April 27, 2009 02:42 pm
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Obama’s apologies undermine nation>
I have talked to Bill Secrest about his “In Your View” letter published April 25. He says he did not make himself clear. He did not consider himself tortured during his aviation training, but according to Obama, he was.
There are many other instances of similar events that have taken place in our armed forces through the years. The U.S. probably has a couple of thousand of selective GI’s and agents who have undergone water boarding training — to realize you can overcome this fear, if you know they are not really going to kill you. Of course now our enemies will train to counter this, just like we do.
So what we have is President Obama stating waterboarding our enemies is torture, but unsaid, waterboarding our own troops is OK.
This is consistent with all of his apologies about how bad the U.S. has been, as he travels the world. The rest of the world does not think of us as being bad. How could they? We saved most of them from tyrants and ruthless dictators. It is only the leftist liberals in those countries who think like Obama does, but they think like that for a different reason: They are envious and jealous of our success and want to undermine our achievements. How could a bunch of religious outcasts set up a country unequaled in the history of the world, as we did?
It is this insidious undermining from within and without to tear down our country by nibbling away at the Christian principles that built this great country; exemplified by the recent ranting by a leftist blogger, way in over his head as a Miss USA judge, as he smeared her by not being “politically correct” in her Christian beliefs.
Ken Boggs, Raceland
Let people decide value of torture
First, I wish to thank Lt Col. Bill Secrest for his service to our nation. However, his view on torture expressed in his April 24 letter is dead wrong. You just don’t throw out the Geneva Convention rules of conduct because it doesn’t suit you at this time in our history.
A good interrogation is a work of art and takes an expert. Our own FBI is the best in the world. Done correctly it produces the best and most accurate actionable intelligence about your enemies capabilities, vulnerabilities and probable course of action.
Torture uses pain to achieve results. Torture is best used to elicit false confessions. Torture anyone and there is a high probability they will say or do anything you want. Any thug can do that.
Starting with the Korean War, it was used to create the then new media propaganda. You torture them, parade them before a camera, have them repeat what you have told them to say, and release it to the world press. This was the very reason the school Lt. Col. Secrest attended was created.
Lt. Col. Secrest is right that torture can kill or mame. Just ask Sen. John McCain. An interrogation does not.
Lt. Col. Secrest is also right about releasing all results and everything learned from the Bush administrations use of waterboarding and “enhanced” interrogation techiques as requested by former Vice President Dick Cheney.
Did it produce actionable intelligence or false confessions?
And, by all means, let the American people decide.
Charles Joyce, Honolulu, Hawaii
Ex-Hills workers planning reunion
Former employees of Hills Department Store NO. 18 of Ashland are planning a reunion/picnic beginning May 30 at Armco Park Shelterhouse.
The meal will begin at 3 p.m. Bring a covered dish and drinks for your family.
Anyone who worked at Hills is encouraged to attend and reunite with former co-workers.
For more information, call Robyn Kittle Langford, (606) 547-5957; Troy and Barb Riggs, (606) 928-1133; Kathy F. Smith, (606) 923-6439 or Cindy Clark, (606) 923-4518.
Robyn Kittle Langford, Troy and Barb Riggs and others, Hills Reunion
Information wanted on two families
I am looking for descendants of Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Duncan and Mr. and Mrs. William R. Litteral. Both of these families lived in the Ashland area in 1960.
Mrs. Duncan and Mrs. Litteral were sisters. They were daughters of Bertha Jordan Buckler and Napoleon Buckler of 1301 Morningside Drive, Ashland.
I am seeking information on these families for genealogy purposes. If there is anyone who is related to these families, I’d appreciate a reply by e-mail at jody_kilgore@yahoo.com.
Any help or information would be greatly appreciated.
Jody Kilgore, Olive Hill
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