Published: June 26, 2008 09:39 am         

READERS' FORUM 6/28 | Murtha owes ‘cold-blooded killers’ apology

“Murder is murder, and is never right. Those who criticize U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha for wanting a full and open investigation of a mass slaying of civilians in Iraq last November should keep that in mind.”

“The Marines accused are our American servicemen, it is true, but from what is known now, they were entirely wrong to turn to wanton murder in retaliation – if that was the motive.”

Those two paragraphs were in a June 2, 2006, Tribune-Democrat editorial headlined, “We must learn the truth: Full probe into killings is justified.”

We have heard the truth, at the trials of seven brave Marines, soon to be eight, who were either acquitted, found not guilty or had the charges dropped. 

This newspaper, with about every other reporter in the mainstream media in this country – along with Murtha – had these Marines tried and convicted before they had the right to defend themselves in a court of law.

The lives of these brave men were turned upside down for nothing but pure political gain on the part of Murtha and the media who oppose the war in Iraq.

Is The Tribune-Democrat, which was so quick to judge, going to be as diligent in calling for an apology from Murtha for calling these Marines cold-blooded killers?

An apology is the least he can do. But what he should really do is resign.

Jeff Hoover

Berlin



Marines are owed an apology

Fox television news reported that all but one of the Marines accused of killing innocent Iraqi civilians were acquitted. And the one was convicted of a minor charge – disobeying orders.

These are the Marines that U.S. Rep. John Murtha accused of these crimes.

I haven’t seen Murtha apologizing to these Marines who have gone through so much torture and even jail time.

John Kerry made the same accusations against fellow servicemen in Vietnam.

Being anti-war doesn’t mean being anti-military.

I heard a remark about the fighting men in Iraq that made me really angry. A liberal Democrat said the men ought to be thankful that the United States gave them a job. They have no skills and are uneducated and that’s why these men sign up in the National Guard.

How low can a human being be?

All veterans better vote against the Democrats in this presidential election or we will be going down hill.

Barrack Obama has no military experience, no foreign political experience, and he wants to run this country during a critical time.

John McCain is a real hero who was in one of the most brutal prisons in Vietnam.

Jane Fonda knows a lot about the Hanoi Hilton. She was there, mocking McCain and his buddies.

Stephen R. Sakmar

Johnstown



Turnpike shortfalls will burden taxpayers

Privatizing the Pennsylvania Turnpike is setting Pennsylvanians up for a sneaky tax obligation.

The proposed contract is 686 pages long. If I did not care to have certain details known, I would bury them among 686 pages that I would assume would not be read.

Do you know what a “compensation event” is? Please do not use a standard dictionary to find out. There are 21 pages of definitions for contract terms or clauses that apply just to this contract.

Compensation events are instances during the 75-year term of the lease when the lessee claims to have lost opportunities to make money. (Anything that even appears to cause a loss of revenue could fall under this clause.) If it is determined a loss of revenue has occurred, Pennsylvanians, meaning you and me, would be required to reimburse the lessee for said loss.

In 75 years, it would not only include our children and grandchildren, but our great-grandchildren as well. What a gift. What a legacy.

State tax monies aren’t used on the pike.

The monies collected on the pike stay on the pike. Those monies not only upkeep the roadway and bridges and provide the best snow removal, but also provide more than a dozen additional services that are not available on any other Pennsylvania roadway.

Call your legislator and ask him about these aspects.

Jan Mills Sr.

Altoona and Renovo, Clinton County



Mother’s care has never been lacking

This letter is pertaining to the negative letters regarding the care given at Laurel Crest Manor in Ebensburg.

My mother, Emma, has resided there for six years. Never once have I encountered any negativity regarding her care.

I visit my mother weekly, and many times biweekly, and never at any set time. She has always been very well-cared for and very clean.

In fact, on several occasions, as my mother was walking by the nurses’ station, one caregiver would call me, just so my mother could talk or say “hi,” even though she no longer knows me most of the time.

All the staff goes above and beyond the normal as far as I am concerned. In fact, they deserve far more credit than I am sure they receive.

As for the negativity concerning one’s personal experience, if you see abuse going on, pull your loved one out of the facility or take the matter to a higher authority. As for my mother, I could not and would not have her put anywhere else.

My mother is in the final stages of Alzheimer’s and no longer knows me. But at least I can lay my head down at night and know she is in the best of care.

So to the Laurel Crest staff, my hat is off to you for a job always well-done. Thanks for always being there. You’re the best.

Kimmy Livingston

Davidsville

     

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