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Letters to the Editor: '73' from a local Ham operator A small correction to the "Fake Quake" article of April 1, 2003. I believe Emergency Response Team leader Michelle Argent was misquoted while referring to the Ham (not "hand" as stated in the article) radio system. Ham operators across the county provided backup communications for this drill using voice and digital radio links. They provided this service at no charge to the taxpayer, and often supply equipment at their own expense as well. Ham, not "hand," operators have played an important communications role in countless natural and man-made disasters. From severe weather in the east this year, to recovery efforts for the lost space shuttle. We do so without compensation, but it's nice if they get our name right once in a while. 73 (best regards in Ham speak) Gene Davies AA6NP Ashland *** It's time for Bush and Co. to resign It's too late to impeach. We the people should demand that Bush and crew resign. If not enough of us do and he doesn't, the gathering catastrophe is likely to explode like an atomic bomb. Who could rule then? A Congressional interim government pending special elections. Sound crazy? Sure. But not morally insane, not politically senseless, not a giant step backward toward barbarism before Baghdad was born like the American invasion of a small, religiously and ethnically divided nation, first crushed militarily, then strangled economically, 12 of its 24 million population children. Hal Jamison Ashland *** Use our power to promote peace I love my country! I respect and support the lives and well-being of our troops in Iraq. And I oppose this war from the depths of my soul. The administration has linked the war on terrorism with a personal vendetta against Saddam Hussein. No such linkage has been proven. The administration has linked patriotism to agreement with its pro-war stance. That narrow view limits free speech by equating a civil expression of loyal opposition to traitorship. My duty as a citizen is to ask my country to model democracy, to engage in peaceful resolution of conflict. In contrast, waging war is a harsh and wasteful business, hurting all involved. It was Al Qaida terrorists that perpetrated 9/11, not Saddam Hussein. By fostering this confusion and attempting violent resolution, Washington has inadvertently increased Hussein's stature in the Arab world and united most of the world against us. We cause great harm yet neglect homeland security and constructive coping with nuclear powers such as North Korea. We should be gaining strength by redirecting some military zeal and funding toward solving our health care problems, to rebuilding education, to improving the environment, and to managing the economy with fairness for all. For love of country and support for our troops, I ask our administration to use our vast power for peaceful cooperation with other nations. I reclaim our flag for peace and goodwill. Marjorie Ratner Ashland 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 -