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Letters for November 20, 2009
Seeing Heart Recipient On Beach Refreshing
It’s wonderful that Vernon Crawford had a donor (“Heart transplant patient gets back to life,” The Daily News, Nov. 8) and is doing fine.
What made me particularly happy was the giant photo. He’s disabled and the picture showed him on the beach, sitting near his car.
Thanks to all of the Texans who voted for Proposition 9 in the election.
Keep all of the beaches open. By voting for them, everyone can enjoy them.
Beverly White
Galveston
Why No More Flags At Veterans’ Graves?
As past commander of VFW Post 880 in Galveston, I’m concerned that I have seen no U.S. flags in the island’s three cemeteries to mark Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day for the past three years.
Our deceased veterans deserve more respect and I’d like to see a return to the tradition that I oversaw for 11 years as post commander.
Each year, my wife, my son, members of the ladies’ auxiliary and I placed more than 2,000 flags beside the veterans’ graves in the cemeteries.
Semper Fi.
Cecil Kahla
Galveston
Readers continue to write their thoughts on the shootings at Fort Hood and the incident’s aftermath.
President Showed No Warmth For Veterans
Thanks to the armed-services veterans for their sacrifices that made America the most blessed and free nation on God’s Earth.
My heart goes out to the families of all military personnel who support those who are in harm’s way everyday.
Our Armed Forces are stretched to breaking point and yet they continue to serve the nation they so dearly love.
I was deeply moved by the memorial ceremony at Fort Hood.
But, as a former soldier, I was very disappointed that our commander in chief could not share his heart without a teleprompter.
His address was well written and well read. Sadly, the man who should be leading our young men and women with encouragement and courage once again presented a persona so utterly vapid in sincerity, warmth and conviction.
Ted Duck
Dickinson
President’s Coin Is No Substitute For Salute
The American people should sit back and think about the events of this month.
We have endured another attack on our country, at Fort Hood.
This, the day before Veterans Day, we witnessed the president of our United States show an incredible amount of disrespect to the United States and its military.
As commander in chief, President Obama owed the men and women lost in the attack on Fort Hood the decency of a hand salute while passing their memorial.
The symbolic placement of the “Commander In Chief’s Coin” at each memorial was nothing more than a photo opportunity.
If we expect our men and women in uniform to continue to protect our freedom and way of life, the very least they should receive is a proper hand salute rendered by our president in their memoriam.
Michael Birkenseher
League City
We Do Need A Muslim Debate After Shootings
It seems Heber Taylor’s editorial “A time to mourn, not for a debate” (The Daily News, Nov. 7), about the shootings at Fort Hood, was premature. It’s also time to analyze what happened and why.
It’s clear it was a terrorist, radical Muslim attack based on a religion anchored in hate and violence for a minority of its members.
The Army dropped the ball on the signs that led to this one. Its commanders will have to study carefully how they can be sure other Muslims in the Armed Forces are not led by the same hate.
The debate about Muslims integrating into the Army and our society should have been decided long ago.
Look anywhere in the world and Muslims are involved in killing and terrorism because of their religion.
When we finish mourning we must look at why Muslims are killing and maiming everywhere we look, and whether it is a mistake to try to incorporate them into western society — at least those who have been radicalized by religion — and then do something about it.
As Taylor wrote, we have successfully integrated Africans, Mexicans, Irishmen, Germans and Japanese into the Army but not Muslims.
Why?
Ray Holbrook
Santa Fe
Equal Employment For All Means Everyone
Let’s get the truth out about HR 3017, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
This country was founded upon the principle of equal opportunity. Our government must continue to uphold this value for all Americans.
Federal law protects workers against discrimination based on their race, gender, religion, national origin or disability, but not on sexual orientation or gender identity.
In 29 states, it’s legal to fire otherwise qualified employees because they are lesbian, gay or bisexual. In 38 states, it’s legal to fire otherwise qualified employees because they are transgender.
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act isn’t about special treatment. It simply gives these workers the same rights and protections as their colleagues, ensuring that employees are judged for their performance, not for who they are.
The Act would make it illegal to fire, refuse to hire, or refuse to promote employees based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
It is important to spread the truth about the Act so all Americans are free from the fear of being fired because of their sexual orientation.
Gregory Frieden
San Antonio
Mother Nature Shows Folly Of Cutting Trees
After reading all the to-do about the oak trees on Galveston’s Broadway, I’m glad to see that Mother Nature has finally chimed in.
Have readers noticed all of the baby oaks springing up around some of the dead stumps?
Declare them historical or dead, say another tree will never grow in that spot, sit and ponder what should be done — it’s all in vain. Mother Nature will do as she pleases.
The sad thing is that, when the mowers come along, they will all be killed.
If left, most of us will never see their greatness shading Broadway, but future generations will know they are the trees allowed to grow after Hurricane Ike.
My hope is that these trees are saved. Maybe, if we stop messing with Mother Nature, things would go a bit better for us all.
I hope one day the city will learn this lesson about dumping sand on the beach, too.
Mother Nature will do as she pleases, and cares nothing about what we want.
Serena Cochrane
Galveston
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