Letters to the editor

Ads more than an attack against Kerry

Dear editor:

The most recent attack ad launched by the anti-Kerry group that calls itself Swift Boat Veterans for Truth does a big disservice to veterans, military recruitment efforts, and all those serving honorably in Iraq. This ad is meant to undercut the testimonials delivered by Kerry's swift boat companions at the Democratic convention, and especially the Marine Special Forces officer, Jim Rassmann, whose life Kerry saved in Vietnam. Quibbling over medals thirty years after the war is rather trivial in light of Kerry's undeniably brave service.

Our veterans, whether they received medals or not, should be honored for their service. Senator John McCain, also a Vietnam vet, is right to call this attack ad dishonorable and dishonest. We don't have to try to contradict the testimony of Kerry and his crewmates about events on the Mekong River or decide how close he may have ventured to Cambodia.

This is an election year and most of us want to hear about the candidates' plans for helping the working class find jobs, health care, and well-supported schools. This latest ad makes me wonder: are the troops in Iraq going to be respected for the honors and medals they receive, or are these merely props that money and politics can later pull from their shoulders?

When new recruits are asked to make heroic sacrifices for their country, where is the honor and glory in such a life if political hacks are allowed to discredit their valor? We should stand up for our veterans and troops, and let our local Republican leaders know that such cheap tactics make the Grand Old Party look bad. You don't reclaim the flag by yanking it from the hands of a veteran.

--John Garton (son of Norman and Vicki Garton, Nevada, Mo.)

American Politics is not a foreign affair

Dear editor:

There is a wonderful scene in "Lonesome Dove" when preparing to hang their old Texas Ranger friend Jake, Gus and Call tell him he lost all chance for mercy when he 'crossed over the line.'

Western justice was swift when Gus and Call wasted no time after finding Jake had been part of a murdering and horse thief ring. Before dying Jake passionately cried to Gus: "I didn't see no line!"

Is there a line here in America, and when did we cross over it? I was convinced it was a joke when I first heard that there were members of the House requesting the United Nations to send election monitors to the US this fall.

Were we so corrupt that these elected officials felt compelled that they would throw away another vestige of our nation's sovereignty and invite foreigners into our polling places?

Did these House members believe our country had fallen so low that they needed to invite representatives from possibly one of the most corrupt organizations in the world into 'our house' and check out our activities?

When did American politics become foreign affairs? The joke was on me. Since our state department must submit this request, the Secretary-General of the UN denied the request.

These house members would not take no for an answer, and took their request to Secretary of State Colin Powell. The 13 Democratic House members got quite a surprise when they received notification that the administration had already invited foreign election monitors to the US elections in November.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, of which the US is a member, agreed in 1990 to allow fellow members (55 nations) to observe elections in one another's countries. Assistant Secretary of State Kelly affirmed to the 13 House members that "consistent with this commitment, the United States has already invited the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights to observe the Nov. 2, 2004, presidential election."

When did we become so "UnAmerican?"

When was it that we felt the need to have so many of our steps subject to foreign intervention?

Was it when we joined with the defunct League of Nations? Was it when we gave away American soil, then joined, and financed the United Nations? Was it when during the Korean War we shared every battle plan we had with officials from the UN to receive affirmation and approval?

Was it when 98 percent of the American public did not wish to give away the Panama Canal and 98 percent of our elected officials voted to do so?

Was it when we blurred lines and signed NAFTA?

Was it when we instituted policies to give away benefits to non-citizens of the United States? Was it when displaying the American flag became politically incorrect since we dared not offend persons from other lands?

Was it when we dared not offend neighbors to the south and allowed her truckers to travel into the United States with fewer restrictions and regulations than our own countrymen had to abide by?

Was it when we dare not offend foreign countries and our elected officials now fight against laws requiring the marking of food products with their country of origin? The list goes on and on and on. When did we cross the line? Was it when we removed the foundations of our country and made it illegal to have in public a display of the Ten Commandments; when we threw out prayer from schools; when we refused to allow teachers to teach from the Bible; refused to protect the unborn; instituted policies to destroy traditional marriage?

I am na*ve enough to want to know if there was a line and when did we cross it. How many of us cry with Jake: "I didn't see no line!"

-- Cindy Cutler

Schell City