LETTERS

To the Editor:

There are two sides to every coin, as the saying goes, and here follows some examples.

When the then Soviet Union built missile site in Cuba, the United States saw this as a grave threat to our national security, so we attacked Cuba by way of the Bay of Pigs fiasco. Time passes, and it is now we who plan to build anti-missile defense sites, this time in Poland and the Czech Republic, bordering on (guess who?) Russia. The United States pooh-poohs Russian concerns, explaining that the sites are merely a defense against long-range missiles from Iran. Foreign observers wink-wink, nudge-nudge, knowing that we really are more concerned about a future threat from Russia, not Iran. Should these anti-missile sites ever be built, does historical precedence give Russia the right to make their own invasion? It would seem so.

Our country's two revered military presidents, George Washington and Dwight D Eisenhower, left Americans with two grave warnings for our future: Washington with regard to avoiding foreign entanglements; and Eisenhower with regard to the threat from the militaryindustrial complex. While most Americans speak of their respect and regard for our military, it is curious that we have steadfastly ignored the judicious advice of these two military leaders, preferring the flag-waving of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.

We complain loudly when American factories move overseas, but see nothing compensatory in foreign employers building factories here in the United States. "Twas ever thus.

When Turkey threatens to invade Northern Iraq to avenge the deaths of Turks at the hand of the Kurds, the United States becomes alarmed and cautions restraint. Yet, Israel has repeatedly, over the years, invaded and killed its Arab neighbors with a mere tsk-tsk from our government and a slap on the wrist. Those naughty Israelis!

Reducing the prime lending rate might trickle down to those on the receiving end of imprudent real estate loans, but it plays havoc with those of us dependent on the interest from CDs to augment our living expenses. The American economy is based on the will-o'-the-wisp, credit, and, one of these days, it will all tumble like a house of cards.

Americans are in the throes of China-bashing with the ongoing reports of that country's product contamination. But, what about those American contaminated products such as green onions, spinach, lettuce, beef patties, peanut butter, etc., etc., some of which were sent abroad?

Despite denials, we employ torture methods on those we see as enemies. When others do the same (especially to us), they are seen as monsters. It was Nietzche who made the observation: Be careful who you choose for an enemy because that is who you become most like.

The United States (and the world) has condemned General Pervez Musharraf's suspension of constitutional rights in Pakistan (dismissing out of hand his explanation for doing so); yet, gave little objections to George W. Bush's systematic suspension of the constitutional rights of Americans, all in the name of his "war on Terror." And, it is the height of hypocrisy for members of the Bush administration to demand that General Musharraf step down as head of Pakistan's military, while never suggesting that President Bush give up his title as commander in chief of our military.

Ruth Elizabeth Ramsey

 

To the Editor:

The GLENN tax will not be so great, and will produce serious decreases in state revenues. What the tax does is shift state revenue from property taxes to sales taxes. I have some questions.

Won't Georgia merchants, having higher prices due to additional sales taxes, lose business, particularly along the borders, to competitors in Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and Florida? Where would you buy your next Chevy pick-up or Lexus, and gas, groceries and jeans? Probably not in Georgia. Where would WalMart build their next store - in Columbus or Phoenix City? Dalton or Chattanooga? Augusta or Aiken? Bainbridge or Tallahassee? Merchants in our neighboring states must be salivating over the prospect of Georgians crossing the border to buy merchandise at lower prices.

There is nothing smaller than a large profit on no sales. Too paraphrase Johnny Cash - Alabama will get the gold mine and Georgia will get the shaft.

Bob Barton Dahlonega, Ga.

 

To the Editor:

Did Chicken Little write last week's column for the Republican Party? You would think that Democrats are hell-bent on destroying this great country of ours if you take Mr. Valentine seriously. How is it that America is still the greatest country in the world even though Democrats have been in charge of government for most of our history? The fact that the two parties have different ideas for what makes this country great is no reason to engage in party assassination. As Mr. Valentine pointed out, the country gave the Republicans six years of total power over our future and they bungled it badly. Now we are to believe that they have "seen the light" and will do better if only we reelect them? Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

Jim Fitzgerald

 

To the Editor:

The Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the community for its support of the Annual Christmas Parade. A sincere Thank you to all who participated in the parade, every single entry was a winner. You make the parade successful. Many thanks to Debbie Alexander and Renai Brock, Christmas Parade Co-Chairpersons, for the numerous hours spent on the preparation and planning of the parade. A successful parade, not only takes participants, but many Volunteers and we thank the following volunteers for their continued support and help.

Bud Akins, Frank Alexander, Blairsville City Police, Blairsville Concrete, Blairsville Jaycees, Allen Conley, Barbara Dahncke, Aaron Dills, Erik Ekeberg, Ellen Gerber, Jack Grashof, High Country Artisans, , North Georgia News, Jerry Roberson, John Roberts, Fran Rose, Santa and Mrs. Claus, George Schwane, Robert & Madeline Scoda, Cheryl Smith, Mike Smith, Southern Geo-Systems, Tanner's Towing, Myron Turner, Union County Commissioner's Office, Union County Fire & Rescue, Union County Historical Society, Union County Recreation Department, Union County Schools, Union County Sheriff's Department, Union Sentinel, Derrick Whittle, Larry & Jennie Williams and Charles Worden.

Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce