Readers' voice; Dec. 4, 2008
Many Bush cronies should be indicted
Editor:
Recently, a district attorney in Texas indicted several local enemies and two national figures: former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Vice President Dick Cheney. While the humor is hard to miss, these actions highlight a dilemma. When George Bush leaves office, he returns to everyday life in which all of us are held responsible for our actions. This president thinks he can walk away.
Bush launched a pre-emptive - unprovoked - war against a sovereign nation (Iraq) resulting in destruction, suffering and death for hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians. He authorized the use of torture to extract information from prisoners. He allowed some to be handed over to foreigners for brutal interrogation, causing irreparable harm to democratic processes, the rule of law, and the good name of his country.
It may seem funny when a prosecutor in Texas makes a political statement.
Nevertheless, there are reasons to indict many in this administration. They overreached the powers of the Constitution, they violated norms and standards they were to enforce, and they inflicted harm on others without immediate necessity. They are lawbreakers; they must be held responsible for these actions.
Ted Vehse
Morgantown
Small choices can make big difference
Editor:
Where was The Charleston Gazette on a recent Saturday? Not at the Cultural Center Theater, that's for sure. The newspaper should have been there covering the West Virginia Coal Film Festival, sponsored by the Sierra Club. Independent films were shown, explaining the impact of coal on the air, climate, the land and it's people.
One film in particular "Kilowatt Ours" had easy-to-understand charts of how a simple act like replacing even one incandescent light bulb with a CFL (compact fluorescent light) can make a huge difference in our future. This film clearly pointed out that if we each make certain economical and ecological adjustments in our own home, our national dependence on coal will significantly decrease. It was a 35-minute profound film. You should have seen it! (see www.KilowattOurs.org)
The future is now. Our kids and grandkids need us to steer the way for them. Films like this and programs like the Coal Film Festival can help everyone make a difference in their own homes, now.
Tina Rappaport
Chloe
Bringing troops home will help economy
Many Bush cronies should be indicted
Editor:
Recently, a district attorney in Texas indicted several local enemies and two national figures: former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Vice President Dick Cheney. While the humor is hard to miss, these actions highlight a dilemma. When George Bush leaves office, he returns to everyday life in which all of us are held responsible for our actions. This president thinks he can walk away.
Bush launched a pre-emptive - unprovoked - war against a sovereign nation (Iraq) resulting in destruction, suffering and death for hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians. He authorized the use of torture to extract information from prisoners. He allowed some to be handed over to foreigners for brutal interrogation, causing irreparable harm to democratic processes, the rule of law, and the good name of his country.
It may seem funny when a prosecutor in Texas makes a political statement.
Nevertheless, there are reasons to indict many in this administration. They overreached the powers of the Constitution, they violated norms and standards they were to enforce, and they inflicted harm on others without immediate necessity. They are lawbreakers; they must be held responsible for these actions.
Ted Vehse
Morgantown
Small choices can make big difference
Editor:
Where was The Charleston Gazette on a recent Saturday? Not at the Cultural Center Theater, that's for sure. The newspaper should have been there covering the West Virginia Coal Film Festival, sponsored by the Sierra Club. Independent films were shown, explaining the impact of coal on the air, climate, the land and it's people.
One film in particular "Kilowatt Ours" had easy-to-understand charts of how a simple act like replacing even one incandescent light bulb with a CFL (compact fluorescent light) can make a huge difference in our future. This film clearly pointed out that if we each make certain economical and ecological adjustments in our own home, our national dependence on coal will significantly decrease. It was a 35-minute profound film. You should have seen it! (see www.KilowattOurs.org)
The future is now. Our kids and grandkids need us to steer the way for them. Films like this and programs like the Coal Film Festival can help everyone make a difference in their own homes, now.
Tina Rappaport
Chloe
Bringing troops home will help economy
Editor:
Treat the source, not the symptom.
On Sept. 11, 2001, Osama bin Laden set out to ruin America financially. When President Bush, in reprisal, did the wrong thing by starting a needless war, followed by myriad goofs, bin Laden's purpose began working. Now this can be stopped.
The economy is the prime concern of our leaders and Barack Obama.
The way to heal the economy is to bring all troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan back to America. With the ending of these wars many things will happen:
1. Thousands of GIs will be added to the buying public.
2. Joy to their families will give them a sense of normalcy, with Christmas not far away; the gross national product will grow by leaps and bounds. New car sales will grow, all retail business will flourish again. Incomes will be reassured, etc. America will again have peace and prosperity. But this must be done at once to take advantage of the Christmas buying season!
If this is not done, bin Laden's wish for the financial doom for America will be a reality!
Thomas Owens
St. Albans
Having safety net is not socialism
Editor:
I was reading several articles and letters recently about the concern that the country is heading toward socialism! I do not recall anyone complaining about socialism when the government was passing out income tax rebate checks! What does that tell you about human nature and socialism?
We do need to address the issue of the workerless society. Even if we did not export jobs to China or Mexico there would still be a job shortage. We cannot solely rely on the private sector to provide jobs. It is not socialism to want a guaranteed safety net for all Americans. It is Christian! While chance, luck and hard work have a place in our world, the growing numbers demand that something be done!
Louis P. Cervone
St. Albans
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