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'Support our military'
I just had to respond after reading John Rankin's letter March 30. I agree with him 100% that we must support our "American" troops no matter where they are stationed. So without question we should also support the reason they are in Iraq.
The Democrats want a timetable set for the troops to be withdrawn from the Middle East. They harp about the war in Iraq, but what about the battle we have going on in Afghanistan? I believe that war was started by former President Clinton. Does that make it OK?
We will either fight the terrorists in their front yards or in our front yard. Freedom is not free and there is always a price to be paid for our freedom. Our "liberal" senators and congressmen need to realize that.
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Pray for the soldier
The head of the editorial section of one of California's major newspapers laments that his son, a volunteer U.S. Army scout is headed to Iraq, to a war the father declared "lost." Compare two stories.
First, about the sharp scalpel of a surgeon searching for persistent cancer in the abdomen of the White House press secretary. The media ask questions without predicting outcome.
Second, about the sharp claws of the American eagle, a U.S. Army scout in Iraq. The media have concluded the war against terror is lost.
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'Not my morality'
It's a sad day when a high-ranking military officer (Gen. Peter Pace) would use his position to foist his personal beliefs onto the American people. I believe many of us have forgotten a major tenet this country was founded upon: the separation of church and state.
Mr. Pace's morality is not my morality -- it's not the law. We are guaranteed certain rights to pursue our individual happiness, which includes the freedom to partner with whom we choose.
Homosexuality is not a crime -- is not punishable.
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'See you at the parade'
Once again, Veterans Day is almost here and once again I ask Fresno to support its veterans. This year promises to be a great parade; American Indians are the grand marshals. Last year, Vietnam veterans were grand marshals, and I was all dressed up in my jungle dress, M-16 and all. What an honor it was for me to have appeared on the front page of The Bee passing out candy to the children.
I'm a proud Vietnam and Desert Storm veteran. That's why Nov. 11 is special to me and to so many other veterans. This year I'll be dressed in my Desert Storm uniform passing out candy again.
Let's not forget our troops who are fighting the war on terror. Remember that the price of freedom is not cheap. I recently went to the Clovis Cemetery to pay my respects to the three Marines who paid the price for our freedom.
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No answer from Nunes
In August, I received a newsletter from Rep. Devin Nunes in which he said, "Operation Iraqi Freedom is one phase of the overall plan to bring freedom and democracy to countries that have struggled for years under the rule of dictators and tyrants."
I wrote asking what he meant by "overall plan" -- did he mean Syria, Iran, North Korea, Cuba? He didn't answer. I wrote again, and he wrote back but never answered my questions. I wrote a third time and he refused to answer.
I take a dim view of anyone who refuses to explain what he means, especially an elected representative. I have been told he was a "no show" at four scheduled debates with his coming opponent. He knows I am a veteran of World War II and I thought he would show some respect and answer my question.
In another time, during another war, I entered the U.S. Air Force in 1972. Public debate was common, as it was during the War of Independence, the war against the Barbary pirates, the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the annexation of Hawaii, the Spanish-American War and a hundred other conflicts.
Lately, I see a number of letter writers and columnists who claim that public disagreement with the current war goals and policies somehow hurts the troops. With my experience, I disagree.
One point of pride I had while in military service was our American freedom of speech. I still view the debates, protests, demonstrations, Nixon's resignation and the ultimate end-of-war funding then as signs that freedom of speech improves government policy through the exercise of personal liberty.
I swore (or affirmed) to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Those who would silence disagreement should ask themselves why Constitutional freedoms should now disappear.
Cordell B. Jelf Jr.
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