CAL THOMAS
Blanket statement is an insult
The editorial by Cal Thomas in the Nov. 14 Statesman about “America is getting younger, not wiser” and “I doubt that many people younger than 40 have ever served in the military, or even know anyone who has” is a gross understatement of today’s military and our “younger people.” I served five years in the military, I have a family, I am married, and I voted for President Barack Obama! Does my decision make me uneducated? Without moral values? Without a strong belief in God and Jesus Christ? According to Cal Thomas it does!
Saying that so close to Veterans Day is a direct “in your face” insult to the younger generation that has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, or is currently serving in our military. I went to my cousin’s school for an appreciation veterans lunch — according to Cal Thomas, most young people don’t “even know anyone who has” served in the military. Tell that to this entire elementary school! Some had family there because their parent is deployed. I’m sure this is not unique to one elementary school in Caldwell.
Shame on Cal Thomas for making such an inaccurate blanket statement and shame on the Statesman for printing it!
ANNA ROSTOCK, Boise
DANA MILBANK
Idahoans are not ‘takers’
“Secession could rid U.S. of Confederacy of Takers” by Dana Milbank:
I’d like to see Mr. Milbank clarify the federal dollars that are going to red states.
Do these dollars include federal payrolls for states that have high populations of federal employees, federal retirees, military families and the subsidies that the military must endure in order to serve the entire country? Does it include the Social Security benefits received by seniors who have simply had enough of the government fix-its and high taxes in blue states?
Do the dollars he presents as money paid to red states represent wages to well-paid government employees who work at INL, USFS, USPS, USFWS, DHS, BPA, BLM, USDA, Americorps, FBI, CDC, Department of Commerce, U.S. District Court, U.S. Marshals, Consumer Product Safety Administration, Air Traffic Control, Minority Business Development Agency, U.S. Attorney, ATF and a multitude of others?
Or do these dollars simply represent the welfare received by the state as a whole?
Mr. Milbank sounds like he would gleefully welcome secession by all red states. He needs to know that there are many who actually see this as a very good idea. Scoff them if you will, Mr. Milbank.
BOB LUND, Boise
SECESSION
Nothing honorable about leaving
You speak as if secession were honorable. You speak of breaking the contract that makes this country one. You dishonor the only decent thing I’ve ever done — as a slothful, slovenly peacetime soldier who nevertheless got up before dawn, cleaned the barracks, donned my uniform and carried my rifle. You dishonor my brother, who spent his part of the Vietnam War in a repair shop on Okinawa. You dishonor my cousin, who never talks about his time as a Seabee in Vietnam. You dishonor my father, who spent his part of the Korean War staring across a German river at communist artillery. You dishonor my father’s best friend, who spent his part of the Korean War near a frozen reservoir called Chosin. You dishonor my uncles, who did their part stopping Hitler in such exotic postings as Oklahoma City and Fort Leonard Wood. You dishonor my great uncle, who was never quite right after shrapnel tore through his helmet in the Belleau Wood.
Forgive me if when you proudly call for secession, I look back with disdain. Perhaps in your call to destroy this country, you hear a hero’s voice. All I hear is a spoiled child.
KARL JOHNSON, Boise
EDUCATION
Show respect to teachers
I voted no on Props 1-2-3. To clarify, I am not a teacher or union member — I am a taxpayer with grandchildren in Idaho schools. I was stunned when Tom Luna first announced his far-reaching proposals with absolutely no input from teachers, parents or taxpayers. And I was appalled when the governor and Legislature bought in! Since the voters soundly defeated the original proposals, I suggest we start small and see what works. We could introduce online classes with graduation credit “options,” not “requirements.” How about computer labs with ample equipment to check out as needed, instead of handing every student an expensive laptop to take home?
If Tom Luna wants us to respect his position, he should show more respect for our teachers. Most teachers I have met are dedicated professionals who truly care about the success of their students. If corporations are people, it follows that teachers unions are people, too! If we cannot invest in smaller class sizes, maintaining crumbling school buildings, compensating teachers fairly, how could we afford this grandiose laptop boondoggle? I am also suspicious of Frank VanderSloot’s inordinate amount of financial influence in Idaho politics. His ads were another reason I voted “no.”
JEANNE PAULS, Eagle
