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Letters Various Clear Channel to purchase FCC

WASHINGTON (AP)---The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced today that it has agreed to be acquired by Clear Channel Communications (CCU) of San Antonio, Texas.

Letters Various Teamsters not as corrupt as U.S. corporations

Northern Michigan is fortunate to have as open a forum as your publication.
While Eric Smith repeats the labels corporate America has pinned on the Teamsters, he fails to mention that for the past couple of decades the Teamsters haven‘t been able to go to the bathroom without the Justice Department tagging along (re: Letters 5/29). This has certainly made them, contrary to Mr. Smith’s statements, a union that Corporate America should model itself after.

Letters Various Pot’s Smokescreen
I am writing in response to the interview article titled “Marijuana Activists March On“-May 15, 2003. Here is a brief cross section of Mr. Fillmore‘s answers, and I intentionally pull these out of context. Smoking Marijuana “is a lung cleaner....and it does lift your spirits,“ “It is a definite advantage for ADHD. It allows children to rest and relax...,“ “I take anti-convulsant, anti-anxiety and anti-depressant... If Marijuana was legal I could cut my pill intake in half.“ As to how he found pot, he states, “I run sound for a band and I met a gal who turned me on to “The Emperor Wears No Clothes“ by Jake Hare. It is basically the marijuana hemp bible...“, “...I went to the hash-bash..“, “I have found that I have become a different person.“, “Like where I live I am the neighborhood psychiatrist....“.

Letters Various Corrupt Teamsters

I would like to reply to Sheryl Langdon‘s letter with a famous quote. “Half the truth is the biggest lie“. Ms. Langdon points out that the Teamster‘s union is the largest in the world but neglects to mention that it‘s also the most corrupt. She goes on to say that the striking Teamsters at Northern Michigan Hospital “deserve commendation for manning the picket line regardless of the weather.“ This is just plain ludicrous. In the first place, anyone who drove by that picket line on regular basis know that the average number of picketers was about ten. Now that the weather has improved even that average has fallen.

Letters Various War profiteers a ‘patriotic‘ disgrace

As a Vietnam infantry veteran, I am very tired of our government using
“patriotism“ and slogans as the tools to rally us to give up our lives,
mental health and tax dollars for wars or conflicts that are designed to
generate huge profits for a select few. The “support the troops“ slogan is a
disgrace to our military. It is a slap in the face to the very people who
took an oath to defenc the Constitution and all that is right and good about
the USA. Good people are waving the flag and getting emotionally tied into
slogans like “support our troops,“ “freedom isn‘t free,“ and “God bless America.“

Letters Various Teamsters viewpoint

I am writing in response to J.D. Reed’s letter (5/1) regarding the Teamsters and the NMH nurses’ struggle. His comments about the Teamsters indicate that he has little knowledge of today’s Teamsters union. The Teamsters union is already the largest international union in the free world with a diverse membership of 1.4 million members. Over-the-road trucking constitutes only 15% of today’s Teamster membership. One of the third largest divisions of the Teamsters is the Public Services Division — of which nursing is a part.

Letters Various The French Connection

There’s something sinister in the way France, old long time ally, suddenly became a villain. Jaques Chirac, prime minister of France, disagreed with George Bush on unilaterally waging a so-called preemptive war on Iraq and overnight the airways were full of jokes disparaging everything French. French fries suddenly became Patriot Fries. French toast became Texas toast. The makers of French dressing were in despair and French’s mustard was swept down in a whirlpool of ridicule and hatred. When long time friends have a disagreement, it’s not grounds for this kind of vilification. So, you wonder, what’s going on?

Letters Various Life goes on

For the past eight weeks I have taken a stand for peace along with other folks every Tuesday afternoon in Manistee. I never believed that war could be averted, or doubted the ability of the U.S. military to easily smash its way into Iraq, but my conscience requires that I publicly object to the Bush administration‘s dangerous, destructive and profoundly stupid foreign policy.

Letters Various Syria? What next?

They are saying that we, the US of A is contemplating a possible pre-emptive strike now on Syria. I cannot believe it. I am overwhelmed. All of this in the pretense of ‘war on terrorism.‘

Letters Various Why we fight

I skim through the Express frequently, but find the articles too liberal
most of the time. It‘s a well-done paper, just too far to the left for me.
However, your article, “Good Riddance, Saddam“ (Random Thoughts 3/27) was a refreshing, thoughtful piece that everyone on the political spectrum should read and take to heart.

Letters Various Bush‘s war on women

In the face of a war in Iraq, it is easy to forget the other war-like policies that are being implemented every day by the current administration. Recently, it was confirmed that the Bush administration plans to expand the reach of the global gag rule by applying it to international assistance in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Administration officials have indicated that it would bar U. S. HIV/AIDS funds to organizations in developing countries that also provide, counsel about, or advocate on behalf of legal abortion.

Letters Various Bush has united the world -- against us

The American Heritage Dictionary defines “diplomacy“ as: (1) The art or practice of conducting international relations; (2) Tact and skill in dealing with people. How “diplomatic“ is our current administration? Does it have any skill in winning friendships and influencing those who disagree with their policies? Does it understand that harsh words evoke a response in other countries?

Letters Various Mean liberal readers

I would like to thank you for the “Best of 2003“ list
of restaurants, places to go, etc. What I found
especially amusing was your “Best Going Away Present
for John Engler“ and “Best New Job for Trent Lott“.
The “intelligence,“ “compassion“ and “tolerance“ of
your mostly liberal readership was certainly on
display here. Repeatedly making fun of the former
Governor‘s weight problem while wishing upon him such
things as “flaming bags of dog poop,“ “stomach bypass
surgery“ and “guillotines“ really put the genius of
the left in this country on display. As far as
Senator Lott is concerned, I agree that he made some
stupid and offensive statements, but lets not
forget that the only former member of the KKK in
the Senate happens to be the distinguished Robert
“Sheets“ Byrd, Democrat (WV), and I don‘t see any
Democrats asking for his resignation.

Letters Various Vietnam veteran‘s view

I recently visited the glorious Traverse City area and met a lot of great
folks at your local peace march. My congratulations to them for speaking up.
During my travels I hear various justification for war. Hitler is one of
them.

Letters Various The human cost of the war

A nightmare visited me the other night. I stood, surrounded by a smoldering city, with a lifeless, bloody and burned toddler in my arms. Before me stood the child’s mother. I looked the woman in the eyes and tried in vain to explain that her child’s death was necessary for my security. Incoherent babble was all that passed my lips.