Letters to the Editors

Reasons Cheney among the worst

There are reasons Cheney may be recorded by future historians among the worst vice presidents of our country.

This is what Cheney supported: Rumsfeld after having been fired by President Bush; Scooter Libby after his conviction as a felon by a Republican prosecutor; diverting troops from the war on terror in Afghanistan and Iraq resulting in return of the Taliban; an "axis of evil" go-it-alone foreign policy; torture in secret prisons; retaining of Guantanamo Bay when Secretary of Defense Gates in the Bush administration and military commanders insisted on its being closed, and wiretaps without warrants of citizens receiving calls from abroad.

Cheney criticized President Obama for "dithering" in his determination to make certain that a strategy plan be in place to achieve the best possible outcome in Afghanistan. Where was the exception of Cheney and McCain to Bush taking three months before committing to the surge in Iraq?

If Cheney and the administration then had taken the time to determine the truth that Iraq possessed neither the means or delivery capability to attack us, war would have been averted with a trillion dollars saved, and many thousands who lost their lives would still be alive.

JOHN BRATTON

Sewanee, Tenn.

Holiday greeting to all veterans

From a veteran of Grenada, happy Veterans Day to all who served and are now serving.

ROBERT TAYLOR

Petty Officer 2nd Class

East Ridge

Fundraising system is a safety concern

Once week before last in front of Fresh Market and once last week at the Hamilton Place Mall in front of TJ Max, I was approached by one of a group of youth bustling about the parking lot with handwritten signs professing to be raising money for -- the one I specifically remember is a church basketball team -- some fundraiser.

Last week, the young female was in my face as soon as I opened my car door. In hindsight it is a very scary potential. The encounter yesterday, seeing the young people quickly moving about the cars, caused me to quickly get in my car and obviously lock the door. The young man approached me and I simply gave a "no" gesture. With the possibility of a group together and one unsuspecting victim, anything could happen.

I think it important to get the word out. Think safety first. There are appropriate ways to raise funds for good causes but this activity should not be tolerated.

CLAUDETTE COTTER

Letter writers deserve thanks

Letter contributors Robert J. Shelton, Robert Brooks and Jane Starner, who graced your page in Monday's issue (Nov. 2) with their commonsense logic, deserve my sincere thanks.

WILLARD D. WATSON

Jasper, Tenn.