Some Not Worthy

To Pledge Our Flag

Thanks to Glenn Gilchrist for reminding me why I voted for Howard Coble, even if I disagree with his no vote on tort reform. I gather Gilchrist's criteria for voting is, if it spends taxpayer money and expands regulation and the reach of government, vote yes; if not, vote no. Coble's votes seem to suggest just the opposite.

Also, thanks for Kevin Smith's list of things liberals have given us (of course, with the help of a lot of conservatives). Liberals would never pass anything without careful consultation of some conservative ideas to ensure a "bipartisan" vote.

He failed to mention that Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Part D and most other government programs are mismanaged, riddled with waste and fraud, going broke and, along with the stimulus, bailouts, government takeovers and proposed health-care "reform," are bankrupting the United States.

He also failed to mention some very important tenants of the liberal elites' philosophy. It is imperative that others pay for all this liberal largess, resulting in taxes that are way too high, preferably on the rich but really on anyone who produces anything personally or through a small business or corporation. The government should regulate (though Obama has changed "regulate" to "takeover") everything it can, remove all sense of personal responsibility and make as many people as possible dependent on government.

The Republicans' more mundane philosophy of smaller government, a healthy respect for capitalism, fewer taxes and regulation and more personal responsibility and freedom in our lives doesn't resonate with Smith.

I agree with him on one thing, however. Those who would destroy our country in pursuit of fortune or influence are not worthy to pledge our flag.

Jack Olsen

Foxfire Village

Pearl Harbor Homage

I am a battleship USS Oklahoma (BB37) Pearl Harbor survivor. That fateful day 67 years ago, Dec. 7, 1941, is a date that will live in infamy and is the day that changed not only the course of history but the course of so many of our lives.

On that Sunday morning, the ship's company consisted of 85 officers (three Marines included) and 1,294 enlisted men (77 Marines included), totaling 1,379, and the Oklahoma displaced nearly 36,000 tons.

The first Japanese attack wave force at 7:55 a.m. consisted of 183 aircraft, 51 VAL dive bombers, 43 Zero fighters, 40 Kate torpedo bombers and 49 high-level bombers and took about one hour to complete their mission and targets of airfields and battleships.

The second Japanese attack wave force at 8:45 a.m. consisted of 171 aircraft, 81 VAL dive bombers, 36 Zero fighters and 54 high-level bombers and took about one hour to complete their mission and targets of other ships and shipyard facilities.

The Japanese assault left 2,403 casualties - Navy, 2,008; Marines, 109; Army, 218; and 68 civilians killed plus 1,178 wounded - Navy, 710; Marines, 69; Army 364; civilians, 35.

Tomorrow, Dec. 7, is the 68th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, and I would like to pay homage and tribute to the 2,403 casualties, especially to my 443 deceased shipmates.

Finally, I would like to quote the following words from a beautiful poem, which pays a wonderful tribute to those who died on that day.

Man must begin to live as one

No matter what the cost.

For all who died that Sunday morn

We bow our heads and pray.

For them, please grant them peace.

For us ... a better way.

R.S. "Swede" Boreen

Pinehurst

What Gives?

Why does President Obama not give our generals all they requested (including 40,000 troops, not 30,000) to win the war in Afghanistan, but does give the American people a giant health-care insurance overhaul, which Americans overwhelmingly do not want?

Who knows better how to win a war?

Who knows better what they want in health care?

Peggy Smetana

Southern Pines