Don’t cut bait, run from Afghanistan
As I write, I am watching, listening to the Shanksville, Pa., memorial service where Flight 93 plowed the earth on 9-11-01, as a few heroes fought back. I feel a lump in my throat, and my eyes begin to water as memories of that day flash through my mind.
Lately, media surveys tell us the American people are growing weary of war and want to “cut bait and run” in Afghanistan. I, too, am weary of war, for as an old soldier I know personally its horrors. But I say we cannot give up the fight.
The last time we stuck it out and stayed the course was World War II. (Thank you, greatest generation.) There was no thought of quitting, no matter the cost.
In Korea, we were winning, but America grew weary and a new president (Eisenhower) was elected on a promise to end the war. China coined the phrase “paper tiger” to describe America’s guts. We cut bait and ran. In Vietnam (my war), we were winning but became weary again. We cut bait and ran. Hopefully, we have stabilized the Iraqi situation enough to continue our ongoing “withdrawal.”
Afghanistan is another story. Recall that originally we went there to vanquish al-Qaida and kill/capture Osama bin Laden. Al-Qaida persist, and bin Laden has yet to meet his demise. If we lose our resolve and quit Afghanistan before the mission is accomplished, we don our paper tiger suit. Worst, we would likely find ourselves subject to further attacks on an ever-increasing scale in our homeland.
Fellow Americans, do not give up the fight against terrorism. Pray for victory and urge our elected officials to steel their resolve to defend America by continuing to take the fight to those who wish us harm.
ó Ty Cobb Jr.
Rockwell
Not a moral right
Health care is not a right. In our Declaration of Independence it says, “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
To understand that health care is not a right, we must understand the meaning of the sentence written by our Founders. Unalienable rights are moral rights given by God and cannot be denied. The word unalienable contains the word alienate. The meaning of the word alienate is to transfer from one to another. The prefix “un” changes the word to say that something cannot be transferred. Therefore, the right to life cannot be transferred or put onto another.
We cannot force another to provide for our right. We are given the right to take action to help ourselves. We have the right to health care if we can pay for it. It is the action we take that is the right given to us. We do not have a right to another’s time, talent/skill or products. There are those who do not have health insurance, but they do not have the right to live off of others paying for it. We have the right to refuse to buy health insurance, and we each have the right to refuse health care.
If government controls health care, it will need to be paid and that will be accomplished by taxes from everyone. Government would also control the medical professionals and that is socialism. Socialism denies us our God-given rights. With socialism, everyone shares benefits whether they work for them or not.
Socialism does not work. Capitalism has worked and will continue to work as long as we allow it to do so.
ó June Clancy
Salisbury
Fine reporting on tour
May I take this opportunity to praise the Salisbury Post and writers Shelley Smith and Noelle Edwards for the very fine reporting of the Historic Salisbury Foundation’s OctoberTour 2009.
Last Sunday’s feature story and accompanying photographs showcased the 10 historic homes and faithfully described interesting aspects of each.
I am indeed grateful for the public response to the tour and credit the Post article (and beautiful fall day) for encouraging increased attendance on Sunday.
The foundation board joins me in thanking the Post for continuing to support our organization in its ongoing effort toward maintaining an historic presence in our community.
ó Sarah Kellogg
Salisbury
Kellogg is president of Historic Salisbury Foundation, Inc.