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No parallels between Vietnam, Iraq
To the Editor:
Iraq, Iraq, Iraq! Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam! There are those who think parallels exist between the two when in reality there aren't any. The basic difference is the United States' involvement in Vietnam was a commitment to an international organization known as the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization. Much like the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, members were to assist other members should a member country be invaded by an enemy.
We entered Vietnam because a SEATO member – South Vietnam – was invaded by North Vietnam. Other SEATO member nations joined the U.S. in the fight. A coalition was already in place: SEATO member countries. We abided by the membership criteria and thus we became a participant in what eventually became a most unpopular conflict.
I was stationed at Clark Air Base in the Philippines during the early days of our buildup of troops in Vietnam and was very familiar with SEATO due to being assigned to the base public information office and Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.
Now to Iraq. The United States in this case became an aggressor comparable to North Vietnam. There was no formal international organization of which we are or were members of that provided a basis for invasion. Vietnam was clear cut; Iraq is, was, and will ever be a murky and foggy situation. The attempts by our United Nations delegation and secretary of state were so very transparent as to be almost shameful in the eyes of the world.
President George W. Bush in his first public debate with Senator John Kerry emphasized that we must become "offensive" in our stand against those who have weapons of mass destruction and the international terrorist community. The assumption must be made, based on his statement, that our "Department of Defense" and our "Secretary of Defense" must have their names changed to "Department of Offense" and "Secretary of Offense." That's truly reassuring to the rest of the world. "Don't let your guard down, you may be next to find U.S. troops marching into your country," is what Bush is telling the world.
When Mr. Bush became our leader, his knowledge of the world geography and international politics was laughable. I laughed about that for awhile, but my laughter changed to a mix of pity, unbelief, anger and frustration because of his total lack of international understanding. I respect Mr. Colin Powell as a military man, but he has been ineffective as our secretary of state. I do admire him for his recent revelations that put him at odds with President Bush.
Mr. Bush should not have been elected president in 2000, and hopefully he will quickly fade into American history come November. I'm fearful for the world (including the United States) if he's re-elected.
David Redman
Sylva
Be grateful for utility workers' dedication
To the Editor:
We should all be grateful for the dedicated people who work for the utility companies supplying our area.
I personally know people who have been working around the clock to restore our telephone, power and cable services. They have sacrificed time with their families, friends and loved ones to take care of our needs.
Instead of greeting them with "What took you so long?" let's greet them with a thank you.
Everyone can't be first, so be patient. And when your service is restored, be thankful. Unless you know the pople who are working to restore your service, you don't know what they have given up to satisfy us and supply our utility needs.
When we see these dedicated people, we should be polite, patient and above all, thankful.
Roy Ginn
Sylva
Another writer chips in about SMHS football
To the Editor:
The letter to the editor concerning Smoky Mountain Football in the Sept. 30 edition of The Sylva Herald sure lit a fire in the football community of Jackson County.
Many people expressed the need to build the fire, but it took Robert Parris, a former Tuscola football standout who has lived in Jackson County for several years, to strike the match.
While I believe most of what was written, especially the part concerning the former school board and the waste of hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars, if there were inflammatory comments made by the letter-writer, his purpose was achieved.
Perhaps now a forum with the coaching staff and athletic director will be opened to improve athletics at Smoky Mountain. When controversial issues are raised, such as coaches, athletic directors and former school boards, you get responses from people on both sides of the fence.
Both sides have their merits. Hopefully, now all will work toward the common goal of athletics and academics, second to none in North Carolina.
While not being personally acquainted with Coach Tim Hawkins, I'm sure he is a person of impeccable character and to him I extend my best wishes on his coaching career.
Lastly, isn't it funny how those that complain the loudest and seem to have all the answers are the ones who refuse to get involved? You know who you are.
Donald Parris
Sylva
Challenges WCU, local leaders to ban animal acts like circus
To the Editor:
On Oct. 18, the Royal Hanneford Circus is coming to Western Carolina University. On the surface, this seems like a glorious event for families and children. Bright lights, beautiful costumes, and exotic animals. Herein lies the problem; the exotic animals displayed and paraded in circuses live a life of misery only to thrill audiences for a couple of hours each night.
Consider elephant acts. Elephants in the wild have three basic needs: family relationships and sociable herding; live vegetation on which to feed, and freedom of movement. None of these are provided in the circus setting. The public does not see the chaining, cramped travel, and intimidation that is called "training." We only see the glamour and glitz of fancy costumes and silly tricks.
As a family therapist, I work with many children with wonderful hearts and souls. I feel quite certain that most of them, like children everywhere, would refuse to attend the circus if they could go "behind the scenes."
I challenge Western Carolina University to stop allowing animal acts on its grounds. I challenge local council members to pass a ban on these kinds of acts. I also call for local animal control to conduct an inspection on this circus. Inspection guidelines can be downloaded for free at circuses.com.
Keith DeLancey
Sylva
Important to share correct library information
To the Editor:
Misinformation relating to the new Jackson County Public Library has a way of seeping around the edges of this important work. It is a time for clarity of word and thought. Rumors, innuendo, and stretching the facts do nothing to further the process. To this end, I write to communicate the latest timeline and work as adopted by the Jackson County Board of Commissioners.
September 2004: Commissioners announced that an offer had been made to purchase the site located at Jackson Plaza for the price of $210,000. Commissioners authorized that the remaining library budget for the current year be used for architectural fees to develop planning drawings for the new site. These initial drawings will be used by community committees to further their work. Commissioners contracted with the grant writer at the Elgar Group to facilitate fund-raising and grant-writing activities.
October 2004: Commissioners authorized the Jackson County Library Board to appoint two committees composed of community members. One committee would work to involve all interested groups and individuals in the community to voice their vision for the new library. The other committee would work with the grants writer at the Elgar Group to plan fund-raising activities and oversee the financial decisions related to the new library.
July 2006: The Board of Commissioners will advertise the existing library for sale with delayed closing/rental option until the new facility is completed. Proceeds will be used to defray capital costs of new facility.
January 2007: The two committees will report final recommendations to Commissioners related to fund-raising and design.
July 2007: Commissioners will adpt final plans for the new library and will seek the balance of funding required.
July 2007-January 2008: Time period reserved for complete architectural and engineering planning and for obtaining final funding.
January 2008: Commissioners will award the contract for the new library.
March 2008: Groundbreaking ceremony and construction to begin.
July 2009: Open new Jackson County Public Library.
It is important to note that this timeline is not written in stone. It will be guided by the two community committees and the time they need to do their work. It is also important to note that the committees truly are to be composed and led by the community. The Library Board is responsible for ensuring the fair and equitable composition of the committees. An important aspect of the work of these committees is to ensure that the public is informed on a regular basis about the ongoing work. Regular reports to newspapers are a must. Developing a Web site that citizens can access would heighten the accessibility of information. The Library Board should publish current membership with contact information.
Community members can begin thinking about ways they can best contribute to the new library. It would be so good if funding and planning for the new library truly were a community-led effort with all book/library lovers involved. And please, if you have accurate information, make it known. If this letter is incorrect in any way, say so. That is the only way a community effort can proceed on a firm foundation.
Linda Watson
Sylva
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