Editor: I read with interest the innuendo-laden letter by Tim Case in Wednesday's Tracy Press. Following are analyses of several comments made by Mr. Case in his letter that caused my eyebrows to rise in cramping fashion.
He begins by indicating he watched a group of peace protesters demonstrating against the conflict in Iraq. Is it certain that the protest was of the conflict itself, or perhaps, was the protest against a non-peaceful resolution to that conflict?
The second paragraph is in its entirety, nothing more than an ironic example of exactly what right-leaning folk accuse of their counterparts – name calling. So too is his "sniveling socialists" comment later on. I have observed this tactic used by people of all opinions when what they have to say is of little substance on its own.
The letter goes on to thank Ret. Lt. Col. Horn for his letter "directed to the 'no blood for oil crowd'" but it doesn't say why thanks are offered. Were they offered for any letter directed toward the NBFO crowd? The same sentence is concluded with, "the murder of an American pilot at the hands of Saddam Hussein." I believe a misperception has been made, as the pilot shot by Saddam was Iraqi – not American. Otherwise, the 'at the hands of' comment is like saying President Bush is responsible for the killing of the Canadian soldiers in the one of many "friendly fire" incidents during the bombing of Afghanistan
How many friendly fire incidents do you suppose there would be in Iraq? Perhaps there will not be as many since the only 'friendlies' around seem to be the British and Spanish. When does the comprehension of the lesson learned from the statement, "I'm not crazy, the rest of the world is" kick in?
The next paragraph in the letter ends 'wondering how Saddam could get away with cold-blooded murder within our borders.' I nearly pulled an eyebrow muscle on that one.
Mr. Case then neatly ties the NBFOs to anti-capitalists – presto – without even the use of a string or rope. Ideally, compensation is proportionate to effort and quality of product, although one should note that the United States is the only modern nation that does not have socialized medicine. Our health care industry is a disgrace. This is capitalism in its most raw and ugly form. Why should profit be made and some prosper on the misery of others?
Capitalism is exploitation – pure and simple. Exploiting your own talents and gifts is appropriate, but exploiting the weak and innocent is hardly noble. Incidentally, you will not find the word "capitalism" in any form in either the Constitution of the United States or the Declaration of Independence. Our forefathers did not found capitalism with the founding of this country. They founded freedom. That freedom includes the free expression of opposing ideas without persecution.
On another front, I cannot help noting the one-sidedness of the 'gassed his own people' rhetoric. Recently released Pentagon information details the extent of the biological and chemical testing of American service personnel and civilians by the US military in the 1960s and 1970s. A 1965 test code-named "Big Tom" involved the spraying over the most populous Hawaiian island – Oahu of the anthrax-related agent, Bacillus globigii. Following are a few other test details:
Pentagon officials now claim that the poisons were distributed in less than lethal doses – well thank you very much! Interestingly, as I write this, Secretary of State Colin Powell is speaking live on CNN and is saying that just a few drops of VX will kill a human being.
So, Saddam is apparently not the only one to have gassed his own people. If the number one priority of President Bush is to protect US citizens and military personnel, he would not appear be so hell-bent on placing so many in harm's way of chemical or biological responses, not to mention that of the 'conventional weapons' that are designed for metal bullets or bomb shrapnel to tear through and destroy human flesh.
As far as North Korea, I'm of the opinion that we should take our 300,000 troops out of the Persian Gulf and together with 300,000 Chinese troops and 300,000 Russian troops stand on North Korea's doorstep and declare in a unified voice that we will not be bribed or threatened, despite the US government's proclivity to do so.
Most peace proponents oppose not only the regime in Iraq, but also the more brutal regime in Saudi Arabia. However, we do so peacefully – not with a violent, knee-jerk response.
Daniel Wells
Tracy