On IraqTaking a stand I will not vote for or support any candidate for Congress or president who does not make a speedy end to the war in Iraq — and preventing any future war of aggression — a public position in his or her campaign.

A really bad idea

Apparently the author of the editorial titled ” A Bad Idea” (Dec. 1 Daily Record ) slept through the recent midterm elections. Otherwise he or she would know ” the heat has already been applied from the bottom up, ” and our senators and representatives, in fear for their jobs, hurriedly passed a bill to build a border fence.

Of course, they then failed to fund it, so now they can collectively say, ” We tried, but no money was available. ” The author would also know our local representative touted a bill this past summer that would force employers to validate the Social Security numbers of prospective employees. Of course, that can’t be put in place for several more years.

Nearly all those elected ran on a platform of ” getting tough on illegal immigration. ” The election is over, gas prices are going back up, and the INS has not made a single raid. In other words, it’s not likely that our federal officials will ever do anything to curtail illegal immigration. The time has come for our local governments to step forward and look for solutions to this problem. To say that local law enforcement agencies should not be federally trained to handle violations of our immigration laws is the real truly bad idea.

Canadian Border

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire and British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell have unveiled a plan for increased security at the U. S.-Canadian border that would be far less disruptive than federal plans to show passports at crossings beginning in June 2009.

Gregoire and Campbell would use new technology to scan bar codes on U. S. and Canadian driver’s licenses to check for phony licenses and determine whether the bearer was on a security watch list.

The government’s plan would be enormously disruptive to cross-border tourism and commerce. That has troubling economic implications for both countries. About $ 1. 2 billion of trade crosses the U. S.-Canadian border daily. Some 10 million tourists cross at Washington’s land ports annually. Campbell cites a poll that shows one-third of U. S. and Canadian citizens who live near the border would be less likely to cross if required to show a passport. Would that be enough to persuade the government to back away from its plan to require passports ? It should, but it’s hard to be optimistic. The government generally has resisted backtracking on any plan to beef up security, however excessive and unrealistic that plan may be.

KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS

I wanted to comment on this insane idea of saying the word “Holiday” to replace the word “Christmas.” My daughter works for Wal-Mart and was reprimanded for telling someone “Merry Christmas.” I was infuriated. What is the point of Christmas if we can’t put Christ in it? This world and some of the people need to take a long look at their values. Everyone has a right to their own opinion, but to take Christ out of Christmas is ludicrous.

CHENEY SCARIER THAN PRESIDENT

I read with interest the letter from Thomas L. Vassilaros regarding impeachment of President Bush for violations. My comment is as stated in U.S. News & World Report, Nov. 27: “Dick Cheney.” He would automatically be president. The article I’m referring to was written by Paul Bedard, which states, “The degree to which the new Democratic leadership on Capitol Hill despises Vice President Dick Cheney is a big plus for President Bush. Consider why incoming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid scrapped an idea to impeach Bush. ‘Two words: Dick Cheney,’ he says, joking that it would vault the veep into the Oval Office.” Now that’s scary!

ALL AMERICANS AREN’T WILLING

Like thousands of others during the era of the draft, I received a letter informing me that I had been chosen by my friends and neighbors to serve my country. The draft excluded students and was considered unfair. Today, our volunteer armed forces are made up by many young men and women who lack the funds to continue their education or can’t find jobs. Many of these young people are from minority groups.

Sadly, because of a lack of enough volunteering, the Navy is now being asked to volunteer men from ships to serve in Iraq. These men and women signed up for duty at sea.

If we required everyone without exception except those with medical disability to serve in our armed forces, we would be a little more careful before getting involved. Politicians and wealthy individuals for the most part don’t have children who are serving.

We are told that 25 percent of those returning from Iraq will be on disability, and that doesn’t include the mental problems that many of them will have. Here’s praying that we don’t let them down.

This old Korean vet feels it is horrible and wrong to let only volunteers serve. All Americans, not just a few, should be willing to die if called upon.

WILL ANYONE TAKE THIS CROSS?

My work requires me to drive up and down I-540 in the Rogers area in those dark hours just before dawn. As I was driving past the pinnacle area the other day, I caught a glimpse of three stately crosses, bathed in light from flood lamps that cast beams of light heavenward through the predawn haze. I could not help but think, “Here stands a monument to someone’s glory.” I look at those three grandiose crosses standing by the reflecting pool, before the majestic concrete and glass edifice with its coffee shop, its entertainment halls, and its 3,000 seat theater. I can’t help but think how different these crosses are from the wooden implement of torture that the Messiah dragged through the streets of Jerusalem until he could bear the weight no longer. I marvel at how different these crosses are from the ones that Jesus referred to when He said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23, KJV) Jesus was not talking about a little gold cross around your neck, or a large concrete monument in front of your church building. He was talking about following His teachings and wearing His name, even if it meant giving up your comfortable lifestyle, even if it meant risking your very life. These crosses symbolize a place where people can come to worship their opulence, where they can come and sip coffee and hear ‘feel good’ messages in their theater. I look at these crosses and I think, “Here stands a monument to someone’s glory, but not to God’s.”

JIM HOLT FOR PRESIDENT

One conclusion obvious Your recent donation of thousands of dollars’ worth of space to keeping Jim Holt’s name before the voters was much appreciated. I’ve never seen you do an editorial that big, even squeezing the Big Game down to two lines. The only thing better was when you ran that wonderful cartoon labeled “Jim Holt’s platform” —showing him standing on a Bible yet ! It shows you really do enjoy throwing an occasional bone to those of us who live in what some call the Bible Belt. I’ve been thinkin’. What do you suppose might have happened in the race for U. S. senator if Holt had the $ 6 million to spend and Blanche Lincoln had the $ 120, 000 and, instead of being outspent 50-to-1, outspending her 50-to-1 ? In most elections, that kind of difference would easily raise that 44 percent to two-thirds or more. Then if he could have spent the $ 3 million and Bill Halter had only the $ 200, 000, what would he have gotten instead of 42 percent outspending 15-to-1 instead of being outspent 15-to-1 ? I believe he would have gotten at least 60 percent. Do you think there might be room in Holt’s “dark little shop” for the 60 percent or so of your readers (and voters ) who appreciate Thrifty Jim’s ability to not only live on a minuscule budget, but to consistently vote to keep so many greedy hands (however noble the causes attached ) out of the pockets of us overtaxedpayers ? Lucky for us that there is only one live race that Holt could get into this early. So I support your obvious conclusion: Jim Holt for president .