I read with some sadness the Porkopolis item titled “Who would Jesus send care packages to?” (issue of Nov. 16-22). I am certain that Jesus wouldn’t take sides and would send care packages to everyone.
Did you learn nothing from the effects of the Vietnam War? The left wing castigated U.S. troops during that war, and the right wing has been making political hay from it since at least Sept. 11, 2001. I served in Army ROTC for a brief time (1971 and 1972) during that war, and yes, it was at a Roman Catholic university (University of Dayton). I recall having to withstand the glares and under-the-breath mutterings of my fellow students as I crossed campus in my ill-fitting uniform. I felt that I was only doing what the song lyrics called “my patriotic chore.”
Our men and women in uniform serve us in good times and bad. They can’t pick the battles; our elected political leaders do.
Providing care packages to our forces is one of the corporal works of mercy of the Catholic faith.
I do not support the war in Iraq. I’m also not a pacifist. As police protect citizens from criminals in the streets, our armed forces protect us from international threats. Citing St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologiae, Pope John Paul II wrote in his 1995 encyclical “Gospel of Life”: “Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty for someone responsible for another’s life, the common good of the family or of the State.” We cannot fault the troops just because we fault the mission our politicians assigned to them.
This moderate Roman Catholic knows that it’s not “for me or against me,” “black or white,” “my way or the highway.” The College Republicans (the know-nothing right) and the Young Socialists or whatever (the know-it-all left) can both kiss my white Irish ass. We can thank our armed forces, mainly young people, without tacitly approving the politicians who put them in harm’s way.
— Kenneth Jordan, Clifton Heights
Tired of Presuming
Again, Margo Pierce hits the nail on the head in her article “Residents, Beware” concerning Rockford Woods (issue of Oct. 26-Nov. 1). As a homeowner in that development, I, too, am frustrated and angry, but it has been a learning experience for me. Actually, I’ve learned a lot.
First, I have come to realize that there is a significant difference between “governance” and “politics.” Our leaders are more concerned about their political well-being rather than the responsibility of true governance. Put simply, politicians and city administrators are far more concerned about their own careers and their own agendas than they are about the well-being of the city and its citizens.
Secondly, I presumed that the Municipal Code and the terms of a Planned Unit Development (PUD) Agreement were there to protect the citizens. I presumed that everyone, including the city administration, was bound to abide by the Municipal Code, just like I am. Apparently I was wrong. It’s perfectly legitimate to violate code and PUD terms if you’re a city administrator.
Thirdly, while I presumed that our city council members were there to represent the citizens of this city, I was apparently wrong. Try to get an appointment with one of them! Few of them even respond, with a postcard, to letters of concern, phone calls or e-mail. Yet they feel they can make decisions about very complex issues while only hearing from the city administration. Fortunately, there are a few rare exceptions.
Fourthly, I presumed that the mayor and the city council actually provided the leadership and set policy for the city. Wrong again! It’s the city administration, the unelected folks, who do the back-room dealing and decision-making. City administration seems much more concerned about protecting their own interests and the interests of the developer rather than the interests of those citizens who chose to invest in Cincinnati.
Fifthly, I presumed that the leadership of any city would want to work constructively to solve problems created by the city itself. Again, I was wrong. And so my neighbor, Jeff Leptak-Moreau, is correct when he raises David Pepper’s comments about letting lawyers figure it all out. Even the mayor asked a small group of residents, “Why don’t you just sue the city?” This is great for the morale of the citizens.
So the whole experience has been a learning process for me, and I presume there is still a lot to learn.
— Michael J. Smith, Northside
Cons Vs. Bush
There is a time for leadership, a time to talk, a time to act, a time for courage and a time for character. President Bush has repeatedly stated his commitment to uphold the constitution of the United States of America. Sadly, his leadership is restricted to talking related to his staff’s incredible involvement in leaking the name of a CIA agent to reporters.
We know that Karl Rove revealed the identity of an undercover CIA agent to reporters Matt Cooper of Time and columnist Robert Novak. Rove either broke the law or was grossly negligent with national secrets, yet he still works in the White House. Outing an undercover CIA agent hurts our national security and jeopardizes the lives of those in the CIA working to eliminate weapons of mass destruction.
Where are our elected government leaders in the Republican Party when we need their strength? Where is their courage? Where is their character? Where is their leadership? We must assume that if conservatives are not committed to conserving national security, they must simply be interested in conserving their position and wealth.
The president and the men and women in the Republican Party still have time to do the right thing. The rest of us need men and women of substance in the Republican Party on the front lines. The people of the United States need you to act. Stand up for America! Help get our president back on track.
— Paul Rogers III, Madeira
Correction
Mildred C. Fallen’s story “The Life Jibri Built” (issue of Nov. 16-22) erroneously reports that the single “The House Tha Dog Built” samples George Clinton’s “Atomic Dog.” Jibri’s song actually contains portions of Clinton’s “Give up the Funk” (co-written by Bootsy Collins) and portions of Chic’s “Good Times.”
This article appears in Nov 30 – Dec 6, 2005.