Letters to the editor
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The news that Osama bin Laden is dead is amazing news that transcends the often petty nature of our domestic politics. Just like in World War II, good has overcome evil.
A particular thanks must go out to all those who have worked so hard over the past 10 years to make bin Laden's death a reality. This is a great time for our country and for the world.
STEVEN M. CLAYTON
Shadyside
Mixed emotions
I watched Sunday night with interest as people lined the White House fence and sang songs marking the occasion where a band of military experts introduced Osama bin Laden to his 72 virgins. And the gaiety didn't stop there. A group of West Virginia University students burned a couch, a ritual usually reserved for when the Mountaineers go to the playoffs. Even Glenn Beck threw confetti and had a marching band on his set Monday.
All this frivolity causes me to think back to when people of various Muslim nations cheered and gave away candy when the twin towers fell. Do we hark back to the Old Testament days of an eye for an eye? It reminds me of the words of the Irish songwriter Tommy Sands who wrote "and another eye for another eye 'till all of us are blind."
So who calls the shots and gives the orders that cause men and women to get fitted for a suicide vest? It's people like bin Laden and Gadhafi and that little slime-bucket who is currently running Iran.
Today, most of me is sorry to see people being slaughtered in the name of peace. But there is still the combat medic inside of me who wants to throw confetti and raise a glass to remember the thousands who have been wounded and killed by terrorists.
And if you don't understand, then maybe it's because you haven't walked a mile in a pair of blood-stained jungle boots.
ROBERT J. PEGRITZ
Ross
Support peace
Violence begets violence. It hasn't worked in the past and the death of Osama bin Laden will not change this fact.
Nevertheless, bin Laden's death brings closure for many people. It is a perfect time to now change our policy in Afghanistan and Iraq. We need to pull out our military troops and re-establish peaceful relations with the people -- everyone. If we truly want to minimize terror we need to show this region and the world that we will not try to dominate others and are really willing to engage all parties to negotiate peace.
First Published May 4, 2011 12:00 am
