PUBLIC FORUM.Purple fingers Re ``Iraqis turn out in big numbers'' (Dec. 16): Purple index fingers raised high in Iraq indicate victory for democracy in the Middle East Proposed reasons for the relative absence of liberal democracy in the Middle East are diverse, from the long history of imperial rule by the Ottoman Empire, Britain and France and the contemporary political and military intervention by the United States, all of which have been blamed for . It's a big victory for Iraqis as they struggle to establish the rudiments of a free government and nation; it's a big victory for President Bush and his leadership in the War on Terror This article is about U.S. actions, and those of other states, after September 11, 2001. For other conflicts, see Terrorism. The War on Terror (also known as the War on Terrorism ; and it's a big victory for the free world in its fight against global terrorism. Purple index fingers raised high in Iraq symbolize the victory of good over evil, of egalitarianism over inequality, and of a freed people over terrorism and fascism. Yes, the Iraqi people defied the threats from insurgents Insurgents, in U.S. history, the Republican Senators and Representatives who in 1909–10 rose against the Republican standpatters controlling Congress, to oppose the Payne-Aldrich tariff and the dictatorial power of House speaker Joseph G. Cannon. to vote and emerged from each polling precinct to give the terrorists a one-finger salute. Look at your finger: Are you a supporter or a doubting Thomas? - Darwin M. Ochs Lancaster Sorry comparison Re ``Iraqis turn out in big numbers'' (Dec. 16): Now even I'm embarrassed by what went on in Iraq. Imagine, over 70 percent of the Iraqi voters actually voted. Not even close to 70 percent of our voters here in America are concerned enough about our rights and freedoms to bother voting. How embarrassing. - David Hall David Hall may refer to:
Winnetka 'Heavy Foot' woes Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. citizens are the victims of the ``Heavy Foot'' syndrome. Everywhere I drive, I never observe other drivers obeying the speed limit. All or most all have a heavy foot on their gas pedal. It's especially prevalent among younger drivers. Ironically, they speed until they get to a stop sign, and those they pass catch up to them. Years ago there was a gadget called a ``governor.'' It was a mechanical device for automatically controlling the speed of an engine. It's too bad we can't allow the manufacturer to add this device to cars so police can control those drivers who have ``heavy feet.'' - Earl Horwitz North Hills Sowell so wet Re ``Media get war stories backward'' (Their Opinions, Dec. 15): Thomas Sowell Thomas Sowell (born June 30, 1930), is an American economist, political writer, and commentator. While often described as a "black conservative", he prefers not to be labeled, and considers himself more libertarian than conservative. asks: ``But is there anything about American casualty rates in Iraq that makes them more severe than casualty rates in any other war we have fought?'' Yes! This is a bogus, needless war that we were lied into by a manipulated president. He's admitted Saddam had nothing to do with Sept. 11, 2001. This administration sent young men and women into harm's way harm's way n. A risky position; danger: a place for the children that is out of harm's way; ships that sail into harm's way. on the cheap, refusing to listen to ample, sound advice regarding the number of troops that would be required or how to properly equip them. These errors were compounded by tumbling into this morass headfirst head·first also head·fore·most adv. 1. With the head leading; headlong: went headfirst down the stairs. 2. Impetuously; brashly. with no clear game plan, no benchmarks for assessing how we're doing, no concept of how or when to get out, and no plan for managing the aftermath. - Hal Rothberg Calabasas Waving gates Re ``Crossing gates'' (Your Opinions, Dec. 11): You have got to be kidding. The Orange Line has buses running in both directions every six minutes. Those crossing gates would be going up and down constantly. - Joy Stovall Woodland Hills Why so long? Why is it that California waits so long to execute a convicted killer waiting on Death Row? After all, we have DNA DNA: see nucleic acid. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes. now. Think of the money that could be saved from feeding inmates on Death Row and keeping them alive when they've already been sentenced. DNA should always be used whenever possible. - Gwen E. Wieben Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. No long goodbye Concerning the demise of Stanley ``Tookie'' Williams, most people would probably like to paraphrase a remark attributed to Bette Davis: I've always been told to speak good of the dead. Stanley Williams is dead. Good! - Stephen Pettine Canoga Park |
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