Letters 2/16/06

Feb. 15, 2006

Domestic spying:
a dangerous precedent
George Bush argues that he is justified in ordering the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on American citizens without going through legal channels for proper authority and without obtaining warrants because America is at “war.” But “war” implies a clearly defined enemy with possibility of victory or defeat. Neither is applicable in this case. Al-Qaeda is a ragtag adversary at best that, although strongly motivated, is loosely organized, poorly armed and ineffectively deployed.
Despite the President’s assurances that we will win the war on terror, there will always be those who wish to destroy us; if not Al Qaeda, then whatever group replaces it.
This “war” seems to have no end in sight. If this war is indeed indefinite, then the President’s claim of wartime powers also becomes indefinite, and actions excused as extraordinary become ordinary, a constitutional shift no American should welcome or accept. According to Bush, the Patriot Act permits spying on Americans in order for the military to move quickly. In the same respect, is it appropriate to spy on the American people in the “war on drugs” or the “war on crime” in order for law enforcement to move quickly? This is a dangerous precedent.
Our government is suing Google for access to their records in order to “spy” on our Internet activity. Students at UCLA are being paid $100 per class to spy on professors who speak out against our government. Bush continues to “campaign” at taxpayer expense to convince us his actions are within the realm of the law. Doesn’t he have more pressing duties at hand?
In the words of Benjamin Franklin, “those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty or safety.” This feels less and less like the United States of America I grew up in, the America that our forefathers envisioned and sacrificed their lives for. We survived McCarthyism, but it appears we didn’t learn our lesson. It is time people wake up and leave the flock.

Sterling Smith • via email

‘Under the table‘
payments hurt kids
The letter written by Tom Mountz from Honor in the Feb. 9 issue provided some excellent information that I hope many employers will consider the next time they hand over a cash “check” to an employee. It is true that operating a business is very expensive. Employers have to match the social security and FICA amount withheld from employees’ paychecks as well as pay additional state and federal taxes out of their own pockets for all employees. Many may not consider that by opting to pay employees in cash and “bypass” these taxes they are not just helping themselves; they are hurting many children and families who count on receiving wage garnishment funds for child support.
I have been party to a court-ordered child support case for a year and a half now. In that short timeframe my co-parent has become $8,000 in arrears largely due to the fact that he received most of his income for 2004 and some of 2005 in the form of cash paid by his employers and did not pay the support on his own. I am not talking about businesses that subcontract either. The “friend” of the court refuses to step in even when there is evidence that this is taking place because they do not have the resources.
Last year I decided to take the issue into my own hands after I learned that my co-parent was receiving cash payments for his position as the doorman at a local downtown pub. I called the owner and I told her that if the business did not become legitimate and pay him properly so that his paycheck could be garnished for child support I would turn her in to the IRS. Her response was to fire my co-parent. This business is still operational and seems to be doing quite well. I am willing to bet that my co-parent was not the only employee receiving cash payments from this pub.
Employers need to realize that taxes are a part of doing business. Yes, it is a costly part, but if business owners cannot afford to pay these taxes then they have no business in business.
Many, many children are not receiving their due in part because of this practice. Many children and single parents end up in less than ideal situations, often poverty, because of this problem. What may be “helping” your business could be trickling down and hurting someone else. Think about that the next time you pay an employee “under the table.” I won’t even get started on the people who accept these payments to get out of paying support -- I would be here all day!

Melanie Villanueva • TC

Super Bowl tourism
Northern destinations can take a page out of the success of the Super Bowl in Detroit. The traditional provincial geographic arrogance of the cynics and critics are no longer a valid reason to support the isolationist attitudes of tourism industry leaders.
One might take a page from Governor Jennifer Granholm’s State of the State message that the only thing, “between the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan is a comma!” What happened in Detroit is more than an urban miracle but a great handbook to success for the greatness of Michigan’s Riveria!
This “playbook” throws away petty jealousies pitting the big resorts against the strip hotels. It abandons the internal egos of volunteer leaders that think micro-management is the key to advancing the region.
The Super Bowl leadership of Roger Penske brought business and industry to the table with their checkbooks. Where or who is the region‘s Penske? Should the (local) Convention and Visitors Bureau be the conduit for implementation of a solid plan, rather than a roadblock for new and creative leadership? The Detroit CVB played that role and the NFL, the worldwide press and sport fans throughout America enjoyed the highest ratings in history. The ability to perform while giving credit to others, rather than prohibiting innovation and creativity, put Michigan over the top.
The lessons are vivid for traditional apathy to step aside for advocacy. One can easily say there is no risk in failure, only failure in not trying.
Super Bowl companion events were planned for the Traverse City region, only to be undermined and cancelled for by
dissidents afraid to act. The loss is permanent, as the Super Bowl does not return in
the near future. Shortsightedness cannot
prevail without isolation. The area may recover in the summer while the challenge of a 365 day per year economy still remains stagnant.
At no time in the economic history of Michigan is the tourism industry more vital to its future. It is suggested to put aside the concerns for traffic jams during Cherry Festival. It is suggested community and tribal interests collaborate for mutual benefit. It is suggested that regional volunteers and professional staff quit pouting, plotting and prohibiting chances to succeed.
The challenge is achievable, just like in Detroit. It cannot make the grade with business as usual. Who will step up? Which coalition will take off and leave the naysayer behind? The region can be a reality as Michigan’s Riveria rather than aspirations to “make a dent.”
Finally, it is often said “one cannot climb higher without stepping up.” Who will take the challenge without worrying who is getting the credit? “We” must prevail over “me.” Advocacy must wipe apathy out of the picture. Who will accept the challenge? Business as usual is unacceptable!

John F. Greenslit, CMP
Past Member, US House Tourism and Travel Advisory Caucus • Lansing

Mystery lady ID‘d
I think you had best get your act
together...last week‘s Northern Seen pic of Senator Levin, Doug Lucciani, Senator Stabenow and supporter should have been researched a bit more. The supporter is truly a supporter who happens to be the wife of Senator Levin, Barbara! It did give me a little bit of a laugh.
Regards from a weekly reader.

Ellen Fivenson • TC

(Let‘s hope Barbara got a laugh out of it too. Thanks for solving the mystery. -- ed.)




Form letter no-no
I’m writing to say that, as a member of the media in a free society, you have a
RESPONSIBILITY to publish the controversial cartoons on Islamofascism... etc.

(Dear readers: the Express received three virtually identical copies of this letter from three different writers. Please note, we try not to publish form letters here, if and when we catch them. Original thoughts only, please. -- ed.)

Do the right thing
Last year’s energy bill represented a stunning failure of leadership. It did nothing to reduce our dependence on foreign oil or lower energy prices.
It’s amazing that the President who helped produce a big oil energy bill cobbled together in secret meetings with oil lobbyists is now calling for a crash energy independence program.
While the President may talk the energy independence talk, the reality is that since 2002, the President has allowed energy efficiency research and development spending to decline by 15%. And, instead of increasing funding across the board, Bush’s 2005 budget request cut core renewable energy and energy efficiency programs -- including a 16% cut to biomass programs.
Instead of wars waged for oil and profits, our tax dollars should be subsidizing projects like solar energy and windmill electrical power for our future independence from foreign oil. Subsidizing industrial, commercial and residential systems would solve most of our dependence.

Teena Sabin • Oden

Raised on garbage
I am compelled to respond to the article, “The New Face of Horror” (2/2) by Jane Louise Boursaw. The article discusses the trend in horror films aimed at younger viewers.
I am incredulous and disappointed that this article, in effect, promotes these new-wave garbage films. Classic science-fiction is in an altogether different league.
Young people go see this garbage because they are being raised on garbage. Period. It is a cancer that permeates every nook and cranny of modem American society. Rap music, junk food, MTV, and Adam Corolla are perfect examples. Garbage in, garbage out.
How a person can possibly write about these films and depict any type of redeeming quality boggles my mind.

Bob Jones • Glen Arbor
Outing Plame no big deal
Re: “Spy vs. Spy“ the letter on the outing of Valerie Plame.
Those who hate President George Bush will got to any length to bend the truth! First, my information says that Valerie Plame was not covert. Second, if the foreign operatives are so smart, they would connect this fellow Wilson with his wife, Valerie Plame Wilson.
Third, England and the UN all agreed that this yellowcake uranium was sought by Iraq.
The far left in their hatred for the President doesn‘t realize that my great grand-daughter, if she is lucky, will see the end of this war, which is worse and more insidious than anything we have ever seen. Radical Islam teaches hate. Indonesia, Philippines, Tamil Tigers, Spain, France, England, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, India and the U.S. have all felt their hatred. Wake up!

Keith Humbert • Gladwin

He got a business lesson
To those with compassion and understanding, most importantly to those who possess neither. I have lived outside of the U.S. for about a third of my 25 years, only to return to where I was born to spark local interest in charity and entertainment in a country where we leave our own citizens uninsured so that they may not get sick and maintain the rat wheel (sic). Both of these goals have been achieved, yet a human is never a master and I am never satisfied.
The last benefit show was at the Loading Dock on January 13-14. With the intention of obtaining gift certificates or donations from local businesses for raffle prizes to benefit the Boys and Girls Club, TCAPS‘ student health issue fund for vision and dental, and awarding these prizes in between the sets of the bands that were playing those nights.
Unfortunately not one business in this whole area would donate a thing, I understand forgiveness so I will not list these businesses, but let’s say they were all well noted and highly profitable established businesses, from delis, bookstores, wineries, you name it.
A $25 donation was asked from each local business. Some immediately turning their backs, or hanging up the phone, or calling me “a smart ass” when asked what their logic was for not being able to donate, which could easily be written off by a mediocre accountant. It was like a broken record; every business replied they were not in a financial position to donate that kind of money.
I have decided to offer support to these near bankrupt businesses. Maybe I will work there for free, I certainly wouldn’t want to break them, so maybe instead of donating to charities for children, maybe we can start a SUV fund, or a soccer-mom charity, perhaps a plasma screen fund, something, for if they are hurting that bad we all need to join in and forget helping the children; sarcasm has always been an excellent medicine.

Danny Famiano • via email

Who‘s misguided?
I wonder what planet Kenneth Frazier is living on (re: “Misguided Liberals,“ 2/9). Mr. Bush took us into a bloody war based on his lies about WMDs. His NSA surveillance is in direct contravention of U.S. law. Who is being spied on, and why?
It is appropriate and necessary to question, when the President of the United States is lying to us, and when he is breaking the law. Mr. Frazier might take notice that it’s not just the Democrats, and the liberals that are asking these questions. As a patriotic American it is not just our right, but our duty, to question these actions.
Our government is based on laws, and even the President is not above the law. In this administration the law is ignored, lies are regularly told, the system of checks
and balances almost gone, and democracy is at risk.
Thank God, Democrats, Republicans, and thinking people from all walks of life, are speaking out. If history teaches us anything, it should teach us to protect our constitutional rights. The hateful thing would be just to sit back, do nothing, and let
democracy be destroyed by this power hungry regime.

Sharon K. Rose • Empire

Goodwill has been lost
The day after 9/11, one million people marched in the streets of Tehran in support of the United States. The banner headline of the French left-leaning Le Monde screamed “We Are All Americans.” But today, our nation is held in lower regard than at any point in our history. Unemployed youths the world over consider sacrificing their lives to strike a blow against Evil Empire America. What caused this change of heart? It’s because in every corner of the globe, our leaders are regarded as a cadre of torturers, who ferret suspects from country to country so they can be freely mistreated. We recently learned that the American military will kidnap the wife of a suspected insurgent, in hopes of making him surface. This is a tactic popular with two-bit dictators, and deplored by every civilized nation on earth. America maintains an island full of Afghans and Iraqis detained indefinitely without charge, many of whom will never learn why they are being held.
Shame on us for not reigning in - and then reelecting - this den of thugs that now runs our country.

Mark Yokum • via email

The damage done
Finally, Americans are waking up to the fact we have the stupidest president at the most critical time. Bush and his cronies are a tight clique and are only interested in filling their pockets... most programs Bush comes up with benefit the wealthy and leave people with small or average incomes by the
wayside...
With approval ratings well under 40 percent, it is obvious people don’t fall for his “folksy cowboy demeanor” anymore - too bad he has already done so much damage to this country - yet to listen to him, “things have never been as good as they are now.”
Where? There is no exit strategy planned for Iraq, the Taliban are slowly returning to Afghanistan, he alienated important European allies, does not care about the environment (showed no interested in joining in the Kyoto Accord) and now we are facing problems with Iran. Is he just going to bomb the hell out of Iran, too, as he did with Iraq? -
His imperial demeanor and hubris show his lack of intelligence. Thank God his plan for overhauling Social Security hit a brick wall.
God help us - what damage can he still do in the years left to him as President?

C. Anderson • TC