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Letters to the Editor: A letter to President Bush We now have our berserkers, our friendly fire (killing more Americans and English than the Iraqis have), our young people killed, wounded and terrified in Iraq, the Iraqi civilians living in terror and confusion, the people of America and England emotionally divided, angry, depressed, grieving, confused, hungry, uneducated and physically ill. And you offer us "shock" and "awe." The time of your "empire" will show as a slump on the graph of humanity's growth, if we survive your illusions. May we be blessed with leaders of vision and wisdom from this time forth. Jill Iles, Talent Veterans don't deserve what the GOP is trying to do to them On March 20, I read with horror in The Nation magazine online that the Republican majority on the House Budget Committee has just passed a resolution that would cut $844 million from veterans' medical care for next year. And there's more: over the next 10 years the Republican changes would cut 24.7 billion - with a "b" - for veterans' medical care, disability compensation and other benefits. In other words: at the very moment men and women in the armed forces are being sent into military action, the Republicans back home are cutting their current and future benefits - including payments to their families, should they be killed in action. This is another cruel example of budget cuts to compensate for the huge Bush tax cut. No matter what you believe about the war, our servicemen and women deserve all the support we can possibly give them. They certainly do not deserve to be betrayed behind their backs while they're off fighting overseas and also protecting us here at home. Please e-mail the House Speaker, Dennis Hastert, and let him know what an outrage this is. Tell everyone you know. This Republican resolution must be stopped. Address: [email protected]. gov or call 202-225-2976 or fax 202-225-0697. Julia Tucker, Ashland Setting the record straight on war plan for Iraq Nancy (letter to editor March 21), I think maybe the secret to understanding the policy toward Iraq is listening to and reading legitimate media sources. There never was a plan to "level Baghdad." The "Shock and Awe" that had all the paranoids in panic has always been a plan to hit military targets in such a massive way that would show the Iraqi leadership that they have no chance of surviving and they would be better off if they surrender. I think we will see a minimum of civilian damage and disruption of vital services and, eventually, a very happy citizenry running their own country and controlling their own oil resources. This is what the president has been saying and he is a man of his word. I for one am thankful he is in charge. Bob Clark, Ashland Guest Forum: Civil disobedience should not be tolerated By Mike Drager Ashland Citizens and/or business owners in Ashland TAKE NOTE! On March 20, the war protest movement briefly inundated the downtown area with what must be identified as a mob. The mob mentality was most evident when a grandfather and his 4 year old granddaughter were accosted in his Ford Bronco on Lithia way in the early afternoon by several alleged war protesters. Several masked individuals moved into the path of this man's vehicle and proceeded to pound on the car and scream epithets, traumatizing the little girl. This incident was taped and shown by one of the local TV crews. Most vehemently, I did not vote for Bush and I do not approve of the attack on Iraq, but I equally disapprove of civil disobedience resulting in violence, property damage and any infringement on my rights as a citizen. The above mentioned vehicle was damaged by the pounding and a little girls right to a peaceful existence was infringed upon. The perpetrators in this incident are no less than terrorists, in addition to being guilty of criminal acts including property damage, criminal trespass (the Exxon station) and terroristic threatening. To advocate peace by terrorizing fellow human beings and destroying property is ludicrously contradictory. I would never deny the protestor's right to free speech and assembly, but there is a criminal element among them, probably made up of a very small percentage. I regard these perpetrators as not only criminals, but sniveling cowards hiding behind black masks. If the protest movement cannot or will not police themselves, then we must do it through our law enforcement agencies. Criminal activity must be fully prosecuted and punished. If the residents and/or business owners of Ashland want their peaceful way of life and excellent reputation as a visitor destination to remain intact, they need to act. Call the mayor, city business manager, Ashland Police, the media or anyone else that may be in a position to help resolve this situation. I heard one protester declare the Iraq war protests will be 10 times the magnitude of the Vietnam protests. Many innocent citizens were injured and killed during these uprisings. It can't happen here? LIKE HELL IT CAN'T! Make a sacrifice for peace and bewilling to compromise By Douglas Snider Medford The live television coverage of the horrifying daily bombardment of Baghdad and up close and personal view of deadly firefights is graphically chilling. Unless you have already developed a taste for this new flavor of reality television, this quote from the Washington Post ought to dash any hope you might have salvaged from the last few months of history. "� many officers here believe that Operation Iraqi Freedom is just the latest campaign in a protracted global war that likely will last for the rest of their careers and beyond." This sentiment from the on-scene commanders of the Second Bush War may reflect the real vision of our current leadership. Is this the "peace dividend" that we dreamed of as the Cold War ground to a non-lethal halt? Is this how mankind will deal with its increasing numbers and diminishing resources? Is a world where peace has no place what we are really fighting for? As I watch this blockbuster production of Secretary of Death Rumsfield, I wonder if I should ask my sons' forgiveness for bringing them into a world with so little hope. When I see a majority of my fellow citizens rally around an inarticulate underachiever made president I fear that our real greatness is doomed. As one professional diplomat after another finds that they must walk away from a lifetime of public service to live with their consciences I wonder who will remain to speak for reason. The millions worldwide who have taken this issue to the streets suggest that there is a considerable force that could prevail against a very dark future. Salvaging the reign of humanity on our planet will require leaders like few in our history. It will require a coalition of those willing to sacrifice for peace and willing to compromise for a single purpose. We must put aside the few issues that divide and commit ourselves to the one issue that unites us and most of the world. This cannot happen again. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -