Published: June 19, 2009 04:45 pm         

Readers' Forum: June 20, 2009

Toles cartoon told it like it really is

This letter is in response to letters by Raymond E. Broshar and Van Cottom. It appears they were “offended”, “indignant”, etceteras, over a cartoon by Tom Toles that was in the Opinion section of the Tribune-Star. This cartoon compared Bush and Cheney to Saddam Hussein, and there was nothing wrong with that picture. All three were dictators that tortured people, and are responsible for the deaths of thousands.

Bush and Cheney ignored repeated warning from their own advisers that al-Qaida was going to bring devastation on the U.S.A. As a result of their ignorance, 3,000 people died on 9/11, and countless more have life-threatening illness from breathing the toxic fumes on 9/11. Then Bush and Cheney started a needless war, built on lies and deceit, and around 4,000 American military personnel died, and countless Iraqis died also, as a result of that war.

Just like Saddam Hussein, Bush and Cheney lied, deceived, and circumvented the law to give wealth and power to a certain sector of society, wreaking havoc and devastation on the rest of the people. In America it is the middle class now suffering the most from this recession/depression, brought on by the GOP Congress and lead by Bush/Cheney.

There is nothing too insulting, too demeaning, or derogatory, when it comes to Bush/Cheney. Just like Saddam, Bush/Cheney were a couple of common thugs who set up a dictatorship. The difference here is that the GOP had to remove Saddam from power because he tortured and killed people. Bush/Cheney tortured people, and the blood of those who have died from the Iraq fiasco is on their hands. But the GOP defends Bush/Cheney, and would have us all anoint them as heroes.

The reaction to the Toles cartoon points out the “chink”, or weak spot, in the GOP armor. They don’t want you to be reminded of the truth about the Bush/Cheney reign of terror, from 2000 to 2008, and they are offended when someone puts it out there for all to see.

During the 2008 campaign, the GOP constantly referred to Obama as a Muslim and made racially tinged remarks about him. I wonder how offended Mr. Broshar and Mr. Cottom would be if a racially tinged cartoon about Obama would appear in the T-S.

— Ron Hastings

Clinton

Obama has U.S. on a scary path

I’m appalled and disgraced by our U.S. president’s action over the last couple of months.

A. Being apologetic to Europe for our nation’s actions, inferring we were stuck up.

B. Bowing to a Saudi leader so the whole world could see. We should never bow to anyone.

C. The closing of the detainee prison camp for Iraqi terrorists in Cuba at the U.S. Naval Base, because of torture that was authorized by Congress to save lives.

D. Cutting our nation’s national defense budget at a time of war on terrorism.

E. Saying in public that we are not a Christian nation. Which is a blunder at best. If it were not for our millions of Christians and prayer, maybe God would not have looked on us with favor as He has in the past. Our country was founded on Christian principles by men and women of faith and values, and it continues to this day.

F. Does he hope to nationalize our banks, taking away free enterprise and creating a bigger government?

G. Does he want the government to run GMC Auto Company, or sell the stock and control to the unions, as payback for support to help elect Obama?

H. Where did Obama get the power to fire Mr. Wagoner, (the CEO of GMC). Our Constitution is supposed to forbid actions by government to fire or ask to resign a CEO of a private company.

I. Despite polls showing large-scale opposition, Obama pushes for dramatic immigration amnesty later this year.

J. Obama’s actions are paralyzing the CIA. His condemnation of harsh interrogation tactics and demonization of CIA officials leaves the CIA afraid to move. Even though they were approved by Congress, the Justice Department, and past President Bush. The CIA proved that waterboarding and interrogation has proven to be very successful in saving American lives, and apprehending terrorist leaders.

My president and yours, along with Congress’ approval, has put us so far in debt we can’t even afford the interest, and China owns a large portion of the debt, and that’s scary in itself.

I’m worried for our nation, we should continue with outrage the tea parties and write your senators and congressmen voicing your opinions on high taxes.

As a Christian nation I ask you to pray for our nation and leaders now more than ever. Put you trust in God, not on man.

— Bill Bruce

Paris, Ill

Smokers have rights same as nonsmokers

I recently read a letter in the Brazil Times titled “Nonsmokers: Leave Us Alone” by Nancy Rutledge.

Way to go Nancy. It’s about time someone held up for us tobacco users. She said there was a time when we really had freedom and rights in this country. Not anymore.

She’s right about a lot of things, but the do-gooders have got the most rights, they always have and always will. She’s right again about some more things — smokers deserve a tax break because they don’t have the right to sit and enjoy themselves at a restaurant or any public place.

Although I’m not a smoker, I enjoy chewing smokeless tobacco such as Timber Wolf, Longhorn, Kayak and occasionally Skoal.

I wrote a letter myself a couple of years ago, defending the tobacco growers and the companies. They don’t twist anyone’s arm to get them to use their products any more than the breweries or bars force people to drink their beer.

People who develop illnesses are always quick to blame the tobacco companies for something they brought on themselves. If these do-gooders want to blame someone they need to blame themselves. Look at yourself in the mirror.

As for us tobacco users, we need to look up at the bureaucrats in the higher offices that make up these idiot non-smoking laws so the do-gooders will keep voting them in.

On another subject, I have read time after time letters telling how great the busy corner restaurant is. If you’re familiar with Brazil then you’ll know the one I’m talking about. The same one with names like Coffee Cup, Jackson’s Family Restaurant, Stoll’s Amish Restaurant, Nelson’s Blue Bonnet, Just Plain Old Blue Bonnet and of course Monnett and Bray’s.

Several names and several owners. If it’s so great, then how come none of them stayed in business long?

There’s only one place I’d like to compliment and that’s Eddie’s Sandwich Shop, always have, and always will, good food, good group of people.

As for Clay City, Rockville, and Terre Haute, you all have good restaurants.

Keep the presses rolling, don’t let Facebook or Craigslist worry you. I think newspapers will still be around for a long time.

Until next time, take care and be fair.

— John Weddle

Brazil