Understand why troops are there

8/16/2005

Let's get one thing straight for all people who want to end the war on terror and bring the troops home: The troops are doing their duty. The "18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds planning a future who are now fighting a war" mentioned by a recent letter writer are trained killers. The armed forces train them to kill first and then give them marketable skills that can be applied after their service is complete. Sorry to say, but to defend the country you may at some time have to kill the enemy.

The terrorists who killed innocent people in attacks on the United States on 9/11 (along with bombings of our foreign embassies) and recent terror attacks in Spain and England demonstrate the lengths a committed enemy will go to.

If you disagree with the war in Iraq based on the reasons given to justify it, fine. I happen to agree. But to deny the troops the opportunity to finish the mission would be pointless and an insult to all those who serve. Our troops are in the region (not just Iraq) taking the fight to the enemy. They are making the region and our country safer.

I am not worried about the message being sent to countries that don't support the United States, because the main message sent by our troops is this: If you attack or support attacks on the United States or our allies, we will hunt you down and bring you to justice. That is what our military is doing.

Maybe some people would rather have the terrorists operating here in the U.S. while the military defends us in the streets of our cities. Personally, I prefer the fighting be done on our terms, and where they live, as opposed to the alternative. Now do you understand why the troops are over there?

Jeffery Schroeder

Beechway Boulevard

ABC News reporter Charles Gibson came on in the special report saying: "And it is with a profound sadness and true sorrow that I report to you Peter Jennings has died tonight of lung cancer." Tears began welling up in my eyes as I watched.

Mr. Jennings was the reason I watched and counted on ABC News to stay informed. The quality of news at the network is a result of his constant push for excellence and real news.

I had been waiting for Mr. Jennings to return to the anchor desk. Unfortunately, my wish - along with the wishes of countless viewers and colleagues - will not be granted.

Peter Jennings was my role model and inspiration. He was one of the reasons why I love journalism. Whether it was breaking news or a scheduled newscast, the way he informed was poetic, simply beautiful.

"Peter did it all," Mr. Gibson described. "He reported from every corner of the globe. No one in this business understood events overseas better than Peter Whenever there was a major event in the world on which to report, Peter reported it."

Words that I will always remember: "For all of us at ABC News, I'm Peter Jennings. Good night." God bless.

James A. Molnar

Oregon

It's a sad commentary that the Jungs are being deported while there are 10 million-plus illegal aliens in the country who aren't paying taxes. Sad indeed.

Charles Dersher

West Alexis Road

Mexicans risk their lives to enter this country and work like slaves so we can have inexpensive fruits and vegetables. Why is it OK to worship and throw millions of dollars at foreign musicians, actors, hockey players, baseball players, and a Canadian broadcaster, but nothing can be done to stop the breakup of a Korean family living here as model citizens for nearly 20 years?

Andrew Jung sounds like a good kid. I hope for the best for him and his family.

Tim Aichler

Monroe

After reading the Aug. 3 editorial, "Blind eye toward abuse," I found myself asking some very serious legal questions. When somebody reported the abuses to the police, and they did nothing to "investigate" the crimes, do criminal and civil statutes of limitations apply? Could the RICO law be used on all who kept this crime from being exposed?

Why aren't prosecutors and judges looking into these possibilities, and, for that matter, legislators clarifying the definition of when the statute of limitations begins or ends?

Why are those who make and enforce these laws so afraid of carrying them out on an organized religion, when there is sufficient evidence to prove they aided and abetted in those crimes? And finally, how long do we have to wait for our system of justice to have the fortitude to stand up and hold accountable those who break these laws?

Stuart Dupras

Tipp City, Ohio

The Rib-off has great potential and overall is a good time. However, despite the fact that The Blade twice published that the samplers were required to have three bones from each vendor, the vendors apparently were unaware of this requirement.Only two of the vendors sold a three-bone sampler, with the rest denying that this was necessary. The entire event was unfriendly to handicapped patrons, with poor access to rest rooms and no handicapped parking specified (as stated by the police directing traffic).

Before we got into the event, $9 had been spent simply parking and getting admission for two people. The sidewalks in the park were occupied by equipment, making access for strollers and people with disabilities difficult if not impossible.

The food was good, the music was fun, but getting to either was a challenge.

Whims Ivey

Vinal Street

A recent editorial ("No compromise on MTBE") erroneously stated that American Petroleum Institute's estimate that MTBE groundwater cleanup costs not covered by responsible parties, private insurance, and state cleanup funds would total, at most, $1.5 billion "refers only to the cost of getting rid of leaking underground tanks."

In fact, API's estimate includes cleanup of MTBE at underground storage tank gasoline release sites, treatment of MTBE in public water supplies, and treatment of MTBE in private household water wells.

The June, 2005, study for API by cleanup consultants Mike Martinson (Delta Environmental Consultants) and Jim Davidson (Exponent) found that, while there may be many sites where MTBE corrective action is necessary, in the vast majority of cases, the costs associated with MTBE cleanup are already being paid for by responsible parties, insurance, state funds, and the federal LUST Trust Fund.

TERRY FLEMING

Executive Director

Ohio Petroleum Council

Columbus

A thief is a thief. Wrong is wrong! If a person steals from my union funds or loots my golf league treasury, you can be assured I do not look first at his political or religious affiliations.

Thanks for bringing to light the disgrace of the Workers' Compensation Bureau scandal.

I'm sure by now you've received the gratitude of the Chamber of Commerce also.

I still remember from past elections its outraged ads about anyone who would be so despicable as to cheat the system.

JAMES W. GREGORY

Erie, Mich.

I do not know Angelique Dipman, nor Demeatrius, the young boy killed, and am aware that she should have stopped for the school bus. But the Oregon school district should be at partial fault for having a bus route that requires students to cross traffic. All routes should discharge children on their side of the street, even if it means driving around the block. The district should be rethinking its bus routes. If I were the parent of the boy, I would be petitioning the school to do just that.

B.C. Leonard

Napoleon