Thursday, May 29, 2008
A look back on the error known as the Bush years
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A look back on the error known as the Bush years
Dubya's legacy with eight months to go: Abu Ghraib. Guantanamo. Iraq invasion. Katrina -- "You're doing a heckuva job, Brownie."
Home foreclosures. Weakened dollar. Imprisonment without trial. Jobs lost overseas. Four thousand-plus dead troops -- "So?" says Cheney.
Walter Reed Army Hospital wounded soldier care. Stolen elections. Disagreeing Americans are traitors. Disbanding, without disarming, the 550,00-man Iraqi army.
Defying congressional subpoenas. Outsourcing interrogation to other nations. Multibillion-dollar no-bid contracts. Oil company executives crafting energy laws.
No Child Left Behind. Waterboarding. Saber-rattling with Iran. Engaging in Israeli-Arab peace process after seven years of inaction.
Preventing Medicare negotiation of seniors' drug prices. Subverting independence of U.S. attorneys. Halliburton paying the vice president while he is a public official. Blackwater guards killing Iraqi civilians with legal immunity.
Drug companies writing Medicare drug plan. Iraq war aftermath planning. "Mission Accomplished!" CIA's Iraq "slam dunk!" Lying to the U.N. Classifying Iraq war post-traumatic stress disorders as pre-existing conditions.
Failure to know difference between Sunnis and Shi'a. Failure to sign Kyoto Protocol and denying global warming. Illegal immigration. Tax cuts for rich. Shrinking middle class.
Denigrating traditional allies. Losing Osama bin Laden. Taliban resurgence in Afghanistan. Gasoline prices.
Cyclist's commute was unexpectedly pleasant
On May 16, National Bike to Work Day, I rode my bike to work. This is nothing new. I've been riding to work for two years now. What were unprecedented were the honks I received from two motorists that day.
These were friendly "toot-toot" acknowledgments rather than the long, hard honks I occasionally receive from a carload of teens attempting to startle or an aggressive driver unwilling to concede a small share of asphalt.
I even got a wave that day -- a whole hand rather than a single finger. I suspect these affirmations were due, in part, to Dan Casey's excellent coverage of bicycle commuters a few days earlier ("Geared up," May 13 Extra section).
Thank you, Roanoke Times. And thank you to all the motorists who, at times, have the difficult and nerve-wracking task of sharing the road with me, especially those who do so affectionately.
The market decides executive pay
The May 24 letter by Robert Howe, "Capping CEO salaries is a good idea," regarding a May 13 business story about a proposed $500,000 executive cap, shows that Marxism/communism and class envy/class warfare are alive and well.
Karl Marx said, "From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs."
Limiting CEO salaries to $500,000 for top managers responsible for the livelihoods of thousands of people is ridiculous. Steve Jobs of Apple Inc. has an annual salary of $1, but made $616 million last year.
Why should only executives of corporations be subject to the cap? There is no reason directors, movie stars and athletes should be immune. Why not limit the compensation for Steven Spielberg ($332 million), Angelina Jolie ($20 million per movie) or Alex Rodriguez ($28 million)?
In a free, capitalist society, the marketplace determines the compensation package. CEOs are paid what the board of directors and stockholders decide is the value of their contribution to the organization. Babe Ruth, when asked by a reporter why he was demanding $80,000 when President Herbert Hoover was paid only $75,000, reportedly replied, "I had a better year than Hoover."
Cheap gas, it seems, was the fool's dream
Years ago, upon hearing that Europeans were paying $4 for a gallon of gas, a delicious smugness came over me as I thought, "What fool would pay $4 for a gallon of gas?"
Quit griping, or run for office
Regarding "Bush's great war sacrifices? He gave up golf" (May 18 Horizon section):
I'll bet I'm not alone when I dismiss Dan Radmacher's columns as rant. His latest ad hominem attack on a sitting U.S. president is seditious.
All presidents make mistakes, and President Bush is no exception. Still, most Americans, liberals and conservatives, are glad to have avoided another 9/11.
Radmacher appears as a Monday-morning quarterback at best. At worst, he's a pathetic, presidential wannabe we didn't elect. He should look at the stats on who troops voted for in both elections.
It's easy to criticize from a desk in Roanoke. America should and will do more for our brave troops, but prefer a leader who supports their victory over withdrawal in defeat.
Radmacher should sacrifice writing for the enemy and run for office if he really cares for the troops. Better yet, he should take up golf.
Veterans observance was short on chairs
I attended the Memorial Day observance hosted by the Roanoke Valley Veterans Council at the Roanoke Valley War Memorial, at Lee Plaza in downtown Roanoke, dedicated to the memory of World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam war dead. I have missed only a few Memorial Day observances at Lee Plaza.
To my dismay, only about 20 chairs were available for those who came to honor the memory of those who paid the ultimate price and sacrifice. My friend, Lt. Col. Dan Karnes, retired U.S. Army, who served as master of ceremonies, told me he had to rely on veterans service organizations to bring chairs.
I'm thankful that Tony Hehn, a 98-year-old World War II veteran, had a seat among others who were seated. Many who have impairments, myself included, had to stand throughout the program.
Roanoke government, is that how to respect and honor our veterans and their families? Our veterans and armed forces members deserve better.
Sgt. First Class, retired U.S. Army
Even Beamer isn't above criticism
I read Martha Cassell's letter and could feel only one strong emotion: disappointment ("A foul shot at Coach Beamer," May 27). Did I miss the ceremony at the Vatican where Frank Beamer was given saint status?
Beamer is a public figure, and as with all public figures, he is going to come under criticism. The beautiful thing is, as Americans, we have the right to voice our criticism.
I think Beamer would sell his soul and principles to the devil to win another ACC title. Goodness knows what he would do for a national title.
But in the spirit of Memorial Day this past weekend, remember: Someone died so that we could have these freedoms. Don't jump on The Roanoke Times or the person writing it because they say or print something you don't agree with.
Take on the ACLU and fight for rights
I read the front-page article about the ACLU sticking its nose into the Craig County School Board and Board of Supervisors, trying to intimidate them because of their approval of a religion course for high school students, ("Religion course at school disputed," May 22 news story).
How much more intimidation do we take from this godless group of lawyers? There was concern that litigation with the ACLU would be too expensive. There are times when principle is more important than money.
The ACLU claims it fights for civil rights. What about the First Amendment rights of these students? What about their rights of religious freedom?
Supervisors and board members of Craig County, do what is right. Keep the religion course active in your school. It's the right thing to do and God will bless you for it. Yes, ACLU, I said God.
A refreshing take on global warming
Thank you for the commentary by Sherwood Thoele ("Global warming or cooling? Who knows?" May 19). I almost dismissed it as more political spin or media drivel. However, when I checked Thoele's credentials, I became interested and read it with gusto.
This article is based on fact, is logical and so well-written that any lay person can follow it through. My hope is that the newspaper will give it broader exposure through its parent corporation and even further. My other hope is to see more articles from Thoele.
