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THE WAR ON WAR I would not consider myself of the same political bent as IT, or certainly Jim Hightower, but I make an effort to find IT each week so I can read his column. Mostly, I find his writings to be bitter and envious but I get from where he comes politically.
His “What we’ve paid for war” column of Aug. 28 crossed the line, however. Major Gen. Greene’s son is a classmate of my son’s from West Point, 2012, and I am outraged how the MG’s death has been used as a political football by both sides of the political aisle. The only people with the right to comment on the MG’s death are his family, and they have been clear as to how his death has affected them, they have been especially clear on how they feel about the failure of President Obama to attend the MG’s funeral. They are fine with that issue, therefore the discussion is closed.
Jim Hightower’s column also trots out the usual criticisms of war hawks, those who clamor to send our young men and women into “wars of lies,” Hightower’s words. First, if one does not have a son, daughter, husband, wife, brother, sister, etc., in the military, then they have no right to say anything about whether the mission on which our military is on, and may not return from, is right, wrong, honest or dishonest. My wife and I do have the right, as do those like us in the same situation. We wonder, fretfully so every day, whether our son will get deployment orders to places we do not want to even consider. If you do not have the same worries, count your blessings and shut up.
Finally, it is time people stop hiding behind “I support our troops, but I believe the war is wrong, dishonest, based on lies, etc.” One cannot support the person but think what they do is wrong. In the case of our military, the soldier, sailor is the mission. If you really believe what they do is wrong and dishonest, state that upfront. I doubt if many who oppose our war efforts have the courage to take that stance. William C. Henry New Berlin
PET PEEVES As an appointed member of Sangamon County Citizens Advisory Committee on Animal Control serving my second term, I take exception to the Chris Britt cartoon in Illinois Times, Aug. 7 (“SCCA board member”). The portrayal depicted and labeling of this depiction as stereotypical “Illinois politics,” is a reach into the cesspool of all that is shameful.
Why is ensuring bipartisan representation on a committee through the appointment of seven Republicans and six Democrats cause for concern? Granted, the recent appointment of Sheryle Henry, in light of information in Illinois Times coverage of the incidents involving animals she owns, shows that she made a poor choice in submitting an application to serve on this board. Steps are being taken by the board to more thoroughly review applications in the future. However, what is reasonable for appointment to a committee that is “advisory” only?
If Illinois Times truly wishes to provide information on important issues involving this committee, I would suggest an article on the Maximus report, which attempted to analyze the costs for animal control in Sangamon County. Also, looking at the results of the negotiations for the renewal of animal control contracts with the city of Springfield and villages throughout the county could provide a timely update on the resolution of concerns raised months ago. Or perhaps an analysis of whether or not having animal control services provided under the Sangamon County Department of Public Health is the most efficient way to make use of taxpayer funded resources. Issues such as these are the focus of those serving on the committee because of a genuine concern for the well being of our furry friends and a commitment to making a positive contribution through service to the community.
All of the negativity involving the one appointment that was not reviewed properly out of the many appointments made by the Sangamon County board, with recommendations from the party chairman, seems more an attempt to create undue concern than to inform the readership. Why not use the talents of your reporter and political cartoonist to bring attention to issues that really matter this election season? Kathryn Dinardo Rochester
