Letters
- Details
- Written by: Donna Christopher
The United Nations Authorization for American Troops to be in Iraq expires at the end of this year. Unless an agreement is reached we will have our sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers in a foreign land with no authorization to be there. They may well be then subject to arrest and trial at the hands of the Iraqi people as we will become unauthorized invaders of a sovereign nation.
A tentative agreement was reached between the United States and Prime Minister Al Maliki to give our troops the authority to stay past Jan. 31, 2008. This agreement allowed for immunity for our troops but no immunity for private contractors such as Blackwater, KBR and others. Prime Minister Al Maliki then called for the Iraqi Parliament to meet and vote on this agreement.
What he got in response was the equivalent of a "Thanks But No Thanks" for that tentative agreement, the members of Parliament don't even want to meet to discuss it. That appears to be a strong hint we have overstayed our welcome. I've heard lots of talk about how pulling the troops out on an 18-month time line would be a logistical nightmare – what if we have to do it by the end of the year? Russia has confirmed (at least as of 10/22) that they would vote in the affirmative if this issue were brought back before the United Nations Security Council. This should come as no surprise to anyone, Russia is most happy to see us tied up in Iraq.
Are you smelling smoke yet?
Donna Christopher lives in Lucerne. Her two sons are serving overseas.
{mos_sb_discuss:4}
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News Reports
She provided an example of her leadership at the most recent Board of Supervisors meeting, when she took time from her crowded campaign schedule not only to attend the discussion of an ordinance regulating the cultivation of genetically engineered crops in Lake County, but to speak most cogently in favor of this measure (which passed!) from the perspective of a marketing professional, demonstrating the skills and perspective that our community needs to go forward into a brighter, more sustainable future.
For the future of the South County, and for the county as a whole, please join me in voting for Susanne La Faver on Nov. 4.
Victoria Brandon lives in Lower Lake.
{mos_sb_discuss:4}
- Details
- Written by: Mike McNaught
As a community supporter, Jim is presently serving in his eighth term on the Middletown School Board, Middletown Plan Committee, a board member of the Middletown Merchants’ Association and a founding member of the Lake County Home, Farm and 4-H Foundation. He previously served on the Middletown Fire Protection District board and on the Hidden Valley Lake/Coyote Valley Area Planning Committee. He has a level of community involvement that is unparalleled.
Jim has a lifelong period of experience, knowledge and abilities in Lake County. As a rancher and businessman, strong family man, fiscally responsible, a veteran, a community supporter, Jim had been a leader in the improvement of the Middletown business district and for the school district. He dearly loves this area and will work hard to bring necessary and fiscally responsible growth and improvements.
I first met Jim over 17 years ago when I assumed command of the Coast Guard LORAN Station here. One of my priorities was to meet each of my immediate neighbors. Jim Comstock was one of these neighbors. I am honored to call Jim a friend.
Please join with me and support Jim Comstock with your vote on Nov. 4.
Mike McNaught, CWO4, USCG (Ret.), lives in Hidden Valley Lake.
{mos_sb_discuss:4}
- Details
- Written by: Jon E. Hopkins
Proposition 5 is a virtual “get out of jail free” card for those accused of domestic violence, child abuse, home burglary, identity theft or killing someone while driving under the influence. Instead, they may avoid prosecution altogether by claiming “the drugs made me do it.”
Proposition 5 shortens parole from three years to just six months for drug dealers who sell or distribute up to $50,000 of meth. This creates a virtual “express lane” for drug dealers to get back on the streets. Proposition 5 should be more aptly named the “Drug Dealers Bill of Rights.”
Proposition 5 is so dangerous that numerous prominent Individuals and organizations have joined together against it including Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Attorney General Jerry Brown, former Governors Gray Davis, Pete Wilson, and George Deukmejian, as well as Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the entire law enforcement community.
Please do your part to stop this dangerous initiative by asking your family, friends and neighbors to vote NO on Proposition 5. We simply cannot afford the massive havoc this initiative will wreak on our families, schools and communities.
Your NO vote on Proposition 5 will help protect your neighborhoods from violent crime. Thank you for your help in this effort.
Jon E. Hopkins is district attorney of Lake County.
{mos_sb_discuss:4}
How to resolve AdBlock issue?