Letters to the editor: Death of a Saddam
To the editor:
Saddam is dead. His passing is notable because it was the result of a fair trial by his own people. He holds a unique position among recent tyrants and dictators: only he had the benefit of due process before his much deserved and widely welcomed demise.
The people of Iraq, through their elected government and under their properly appointed judiciary, have meted out the justice that was so richly deserved. Yes, America was the moving force behind all of this. It is to our great credit that the self-determination of the Iraqi people was restored and that they used it so admirably.America draws its love of liberty and hatred of tyranny from many sources; but, Virginia gave us our first commander in chief, our first president, the author of our Declaration of Independence, and Patrick Henry, who fired our own revolution with his famous “Liberty or Death” speech. Virginia still proudly flies the 1776 state flag proclaiming “Sic Semper Tyrannis” with Lady Virtue standing triumphant over a slain tyrant, his scourge and chains in his dead grasp and a fallen crown.
America provides much for the rest of the world; but aid in attaining liberty and freedom under law is the most important. The Iraqi people can be proud of their new government — and so can we.
Tyrants, presidents for life and dictators everywhere should take careful note. Freedom is indeed on the march. Let us hope and pray that it stays on the proper course and that brave and resolute people of every persuasion maintain the rule of law and the struggle for justice.
Finally, let us remember the indomitable American soldiers who have borne the inevitable casualties and scars in securing these blessings for the common people of this country, Iraq, and so many others. Let us pray for success in their mission, their safety, and the welfare of their families.
Steve Fitzgerald,
Leavenworth.
Letters to the editor: Township concerns
To the editor:
Residents of Stranger Township be aware! Aware that your board is making decisions affecting the safety of you and your property, without your input. The previous board fought creation of the fire department until a grassroots petition drive forced their hand. Now the current board carries on the fight, resisting the fire department’s efforts to remain effective in this era of decreasing volunteer manpower. For example, the board recently disapproved partial reimbursement of firefighters for their expenses per call, and are slow-rolling a request to “hire” a part-time person to man the fire station during peak duty hours — when volunteers are away working.
At the Dec. 28 board meeting, clerk Chuck Staples’ statement typified the board’s position: “As far as I am concerned, what we have is a volunteer fire department, and everything to do with fire department labor and manning requirements should be just that, strictly on a voluntary basis. If my barn is on fire, and I call the fire department and no one comes, well, that is the way it is out in the country, and everyone who moves out here needs to understand that!”
It seems that Staples sees the near future, because we have recently had calls without the capability to respond. Are we to soon have emergency services in name only?
The board’s “diversion” is the Mayginnis Schoolhouse, a property of questionable utility to township residents. To the question of what, if anything, to do with it, the board president is neutral. However, the other two members want it to be a possible polling site. To that end they have already spent township funds on its roof, exterior stonework and storm windows, and are discussing much more.
Chuck Staples’ family has sentimental interest in the building (many attended the school), and for Marty Trieb, treasurer, the building’s proximity to his home (across the road), makes any decision on its use of interest, to include possible paving of the gravel road, to provide the “all-weather” access normally required by voting sites.
You have an opportunity to provide the board your input on these priorities at the next board meeting, at 6 p.m. March 29 at Mayginnis Schoolhouse.
Al Patterson,
Rural Tonganoxie.