Destroying economy is terrorism, too

3/23/2006

How interesting that our leaders recently decided that outsourcing control of American ports is not in the best interest of our people, and these TV politicians foresee losing votes if they dare to support the unpopular issue.

It is even more interesting that these same officials for years paid zero attention to the expanding flood of American job-killing foreign products shipping through these same ports, into the super-duper China Marts of this country, with nary a whimper of protest.

In the long run, what difference does it make if the terror is a bomb or the continuing economic destruction of the American standard of living? Either threat can arrive by ship container through these very ports, but the imports already do, and they impact the entire country with a trade deficit that is disgraceful.

Once the current United Arab Emirate headlines fade, the TV Rip Van Winkles will go back to sleep once again, our taxes will continue to go up to cover increasing shortfalls, and Ottawa County will still have a 10 percent unemployment rate.

I always enjoyed reading fairy tales to my children, and this could be another one.

Kenneth S. Benjamin

Port Clinton, Ohio

The ports deal with the United Arab Emirates was called off; however, we didn't even find out about the deal until after it was approved by the White House. How many more deals like this are there that we don't know about? We didn't find out about the UAE deal until it was almost too late. Corporate business deals should never supersede national security, and this is coming from a business student at Ohio State.

I find it disconcerting that Sen. Mike DeWine never took a position on this issue. Dealing with issues like this is what we elected him to do. This issue was not even a partisan one; members from both political parties opposed it, and Senator DeWine still remained silent when our national security was being dealt with by Congress.

Sean Phillippi

Westerville, Ohio

Are we thinking positively or negatively? There has been too much criticism about President Bush and his Iraq war. The excerpts from a speech by Winston Churchill in October, 1941, could still be used to pull this and the allies together for the common cause.

"Our country stood in the gap. There was no flinching and no thought of giving in; and by what seemed almost a miracle to those outside, we ourselves never doubted, we find ourselves in a position where I say that we can be sure that we have only to persevere to conquer.

"These are not dark days; these are great days; and we must all thank God that we have been allowed to play a part in making these days memorable in the history of our race."

Truer words were never spoken. There is bloodshed, but thankfully not on our soil. The loss of any lives is too bad, but not nearly as many have been lost as Lincoln saw in the Civil War. The freedom in other countries helps to guarantee our own.

The media don't find good news but tend to exploit the bad. Our troops believe in our cause. We need to stand united. Division weakens.

God bless the U.S.A. and our allies. God bless President Bush and the troops as they act on their beliefs.

SHARON RIEGSECKER

Delta, Ohio

Congratulations to The Blade and its extraordinary team of writers for their courage and journalistic excellence in uncovering "Coingate" and not being afraid to take on corruption wherever they find it. There is hope for democratic government as long as there are journalists like our own Blade staff writers.

The beryllium series in 2000, the Vietnam series in 2004, and now the Coingate series in 2006. Awesome, especially for a mid-sized newspaper in Ohio. You make us proud!

Millicent Marquart

Sylvania

In all the debate over the cause of the 17th Street Canal levee breach in New Orleans, one word has been conspicuously absent: debris.

There is a bridge over the canal perhaps a hundred yards downstream from the levee breach. Live television footage broadcast immediately after the initial breach showed a massive pile of debris, including very large tree limbs and what appeared to be pieces of homes piled against the bridge, almost completely blocking the flow of water underneath it.

The water at this debris wall was rolling and pulsing vigorously; it follows that pressures beneath the surface must have been several times greater than that of a normal, straight flow under the bridge. It is not inconceivable that the unanticipated increased back-pressure caused by this wall of debris compromised the levee base. We're talking about millions of tons of water denied its natural course. It's physics.

Once the levee was initially breached, the water began to escape with the swiftest flow now at the upstream edge of the breach, and shortly thereafter a much larger upstream segment of levee collapsed.

As the debris pile was located so near the collapse, it was likely released, according to the laws of fluid dynamics, into the diverted flow and carried through the enlarged gap to disperse on the other side, leaving only the video footage as evidence. However, that evidence remains for anyone who cares to view it.

I have yet to see any mention of this blocked-bridge theory in any media or government reports. Perhaps someone in a position of authority would be interested in exploring my theory.

Steven Andrew Szirotnyak

Bakewell Street

Springfield is a dynamic school district that has fulfilled every promise made to its taxpayers since 2001. What impresses me is that for these past five years, the district leadership has done so without asking for additional property taxes. Sure, they've been on the ballot during that time - but that's because they found creative ways to get the job done without asking for new operating money.

I know people are mad that our legislators still haven't found a solution to the public school funding dilemma. I am, too. I've heard some people say that while they support the schools - even feel pride in what has been accomplished - they want to send a message to Columbus that enough is enough.

I look at the situation in the Lake district and seriously doubt that anyone in Columbus really notices. This issue is too important for each resident - regardless if the student attends public, community, or private schools.

On May 2 Holland and Springfield voters will be asked to approve a 3.5-mil operating levy. I look at this request as an investment in my community and our richest asset - every child.

TERRY YODER

Holland

One has to wonder why legislators are fighting this red-light camera issue. Could it be that they may be the biggest abusers and cannot deny it or get out of the fine?

The excuse that "I had no idea who was driving my car that day" is pretty lame, too. What happened to taking responsibility for our actions?

No wonder kids today have no ethics when adults blame everyone and everything else but themselves.

Jennifer Edgar

Hannaford Drive

I'm tired of people complaining about the red-light cameras. Those objecting are probably the ones who run red lights. I personally think they are OK and there should be more of them. Just last week I saw two cars run red lights at Detroit and Glendale avenues and three cars run red lights at Schneider Road and Detroit.

E J. RYAN

Glendale Avenue