Letters for February 27, 2003
Re “Lives in the balance” [RN&R, Cover, Jan. 30]:
I’m getting tired of hearing that raising taxes in Nevada will result in an immediate rush for the state border by businesses. This kind of rhetoric is not based in reality. Gov. Guinn’s proposed business revenue tax does not make Nevada unfriendly toward companies. Forty-six other states have such taxes, and those states all have operating businesses.
The fact is, Nevada is in crisis. To bring in adequate funding for education and social service programs, everyone has to pay more. Consumers pay through entertainment, alcohol and cigarette taxes. Businesses need to pay, too. Companies depend on well-educated and skilled workers, and it’s only sensible that they foot their share of the bill for our education system. Funding education and social programs is good for Nevada.
Julie Morrison
via e-mail
Don’t bloody the babies
Re “Saddam has weapons of mass destruction—thanks to the U.S.” [RN&R, War Commentary, Feb. 13]:
Why is it that the majority of “peace” activists who want to protect innocent Iraqi civilians don’t have the same concern for innocent Americans, especially those still in the womb? No blood for oil, but blood shed for sexual freedom? Remember, peace begins in the womb. And where was your opposition when Bill Clinton chose to send our troops to Kosovo without UN approval? Peace!
Bill Thibault
Sparks
Yeah, that’s right. Attack the kids.
Re “Saddam has weapons of mass destruction—thanks to the U.S.” [RN&R, War Commentary, Feb. 13]:
I would like to thank the peace demonstrators for marching, or let’s call it stomping, on the souls of the innocent people who died at the World Trade Center, also on the souls of the Kurdish folk that Saddam has gassed and the people who are tortured to death because they dissent against his power.
The demonstrators need to know that within two years of coming to power, Saddam entered a war with Iran, costing his country much money and many lives. He then invaded Kuwait, causing irreparable cultural, economic and environmental harm. And now he has weapons of mass destruction that he is hiding, which can be passed on to Al Qaeda or other groups.
My prayer is that these demonstrators’ children suffer a savage, painful death from their actions instead of my children, because at least I tried to use good information and common sense instead of idealistic, self-righteous indulgence to make decisions that would protect my kids and my country.
There is a time and place for war peaceniks—unless Hitler is acceptable to you.
Garry Cooper
Durham, Calif.
A letter to Iraq
In the United States, we, the people, hold free elections to select citizens we wish to represent us in governing our country. We then hold these representatives accountable for their actions and replace them if they fail to represent us. But we are ultimately accountable for all decisions made by our leaders—in internal affairs or in our relationships with other countries. Americans are a peace-loving people. We hold no anger toward citizens of other countries.
All we expect from you, people of Iraq, is that you also assume full responsibility for the actions of your leaders. We welcome with open arms your acts of friendship. But we will hold you accountable if our country or our citizens are harmed in any way. Even though we are a peaceful people, we are fierce in our determination to protect our citizens, our country and our freedom.
I am not a leader. I am only one U.S. citizen. But I think millions of Americans would join with me in inviting you to work with us to make the world a safer place to live—for you, for us, for our families and for future generations.
George Brown
Reno