Published: July 02, 2006 04:17 pm            

7/02/06 Letters to the editor

Hentoff wrong about Guantanamo treatment



Dear Editor:



I read the Nat Hentoff column titled “The stain on Guantanamo — and us” concerning the detainees at Guantanamo Bay in your June 15 edition. He referred to the inhumane treatment of detainees who were force fed after going on a hunger strike and the suicide of three of those detainees.

First of all Mr. Hentoff makes me sick, I don’t care what his credentials are. He and the rest of the bleeding-heart liberal left who continue to portray the men and women of our military as being worse than the enemy they protect us from. We are in a war, a war to preserve our way of life against people whose sole purpose in life is to destroy us. Nat Hentoff, Michael Moore, Tim Robbins and George Clooney would more than likely still be vilifying the U.S. military when (and I use the term in the generic sense) “Soldiers of Islam” lined them up to be shot. Maybe the detainees at Guantanamo aren’t being handled with kid gloves, but they aren’t being butchered by having their heads cut off either. If information gained from these people helps prevent the loss of one American soldier or another 9-11 type attack on our country, then in my opinion, obtain that information by whatever means necessary. As a citizen of the United States, I expect — no, I demand — that the government ensure the safety of my family by securing our borders against an enemy who has sworn to destroy us. These people are ruthless killers, nothing more, who make war on unarmed civilians (aka the elderly, women and children) in the name of God no less and, as such, have placed themselves outside the laws of the civilized world. You cannot reason with a mad dog, you destroy it.

Speaking from first-hand knowledge, having a tube inserted through your nose into your stomach, while not a pleasurable experience, hardly qualifies to me as, and I quote Mr. Hentoff, “brutal and inhumane treatment.” To the 263 doctors from the seven different countries (which probably receive billions in foreign aid from the U.S.) who have protested these actions, read my lips: “Shut up and stay out of our affairs, it’s none of your business.”

If Mr. Hentoff end the rest of the liberal left can only continue to demean the brave men and women serving in our military and not support them in a manner they so richly deserve from a grateful nation, then leave this country and seek residence elsewhere. May I suggest France, Germany or Russia, as these countries have been completely uncooperative, the first to criticize and done everything possible to disrupt the allied effort in the war against these animals.

In closing I say this to Nat Hentoff, when you write about “The stain on Guantanamo — and us,” don’t include me in that “us,” for I believe if the detainees at Guantanamo were returned to their countries of origin, they would have an assault rifle in hand hunting Americans within 24 hours of their arrival. People like you, Mr. Hentoff, make me proud to say thank you to every man and woman wearing the uniform of our nation’s military when I have the privilege and honor to meet them, so they might know in some small way, there are still a great many of us who do appreciate the sacrifices they and their families make on our behalf. God protect you all and bring you home soon!



Rikky D. Perkins





American Legion supports flag protection



Dear Editor:



Cleburne’s American Legion Family 50 is disappointed and appalled that the Senate chose to ignore the desires of the majority of American Citizens by failing to approve the Flag Protection Amendment.

Rhonda Tatum, newly elected Unit 50 president, qualifies for Auxiliary membership through the military service of her deceased husband, who served in the Vietnam War.

“I believe Old Glory should be honored and treated as the symbol of the United States,” she said. “Proper respect is appropriate and I regret that Congress continues to ignore the majority of its citizens. In so many aspects, we are allowing a vocal minority to sway the decisions of our highest courts and our government. It is time that the majority of patriotic Americans make their voice heard.”

American Legion Auxiliary National President Carol Van Kirk reacted, “The failure of the U.S. Senate to approve SJR-12, the Flag Protection Amendment, is another slap in the face of the vast majority of citizens who have asked time and time again for this bill to be passed and sent to the states for ratification.

“The 900,000 members of the American Legion Auxiliary whom I represent feel abandoned by a minority of U.S. Senators who, despite petitions from all 50 states, failed to allow the people to decide.

“As the leader of the nation’s largest patriotic women’s organization I’ve been at Pearl Harbor, Arlington and the American Cemetery in Lorraine, France, to pay tribute to those great Americans who served under our flag. This same flag draped my husband’s casket, was folded and presented to me. I assure everyone that my determination, and that of the women of the American Legion Auxiliary, will remain strong in a commitment to restore protection to that flag.”

Family 50 recently held Flag Day programs at Little People’s Academy in Joshua and at Field Street Baptist Church Day Care Center, and firmly believes in instructing our young people in the history of “The Star Spangled Banner,” in the meaning of the 50 stars and the 13 stripes, and in proper flag etiquette.

“It was exciting to experience the exuberance of the children we visited June 14. They were still and awed to watch the proper flag folding demonstration by ‘Uncle Sam’ Joel Franklin (Post 50 Commander) and Bill O. Horton. They sang songs, waived the flags provided by Woodmen of the World, and asked pertinent questions,” Unit 50 Public Relations Director Marty Peters related.

“I urge each resident of Cleburne and Johnson county to react to this decision by contacting their Senator and contact friends and family in other states to do the same. Let Congress know their decision is contrary to the will of the people. It’s time the government of the people, by the people and for the people begin listening to the people,” Post 50 Commander Joel Franklin remanded. “I went to the Flag Day programs dressed as Uncle Sam, and I hope the 150 young people that attended our programs learned how veterans feel about Old Glory. We fought under and my comrades died for everything the U.S. flag stands for.”



Cleburne American

Legion Family 50

        

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