LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Military spending out of control

12/28/2013

Why aren’t we sick of hearing about more delays in pulling out of Afghanistan (“Top U.S. general: Afghan gains at risk; Pullout could torpedo progress, Dempsey says,” Dec. 12). Don’t nearly 13 years of war and billions of dollars spent warrant an immediate withdrawal?

Why should taxpayers give Congress a blank check that will be used to justify activities, such as warrantless surveillance, indefinite detentions, and the lethal use of drones, that fly in the face of our constitutional values?

At the cost of billions of dollars, we have built ships and planes that in some cases the military says it did not want. The F-35 fighter plane is years behind schedule and will cost billions of dollars more than predicted. This is not what Americans want.

TED GEORGOFF

Lambertville, Mich.

 

Click here to submit a letter to the editor.

 

Wind turbines deadly, but useful

Wind turbines kill birds, but so do vehicles and cats (“Opponents fail to halt wind-tower projects; Construction in Ottawa Co. criticized,” Dec. 22).

Should we ban vehicles, airplanes, high-tension power lines, and radio towers, because they lead to bird deaths? Turbines are quiet and make needed electricity.

KEN BENJAMIN

Port Clinton

 

Offshore turbines can boost energy

The Dec. 8 Readers’ Forum letter “Wise placement of wind turbines needed” spoke of the need for careful siting of wind turbines. There is an answer to that: offshore turbines.

The Lake Erie Energy Development Organization (LEEDCO) is undertaking Project Icebreaker, in which six wind turbines will be erected off Cleveland’s shores. With a large further investment by the U.S. Department of Energy at stake, they can use public support.

In a video on LEEDCO’s Web site, U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) has taken the organization’s “power pledge” to buy power from this project.

Smart northern Ohio developments such as this can lead our region to be one of the world’s top providers of energy through turbines.

THOMAS COLLINS

Garrettsville, Ohio

 

Congress should take heed of Pope

The honor bestowed by Time magazine on Pope Francis could not have come at a better time (“Pope named Person of the Year by Time for changing views,” Dec. 12).

The Pope’s message of peace, love, and care for the poor and unfortunate offers a year-round Christmas story. His beliefs should be required reading for Congress, especially Catholic members of the House when they consider cutting food-stamp programs.

EDWARD NUSSEL

Sylvania Township