Reader Comments
Issue 131 - May 5, 2009

Editor: In “OBush Foreign Policy,” you say that “In many ways, this is a vindication of President Bush.” Someone stole your identity and published this. This is preposterous. In fact, it is a condemnation (not a vindication) of the bipartisan corruption of the political establishment, Obama and Bush, a commie agrees with a Manichaean megalomaniac. This is a vindication? But then you say “Both sides are simply playing politics”-- apparently you caught the interloper, had him arrested, and regained control over your computer. So you also say, “Those worried about the prospects of a sound foreign policy during the Obama years might be more wisely concerned about too much rather than too little aggressive nation-building.” How does this vindicate Bush? It looks and sounds to me like a vindication of Ron Paul!! CM

Editor: While I do not support nation building and in retrospect can see the argument against the Iraq invasion, I do see a problem with your argument in “OBush Foreign Policy.” To be a hypocrite by favoring the Iraq War, and yet to have been against the war against Serbia would require that these two events were essentially the same. I would argue that they definitely were not. While Serbia was a destabilizing force in the Balkans, it is hard to argue that they posed any threat to the United States. This is especially true when taken in the context of the pre-911 mindset. Prior to the invasion of Iraq, you would have been hard pressed to find anyone in Congress to dispute the possibility that Saddam Hussein had either the possession of or the intent and possible capability to produce weapons of mass destruction. With an intelligence community that seemed incapable of providing vital information, we as a nation had to decide if the risk of a hostile and radical nation armed with WMD's was acceptable. We know that Hussein hated America, but can we say that of the Serbs prior to our bombing of their nation? If we play Monday morning quarterback, we can now say that Iraq did not have WMD's. In February of 2003, we couldn't say that. In regard to defense spending, you have a point about the similarity in the current Defense budget to that of the previous administration. However, it seems a bit shortsighted for either administration to assume that we must focus predominantly on insurgent warfare while ignoring the threats of nation states. Predator drones might be the best weapon against the Taliban and Al Qaeda, but what if the need arises to eliminate the nuclear threat from Iran, or God forbid, we actually have a deterioration of relations with Russia or China? The F-22 has shown to be the most advanced fighter in the world and has the best chance of surviving a strike deep inside Iran. With Iran being armed with advanced Russian surface to air missiles, our current fighters do not have the stealth to guarantee survival or success, the Raptor does. The F-35 cannot carry the armament, cruise as high or fast, or dogfight at the level of the F-22. A recent article in Popular Science reported on the Red Flag exercises and concluded that the F-22 can expect a kill ratio of 30:1. Our most seasoned fighter pilots who go up against the Raptor in our last generation F-15, F-16 and F-18's fully expect that they will be shot down. Most of them would be dead before they even realized that they had been engaged. I sincerely hope that we don't come to regret these decisions, be they by a Democrat or a Republican. The 911 commission came to the conclusion that part of our failure was a "failure of the imagination" in regard to threats against our nation. If merely the threat of "Star Wars" helped to bring down the Soviet Union, and to achieve air superiority in the event of war is of vital importance, then I must conclude that missile defense and an overwhelmingly and technologically superior Air Force are also vital to our defense budget. Sincerely, Brian Mitts

Editor: Regarding “OBush Foreign Policy,” how long is the conservative side of the issues going to sit back and let this nation slip into anarchy. There are a lot of us that are fed up with our elected officials taking a back seat or joining the leftists just to save their butts. Come election time I am hoping for a lot of changes for the betterment of this nation. Reed, Pelosi, Obama, Napolitano, Dodd, Franks and more have got to go! The people are letting a bunch of thugs ruin the country. Roger Bean

Editor: Regarding “OBush Foreign Policy” you should have gone after Chaney and Bush when they were making policy. You didn't so NOW we ALL have to suffer!!!! Live with it!!! Tom Stoner

Editor: Regarding Brent Bozell’s “Fox Garbage,” back in the fall, before the election “Family Guy” had a Nazi Officer wearing a "Palin" button. Never saw anyone mention that and Fox did not reply to my comment sent to both a local station and the national network offices. Phillip Thompson

Editor: I just read "Someone Else Will Pay" by Jeffrey Folks. I wish my two young sons 24, and 20 could comprehend what is happening. They have a rosy view of Obama. They attend California State Universities. I am going to email the article. Thanks Anna Welnick

Editor: Regarding Jeffrey Folks’ "Someone Else Will Pay" we do not need more government controlling our lives. I believe it is the government that has gotten us into the financial and other serious problems we are having today. They are and have been giving the message for a long time that they are only interested in their agendas and not what is for the good of the country. L

Editor: Jeffrey Folks in "Someone Else Will Pay" is exactly correct. It depends whose ox was gored. Long as it is good for me the h with all the others. Too bad we have gone down that street. The work ethic be damned. Terry Fake

Editor: Regarding Jeffrey Folks’ "Someone Else Will Pay" I have an idea that I’m sure is nothing new but here goes. I have written to my Senators that as far as I’m concerned the government should HAVE to balance the books. In other words, have them run the government like any private sector citizen in business has to, and in my case wants to. Other than my banker I want no one to bail me out. These people that we have put in office need to figure out that we are on to them and frankly that we are tired of it. And just like when our great president Mr. Obama did to the CEO of G.M. if they don’t do the job that we the people deem satisfactory then they have to go. ACCOUNTABILITY1 Tom Morgan

Editor: Regarding Mike Gray’s “Taxing Everything”, first of all, who is "they?" THEY, whoever they are need to be brought under control by the American people who have been too lazy to do anything about it. Now, the "government", which is supposed to be us, the people, is out of control along with the taxation process. I want to see a leader for a physical tax revolt or even a revolution if needed. I defended this great Nation in military service for 18 years and I am not about to live under any form of socialism.... period. I and millions of others have had enough and....I'm not afraid. These liberal jerks need to be squashed like bugs. Where is the leadership to take back our Country? Richard Christensen

Editor; In reference to Mike Gray’s “Taxing Everything”, wait and see where taxes will evolve, I predict - The very air we breath... and the CO2 we exhale based on the unconstitutional international treaties we sign and supported by the unscientific scam of global warming rhetoric!! Don't laugh - if cow flatulence can actually be viewed by these nuts as a serious contributor to the CO2 global warming lie when all real science points to solar activity, sun spots, (Not CO2) as the cause of limited climatic change in weather patterns - then prepare yourself, as I guarantee this taxation is going to be sold to the public! Great quotes in the article by the way! Johnathan A. Brooks

Editor” Regarding Alan Caruba’s “Cap and Trade Taxation” I just came across this brilliant stuff that the great drama queen Big Al Gore will be addressing Congress - on how the world will either burst into flames or be completely underwater shortly. I noted also that his greatest critic Lord Monkton former science advisor to the UK government has been denied equal time for the fear of humiliating big Al. How is this possible in a free democracy when so much money being spent to solve a total non-issue is at stake? Best Regards, Steve Mostarda CA

Editor: Everything John Goodman lists in his article “Obama War on Poor” that the president wants to eliminate have been strides to help the poor get out of poverty, but it is quite obvious that Obama and his administration talk the talk but do not walk the walk. He talked so much about education and now he is doing away with these voucher schools? It is absolutely disgusting and hypocritical. Here is a man who stressed education and is now taking away the thing that would get poor kids out of poverty by giving them a first class education. It is obvious to me that the Democratic Party and this administration's aim is to keep people beholding to the state; to keep them in poverty; to keep them uneducated; to keep them jobless with no chance of bettering themselves so they can built a stronger voting base for the future. People in poverty have to realize that if they count on the state and government for all their needs they will be in shackles all of their lives. So Obama wants people to be poor - that is his base, because anyone with a half an education, who is well read, who is interested in what is happening to our country will realize that they are being hoodwinked and used by the government. Their tax dollars are not being used for the purposes that would make people independent...The mindset of this administration is to keep people bound in the chains of poverty and no one is calling the administration or Obama on these important matters. MOM

Editor: I am a conservative blogger. A favorite but occasional topic I cover is famine and hunger as it relates to bone-headed liberal policies. I'd like to reprint or excerpt Dennis Avery's excellent article "U.S. Potato Famine?" I thank you for publishing a well-written and thought-provoking article. Very truly yours, WD

Editor: Dennis Avery's "U.S. Potato Famine?" is interesting but when starvation looms all sorts of 'purists' will find that hunger always beats political correctness. Robin Bates, Mesa, AZ

Editor: Dennis Avery's "U.S. Potato Famine?" is a great article. Keep up the good work. Dwight Ash

Editor: Dear Mrs. Hill, My heart and prayers are with you and your family. My son served under your husband (SFC Kris Wilson) and he just returned home a few short weeks ago. I want you to know that I have written a letter to the editor of my home town in Sonora California and urged everyone to also contact their Congressman. My son has 4 deployments and my other son has served 2 deployments and will be returning in May. I know the fear that loved ones face from the enemy but we shouldn't have to fear our own government. Congress sent them there and now they want to hang them out to dry. Not on my watch. I pray that the Army will come to their senses and see that your husband is a hero. Sincerely Barb Birks, Proud Army Mom

Editor: Regarding your piece “Help Captain Hill,” this officer, Captain Roger Hill, has been summarily vilified by a government that wants it both ways. They want our fighting men and women to put their lives on the line and expect them to do it with unrealistic and changing rules by the political winds. Please help this officer and his non-commissioned officer get their honor and dignity back. American political infighting shouldn't allow for our military to be rolled over just because Washington is playing politics. Keld

Editor: Regarding “Help Captain Hill” I just wanted to let you know I saw him on the O'Reilly Factor and I did write the Secretary of the Army telling him “I think you should authorize an honorable discharge for Capt. Hill or allow him to return to service as a commanding officer. This is not too much to ask since the Army prosecutors decided to downgrade everything to an Article 15 and allowed him to resign his commission (a way to subtly oust him from the Army). We need to remember that life is a lot messier at the front. I love every soldier that defends my country and May God bless each and everyone of them, please do the right thing for Capt. Hill. Sincerely, Kristin Vera