Published: December 04, 2006 11:02 am            

12/03/06 Letters to the editor

War in Iraq should be completed



Dear Editor:



I don’t know all the ins and outs of Islamic fundamentalism, but I do know this much: Muslims have hated Christians since their beginning, and have shown no hesitancy to kill us in huge numbers since the seventh century.

The Sept. 11 attacks are simply the most recent offensive of that 1,300 year-old conflict. Like it or not, Islamic extremists view the U.S. as a nation of Christian infidels. The question is: How do you defeat an enemy with a 13-century blood grudge and not only the willingness, but also the determination to die in his quest to kill you? Maybe one of our Democratic leaders can give us an answer.

I want to state right now that even though this letter may read as a statement of support for the invasion and occupation of Iraq, it isn’t. I am not an analyst for the National Security Agency, and I don’t have access to a thousandth of the hard intelligence on the matter, therefore I cannot know whether we should have invaded Iraq or not. But, then, neither do the mainstream media.

So to accept hook, line and sinker what the media says about the war in Iraq war is folly. We should see the war through no matter what the cost. For if not finishing what we’ve started means freeing what’s left of our enemies to plan and execute another Sept. 11— then I say no cost is too great to bear to avoid living with the constant dread.



W.V. Bonds

Cleburne





Powwow a big success



Dear Editor:



This past Veterans Day, I attended the Native American powwow (a joining together) that was held at Cleburne High School. I have to tell you that as a veteran, I have never been treated with more dignity, respect and honor as at that gathering. In fact, I don’t recall ever being treated with such honor and regard in my entire life at every other function on a Veterans Day.

Veterans were asked to sign a simple login where some kind ladies pinned ribbons on our shirts or jackets and shook our hands in gratitude for our service to our country. It was a very moving experience, one that had been far removed from me at other veteran’s events.

There was a grand march in which veterans were asked to join in, which most did, in the Native American manner while the special group of singers and drummers played songs and beat their drums while costumed dancers danced in our honor.

There were dance contests that included young boys and girls, men and women, and the authentic costumes gave one the feeling of a long ago culture that lives on in the here and now.

We veterans exchanged handshakes afterwards where we were then met by a group of event leaders who shook our hands and offered us a grab bag of little thank you gifts, which was above and beyond the wonderful treatments we had been exposed to already.

It was a great turn out of people this year, much more than last, and I am hopeful that the Cleburne powwow will become a mainstay, yearly event that so many more people could attend and enjoy it.

I should mention the buffalo burgers (yes, real buffalo that is more a steak than a beef burger) and craftsman artifacts that were offered at reasonable prices as well as native art and artworks second to none.

There were too many events and arts and crafts to mention, so I strongly suggest that the public stay tuned in for the next powwow event.

Oh yes, there was no admission fee. Try not to miss the next powwow.



Jason Greywolf Leigh

Cleburne





Farmers Branch doing the right thing



Dear Editor:



Isn’t it wonderful that in this country towns can decide what is best for the majority of its residents? By following laws and guidelines, certain elements that disturb the way of life of residents of each town can be studied and, by vote, the city councils, which represent all legal factions of each city, can then declare these elements are no longer to be tolerated.

Of course, there are limitations on what cities can prevent within their own city limits. Old ways allowed cities to prevent alcohol, strip joints, noisy and polluting businesses, odoriferous threats and other unliked things from disrupting the peace of a town. However, since some cities now manage to vote in anything that, theoretically, will bring jobs and money, ways have been found to overrule the wishes of the resident majority.

In other cases, cities hire well-paid consultants to decide what is best for “our town,” even when some of these cities get further and further behind the eight ball, debt, as a result of erroneous consultations.

The Texas city of Farmers Branch is a victim of all kinds of oral and media abuse because of a move that their city managers feel will enhance the whole of their operation. To rid their town of a horde of lawbreakers, as the term “illegal immigrants” indicates, and over users of social services, they have started enforcing the laws.

In other words, these illegals, their employers and others practicing illegal methods in favor of the presence of these unlawful persons will be leaned on in variable fashion, but in all cases within the law and by enforcing the laws.

Already, many agencies and organizations are gathering to try to keep this city from doing the right and necessary things By failing to face up to this potential problem 30 or 40 years ago, our wrongly influenced Congress has allowed this type of crisis situation to occur.

When towns are inundated with illegally immigrated noncitizens of another culture who speak little English and who overload American schools and hospitals with non-paying usage, it may be a time for residents to rise up and defend their town and its rights.

Many American towns are facing the same dilemma. Should they be able to decide whether the available employability of these people is reward enough for sustaining the many associated costs and if not, react in lawful ways that are beneficial to the residents?

The need for this labor force is the big factor that has allowed for their presence and, in fact, that labor has been essential for much progression in our country. Since our Congress refuses to make their presence tolerable with a practical and acceptable guest-worker program and protect our borders from illegal entry, it then appears as necessary that individual areas and townships do work on this problem.

Power to those cities with enough gumption to take a stand and make a move, ready to withstand the attacks that will come. “Political correctness” is a two-word synonym for capitulation. Ignoring this problem could be trashing our culture.



Monte Swatzell

Cleburne

        

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