOMBERS CAN DO.

Five thousand of our families will never forget the loss of their loved ones. Lost because the lives and buildings of the enemy are SAVED by the reasoning and rules given our fighting men to fight house to house, door to door, to walk down streets looking for the enemy. And much more that causes so many of our men to find the enemy does not go face to face, but hide, fire and run to another spot and wait. This took years, without the bombers to flatten areas hiding the enemy.

Now, in Afghanistan, after eight years, again there are no daily bombings that would end the war in one week.

Unfortunately for our troops in Afghanistan, comes more ridiculous rules and regulations for our troops. While our troops are fighting and dodging the bullets, they’re getting more and more rules, such as stop and help the citizens who may be in harm’s way, build them schools, build them homes, buildings and be kind to them. Offer their children candy and try to have the citizens like our men who are fighting a slippery enemy that shows up behind the lines killing whoever they can.

Now a new rule: if any of our troops are fired upon, they can fire back, but if the enemy drops their rifles, they can walk away without being shot or captured. That rule had to be approved by the President and Congress. Can you just imagine the predicament it puts our troops in? Could be the enemy drops their rifles, sneaks back with hand grenades and kills our troops.

Now they’re saying we could be in Afghanistan for another five to ten years. NO! NO! NO! That would mean we could LOSE another three thousand to five thousand men.

When the hell will they wake up in Washington and vote, with or without the President and send the bombers over there and bring our men and women home all in one week.

Just think: with bombers, they could end the Afghanistan war ANY WEEK THEY WANT. STOP THE WAR. BUT IN WASHINGTON, THEY KNOW THIS AND IGNORE IT.

Two die today, five over the weekend, one more behind the lines. Are you saying ANOTHER five to ten years of this? SORRY! It’s not going to happen because Tea Parties are waking up all, yes, ALL the people and somehow we, the people, will get our Air Force in the air with bombers. And our people will DEMAND all our troops come home!

Yes, you heard right! ALL our troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and the other million men scattered in countries all over the world, such as on the north and south border of Korea we have 25,000 American troops still there and it’s been around sixty years since the Korean War. And there are others all over the world. Our men and women, troops left out there damn near ruling the world. We, the people don’t want to rule the world. In fact, the United States of America needs its men and women - all of them - back home. Our country is being cut into pieces little by little and in some cases, like California, millions of acres in farmland have been shut down and farmers growing vegetables to feed the people have been stopped from growing. The feds have said those farms and those millions of acres must give up their water for the two inch Delta Smelt fish that needs water. The farmers have lost the water for over a year.

Hundreds of banks have closed and more are closing daily. The unions have taken over the automobile manufacturing and Wall Street now pays cash to the feds. Millions of Mexicans continue to jump the border, and now get billions in benefits such as health care, social security, welfare and more. We can’t let those people die, but the politicians look at the Mexicans coming over the border as fresh voters and don’t look at how much they cost the taxpayers.

Getting back to bringing the men and women home from around the world, they could be with their families and perhaps build up the National Guard in every state. There are those who today are trying to take over the United States of America.

One of the major reasons that Tea Parties started was to protect our country. Today, there are thousands of tea parties and millions of patriotic Americans who run them.

We all must be vigilant Patriotic Americans.

God Bless us all,

Paul O'Donnell,

Asst. Publisher

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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Smoking Ban in Private Clubs Debated Again

To the Editor,

Last night, March 1st, I had the opportunity to sit in on the Board of Health meeting at the town hall to hear the issue of No Smoking in PRIVATE CLUBS discussed. In attendance were many veterans as well as private taxpayers who frequent these long time tax paying establishments.

My first impression was one of disbelief! The chairman representing the Town was dressed in shorts and t-shirt with boat shoes and no socks. The meeting he called to order started without any consideration for the veterans in attendance by not reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of a town meeting.

The first thing running through my mind was the old Night Court television series...never prepared and a totally confused staff.

After the “limited open discussion”, a rule set by the Chairman, the obvious message that was sent was to reconsider the vote to allow smoking in private clubs. Many of the clubs have smoke-eaters and proper venting in their businesses. Guests sign in and know that smoking is going on as they enter...a choice they make. I was sitting, waiting for the Harrington rep to walk in as was Mr. Carbonneau but they failed to show for this meeting. Probably knew that they would have been answering many questions that the present board could not.

A message sent several times during this session was how these clubs pay taxes and provide monetary donations to the entire town....probably because the town can’t fund the organizations supported by these clubs. At one point, one board member even encouraged a club to hire a lawyer and take them to court to fight this. Just what the town needs - more lawyer bills!

Many times the chairman stated it was for the health and safety of those who go into the clubs. Since when does Mr. Carbonneau and his “qualified staff” have a right to dictate to grown men and ladies, many of who have fought for our rights and their own, where and when they can smoke.

He has also said in the local newspapers he is a disabled veteran and does not go into the clubs because of smoking. I know he is not a member of the American Legion Post 184 in Webster nor has anyone ever seen him at a meeting or march in the town’s parades proudly displaying his colors. But you spoke against the wishes of “your fellow” Veterans in attendance asking you to reconsider.

I am a non-smoker and certainly know the risk I take if I choose to enter a smoking establishment! I know the risk I take when eating at the local diner, Chinese restaurant, or go into the Town Hall or Library where ceiling paint is falling during a meeting, (lead paint possibly) where the windows and doors are 2x4 closed as pointed out that night, not a lit exit sign. Or if I choose to pump my gas at the local gas station where the sign states “hazardous fumes do not breath in”, should the Board of Health be closing down these businesses as well? I know you are acting in my best interest for my health as you have in your last big decision.

I know and now understand why Mr. Carbonneau has failed in his many attempts to successfully win a seat on the Board of Selectman........CLOSED MINDED!

You said at that meeting you welcome letters especially if signed. Read this one over again!

Karl Kuhn Sr,
Webster, Mass

“The Back Door”

In a packed room on Capital Hill, Paul Wolfowitz was making promises. The war in Iraq was far from over, the Deputy Defense Secretary told a long row of Congressmen a week after the March 2003 invasion. But the United States was prepared to rush in after Saddam Hussein’s defeat to begin rebuilding the country. The plans were ready. The expertise was there and so was the money.

“There’s a lot of money to pay for this” he said adding “we are dealing with a country that can really finance it’s own reconstruction and relatively soon.”

Wolfowitz was wrong on nearly every point that afternoon. Neither the plans nor the experts, nor the money was in place. The team that Pres. Bush had designated to oversee the reconstruction had met in full for the first time only 34 days earlier, huddling in secret on a snowy day at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C. Handicapped by the Pentagon, the team was woefully understaffed and unprepared for what lay ahead. They lacked expertise in the middle east, and had way to few translators.

Three years after Wolfowitz’s speech, the US had already committed more than $30 billion to rebuilding Iraq. This was more than the budgets of the depts. of transportation, interior and commerce combined. No other country has received as much foreign aid in the history of the United States. The restoration of Iraq has failed for it did not spark an economic renewal, nor the trust of a shattered people and has not made Iraq more peaceful.

This calculation was only the beginning of a nation building process crafted with all the care of a sand castle

Author T. Christian Miller

Submitted by L. Polletta

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