I just read Rick Gagliardo's Sept. 3 letter, "Obama Had Courage to Choose Joe Biden." As a bit of a qualifier, I am a retiring Army senior noncommissioned officer with 24 years in service.

It seems all Americans have opinions. Pick a topic in a group and many will offer logic. I will speak as a man in an arena with experience -- genuine boots-on-the-ground knowledge, offering my opinion.

The Gagliardo letter reeks of no firsthand knowledge. I am tired, as an American, of unqualified opinions. We in the Army deal in absolutes. Black and white. Good and bad. What is in front of us. As a soldier, I know all about gray. But absolutes, this we know.

Sen. McCain is an American of proven historic dedication, of valor and loyalty to these United States. He has no lack of experience or agenda shrouded in whether to place his hand over his heart or not, based on an American song or pledge. There is no cloud, no gray.

Of the selection for vice president, he made a decision. And like all my qualified superiors, I support it. He went in a direction that is based on his qualified, best judgment. He is not a man with a shred of doubt or questionable background, heritage or national loyalty.

I have doubt about Barack Hussein Obama in these areas, and I do not trust him. I trust McCain.

The word trust is not debated or brought up by the likes of the letter writer. There are those out there who intend to bring demise to this country. McCain makes decisions based on real knowledge of that fact. Obama has no such knowledge.

Robert Smith

Pinebluff