Some commentaries:
I have compiled a bunch of articles that provoked thoughtful insight by me. These few Letters to the Editor state opinions widely viewed throughout the country.
Letter 1:
Time to stop aid to Venezuela
In light of the recent comments by Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez, is the U.S. currently sending any aid dollars to that country?
If so, perhaps it is time to re-evaluate our policy regarding aid to foreign countries that openly criticize our government and elected officials, regardless of political party.
Also, since the government of Venezuela is the sole owner of Citgo, shouldn't we also make an effort not to do business with or support a company whose profits may be used against us?
Maybe it is time to set an economic trap for this "little mouse who roared."
Dennis Martin
Lafayette
Dennis isn't the first person to show his disgust for the Venezuela president. This was basically the talk of the nation for about 2.5 minutes. I for one was pissed when this guy made his comments. How dare he talk about our national leader like this? Is he insane?
I totally support a trading stop with this country. It is warranted after such a comment. I mean, look how successful we were in Cuba. We hate the leader – and too this day our government pretends this country is non-existent. Now look at those sorry bastards! They are poor, starving, in need living essentials, and living within floating distance of the worlds richest country! Ha, we showed them! We punish this country so bad, that we don't want to return their children back to their parents when they float across the ocean to the USA. All these tactics have seemed to work so well. I say we do it for Venezuelatoo. Except, their dictator didn't do anything inhumane or evil; he just said a mean word about our country's leader.
People are so stupid. They just want revenge against people that do things that piss them off. That's what our country is all about: revenge. Fortunately, we can pretty much beat anyone up, so these self-minded individuals get their way.
Letter 2:
Writer doesn't speak for all liberals
A recent letter castigated liberals for what "we" believe about our Middle Eastern enemies (Journal & Courier, Sept. 22).
Sorry, the writer doesn't speak for me. I believe, simply, that they, terrorists, want us out of the Middle East. If one has read any history of the West's long involvement there, it's easier to understand their demand.
The United States, remember, formulated the Monroe Doctrine in 1823 in which we warned Europe that any interference in the Americas -- meaning the U.S., Mexico andSouth America -- would be considered an act against us. Thus we declared a specific region of the world to be off limits to European powers and so, apparently, are we now being told the same thing about the Middle East.
About our goodness versus their evil: Isn't it too bad that we now use interrogation methods (think waterboarding) that we could once criticize in other countries like Soviet Russia. The only way in which we can now justify such criticism is to say, "Well, our methods are not as evil as yours." Small comfort ...
Last, it takes so little for governments to formulate propaganda, doesn't it?
President Bush's speech writers had only to coin the word "Islamofacist" and it's become the new buzzword.
Words can be used to communicate and they can be used as weapons. Each new war coins its own verbal weaponry -- words used to incite hatred for entire peoples.
This doesn't happen by chance, you know. It's how governments make killing -- which only governments can legalize -- a little easier.
Elizabeth Pippitt
Lafayette
I just like this letter. It states some obvious facts. It also brings up another topic about theMiddle East. There has been turmoil in this entire region for hundreds/thousands of years. The Bible itself says that this will always be true. Yet Bush is always telling us how this Iraqi war will bring peace and democracy to the Middle East. I for one find this amazing. Bush - a God fearing man – wants to change the ways of the Bible. He is quite an amazing man, I would say. Now, don't get me wrong. I am greatly troubled about the violence and credulity happening in this area and I think we should assist in anyway we can. But PLEASE don't tell me that YOU have now fixed this problem. I know this will get you votes in the middle of the country because people just don't know better. But seriously, you are not/can't be that amazing.
On that note. I find it ironic that supposedly the "world's best capitalist country" is quite the opposite. We have a "republican" president in office who still believes that our international society is based off who has the most bombs. The USA considers themselves the world's superpower. Why? Good question. We are doing nothing to elevate ourselves inside the international economy. The European Union is emerging as one of the largest economies; China is running the entire world; yet the USA has a bunch of lazy workers. Republican's think long term? Whatever. They think, who can be the richest and most powerful by the next quarter. Beyond that, its everyone's game. I can't wait for China to realize the economic power they have and begin to threaten people with THEIR economic sanctions. Think if China decided to cut trading? We would get pissed at them for their lack of human rights (even though they are trying to raise their standards) and then attack them because they didn't comply with "western style" human rights. However, since China gives us stuff, we look the other way. Now when the Middle East regulates OUR oil... THAT'S a problem we need to fix. WHERE ARE YOUR HUMAN RIGHTS NOW?
What kind of economic sanctions can we really give to people for the long term? We aren't the world's richest country; we don't have the strongest currency; we import more then we export. Please tell me what people should be scared of if we "close" economic sanctions with them. Sure, it will hurt them. But they will get by. Believe me.
I take that back. Citgo will go under, because I am sure we fund them more then any other country.
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