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Letters to the Editor - 6-24-09

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Community has different attitude

I can't believe the letter that Daniel Gray wrote in Sunday's (6/21/09) editions of The Crescent-News.

First of all, he has been against the Defiance City Schools for a long time. I, like many other people, just simply do not understand where he's coming from.

Defiance City Schools do a great job in supporting our kids, yet, Mr. Gray continues to be against the city schools and air opinions that the majority of the people here in Defiance simply do not agree with.

I am a 1994 graduate of Defiance City Schools and am pleased about how things are going. No changes are needed in school policies, but Mr. Gray's attitude sure could use some changing.

Nate Marroquin

Defiance

Techniques were not torture

I have a news flash for Caleb Finkenbiner and others calling for the investigation and prosecution of George Bush, justice department lawyers and military interrogators.

The enhanced interrogation techniques (EIT) they authorized and employed were not forms of torture. Torture is the imposition of pain strictly for the purpose of inflicting pain. If the intent is to gain information that could save lives (for example) then, within limits, the techniques are not torture.

The question becomes how should we determine which techniques are legitimate and which are not. First, since no other nation is complaining about the techniques we were using, we can be pretty sure we were not torturing captives. Secondly, since the UN is not pressing for investigations or prosecutions, we can be further assured our techniques were not torture. Thirdly, because the techniques we used on detainees are used in the training of our military members in case they are captured and interrogated, we can be sure those techniques are not torture.

Further, because the techniques in question are used by other civilized countries, including Germany, we can be sure our techniques are not torture. Lastly, because President Bush asked Justice Department lawyers to interpret our laws and decide what interrogation techniques were legal, we can be absolutely sure the techniques he authorized were not torture.

Democrats are making the same accusation they made about pre-war intelligence. They are saying Bush told the lawyers what he wanted to hear and they simply told it to him. That is a baseless charge and should not be made unless the accuser has some proof.

Besides, it is much more likely that Mr. Obama simply appointed lawyers he knew would tell him what he wanted to hear if he ever asked them for an opinion on interrogation techniques. As far as I know, he has not done that. He and other Democrats are basing their claims on their ideology and nothing more.

Mr. Finkenbiner expressed his fear that EIT could be used on people suspected of crimes here in our communities. Let me remind him that they have only been used on terrorists captured on the battlefield, not on people suspected of local thefts, rapes or murders. What is legal to do to terrorists who might have knowledge that would save American lives, is not legal to use on American citizens suspected of local crimes.

President Obama's actions have made our country look weak. They let terrorists know they have less to fear if captured by the U.S. The Taliban and al-Qaida are still using suicide bombers and beheading, and they know we won't use certain techniques on them. And, his actions let American citizens know that there are legal, internationally accepted techniques that Obama will not use to protect American lives.

That, Mr. Finkenbiner and others, not only makes us look weak, it makes us look stupid and vulnerable. And, it ought to scare the heck out of our citizens and military personnel.

Randall Peabody

rural Defiance

Mansfield funeral was impressive

I would like to say good job Delaware Township Fire Department for a job well done.

I was privileged to take part in the funeral for fallen firefighter Conrad Mansfield who passed away last week suffering from a stroke during a training exercise. The funeral service was very impressive and fitting for a firefighter of 25 years of service.

During the memorial service last Wednesday night there was 140 plus firefighters who showed up to honor him. At the funeral there were over 100 firemen and 20 some trucks from all over Ohio and Northwest Indiana. The procession was over a mile long. Except for a few disrespectful people, everyone pulled over when the procession passed by.

I will never forget the service at the cemetery. There was a fly over by a LifeFlight helicopter. A single bagpiper played the first verse of "Amazing Grace" followed by the rest of the bagpipes for the second verse and then the last verse the single bagpiper played, he turned and walked away as the sound faded in the distance.

Then there was the final page. There wasn't a dry eye in the cemetery. Delaware Township and all involved did a good job. Conrad would have been proud.

Add Brunner

Evansport

(Editor's note: Add Brunner is a captain with Tiffin Township Fire Department.)

Come to the tea party

I would like to declare how great it is to live in a country that allows freedom to express ideas that are contrary to the ideas of those who are currently in control of government.

I am part of a group of concerned citizens that are planning a "tax tea party" to be held from 1-4 p.m. on July 4 in Defiance's Pontiac Park.

We will have speakers, music and plenty of time to share and express our concerns on too high taxes and too much government control in our lives. Any interested concerned citizens are encouraged to join us in declaring our patriotic independence.

Sandy Wellman

Defiance