Speak Out

Our investment in war — 43 cents of every discretionary tax dollar — has resulted in the tail wagging the dog with regard to our foreign policy and economy.

We have invested ourselves in the myth that violence can protect us — 730 foreign military bases and a defense budget equal to the rest of the world's. In Alabama, politicians applaud the jobs every new defense contract brings and then tax us to pay those same workers.

I'd rather choose to pay them to build computers and houses, teach my children, heal my parents and research green energy. In Rep. Mike Rogers' District 3 alone, we have spent $615.9 million on the Iraq War, according to nationalpriorities.org; that would have provided 256,700 people with health care for a year or built 7,470 affordable housing units. It also would have saved more than a million American and Iraqi lives.

Although few admit to wanting war, people choose tanks over health care when they're afraid, and fear is irrational. It captures both our foreign policy and our economy. Let's start thinking with our whole brain and not just the "dark side."

Scott W. Beckett
Jacksonville

Perfect logic

Re "Don't get this logic" (Speak Out, May 28):

I would encourage letter writer Jamie Watts to read former Bush press secretary Scott McClellan's new book. It seems that McClellan actually has something many Republicans do not have — honor. He could no longer stand the spin he was dictated to feed the American public. Once the Republicans lose power, maybe we can get some honest looks into this mess we call the Bush administration.

Watts would have you think all Democrats are socialists because some Americans believe helping those disadvantaged is the right thing to do. What is socialist about feeding poor children or helping them get medical assistance they do not have? And if he thinks an election has never been stolen in this country, maybe he needs to get his news from something other than Fox News.

I find it odd that Watts accuses letter writer P.J. Miller of apparently dreaming up something when he uses his own version of spin to try and bolster his statements. The United Nations did say there were no weapons of mass destruction. I would suggest that maybe 80 percent of America is tired of the current administration's many misadventures. I predict many things will come out about this administration that will make Bill Clinton's lie pale in comparison.

Eric Luna
Anniston

Classified challenge

Re Crossword puzzle, May 31:

Whoever checks or proofs The Star had his or her (54 across) wrapped in a (44 down) in today's crossword puzzle. It was a classified challenge to me!

I really enjoy Star media critic Paul Rilling's columns that point out the errors and omissions in some of the articles.

I'm grateful we still have a newspaper in town, because I'm computer illiterate. By the way, tell Star Senior Editor George Smith his column is tops with me.

Freda Shafer
Oxford