Since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Berlin wall our politicians in Washington, D.C. have convinced themselves that “heaven has come to earth,” in spite of all the evidence to the contrary. Our country finds itself confronted today by a world full of countries that have already produced weapons of mass destruction and those on the threshold of having them.
Every passing year will bring even more rogue countries with these weapons into this category. What are our illustrious, enlightened leaders doing to counter this and protect American citizens?
They are still steadily moving forward with base closings and even further reductions in our armed forces. One does not have to be a Rhodes Scholar to realize that at some point in the near future we will all pay dearly for this lack of foresight by our “so-called” leaders.
As the comic strip character Pogo use to say, “We have met the enemy and he is us!”
Billy E. Price
Ashville
Incineration
Even if National Research Council scientists and ADEM believed incineration safe mechanically under ideal operating conditions, the facts in the history of the Army’s management of chemical weapons incineration indicate anything but a record of safety. The facts regarding the normal incineration process itself indicate, too, the continuous release of poisons during daily operations (for many, many years) and potential deadly releases during upset conditions.
Therefore, incineration in not a safe technology even under ideal circumstances and the can-do mentality of Army brass (who can cover-up what they can’t do or what they do wrong) is clearly not one to be running an incinerator.
Two Republican senators (Kentucky, Colorado) have, therefore, strongly opposed Army management even for their neutralization sites.
Of course, these senators’ leadership has provided first-class citizenship (i.e., contained, safer, faster neutralization) for their states, unlike most of Alabama’s “leaders” who pretend incineration is safe and then kow-tow to the powers that be.
Gene Blanton
Jacksonville
Loss to local radio
I stopped listening to WDNG during the morning when Chuck the Bible Thumper replaced the wonderful Rob Street. I continued to tune in during David Ford’s afternoon “Local News in Depth” because it was such a good source of information about local goings-on. Given the programming acumen (see reference to the Fundamentalist, above), it’s disappointing but totally understandable that WDNG would ditch its last great local talent.
I await David’s replacement with bated breath. Has the station considered a flat-earth theorist? Perhaps a snake handler or Muslim fundamentalist giving us his take on local events would better suit the programming style.
Thanks for nothing you money grubbing, corporate sell-out, path of least resistance troglodytes.
Russell Buckalew
Weaver
Shop local
As a small business owner in Anniston I have watched the closings of many of our small businesses in town over the last few years. The citizens of Anniston seem to be concerned but everyone seems to shop at the big chain stores with little concern for the small businesses, which have supported the city and its many charities.
Over the years the small businesses in town have paid plenty of taxes and provided many jobs for the citizens. I’m sure that the majority of people shop for convenience or price without even considering the effect this has on Anniston and its merchants.
With all the greed and scandals going on in corporate America I for one find it refreshing to support my friends and neighbors who have worked and supported our city over the years.
Over the last few years several of our local funeral homes have been acquired by an out-of-town corporation. This corporation owns around 7,000 funeral homes and cemeteries in the United States, Europe and the rest of the world.
Although we now have a county morgue these funeral homes still seem to receive a large percentage of the business.
The funeral home orders their flowers from an out-of-town florist.
They went out-of-town because none of the local florists wanted to take advantage of their friends, neighbors and customers in their time of bereavement.
My complaint centers on the fact that the local florists have to buy a city and county license in addition to collecting sales tax for our city and state.
I would just like to remind the people of Anniston that there are some new locally owned funeral homes in this area that do not use these types of practices. The people of our city need to support those businesses that support them.
Larry Pinson
Anniston
(Editor’s note: Mr. Pinson is the owner of two flower shops in Anniston.)
Accused
It has now been a year since Marcus Pugh’s life was cut short — a year that the accused, Phillip Fondren, has been able to live his life with his family, running free on the streets of Calhoun County. I wonder how many people have forgotten.If you did, then you did exactly what the accused and his counsel wanted you to do. If they could get the people to do this then they will be able to get a lower sentence.
It is a shame that many of these cases are plea bargained. It saves court time and costs and allows the accused to get out earlier!
If the accused is allowed to plea bargain he will have won the court fight.
Therefore, I ask the people of Calhoun County, is this what you want? If not, then start calling your officials and DA and make your voice heard!
Genie Pembrook
Bynum
Moore
A warning to all Alabamians, Judge Moore has lots of plans for us. These plans are taken from the archaic writings found in the ancient texts of the Book of Moses. The beginning of his plans was the placing of a gigantic stone in the state-owned judicial building with the Ten Commandments carved on it, supposedly given to Moses by Yahweh the God of Moses. Not many worship the god Yahweh today.
These Commandments forbid us to worship any god but Yahweh. Moses said that Yahweh gave him many more rules to follow.
When will our modern day (Moses) Moore begin enforcing these ancient rules from an ancient mythology?
James Howard
Cedar Bluff
Thanks
Each of us at East Central Alabama United Cerebral Palsy would like to thank those who helped to make our Center Christmas Party a huge success. We would especially like to thank Susan Nichols and all of the employees and patrons of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store for purchasing gifts for our clients from the wishing tree. We would also like to say a big thank you to Robert Gordon who has been our Santa for over eight years. At this time of year, we would like to also say a heart-felt thanks to all of the clubs, organizations, businesses and individuals who continually offer support to our Center and to the children and adults with disabilities that we serve. May God richly bless each and every one.
Linda D. Johns, Executive Director
Anniston
