Voice of the People - September 17, 2007 | Rock Hill Herald

Protesters exercising constitutional rights

After reading Jeff Fairfax's recent letter to the editor, I wanted to fill in some minor details that he might have missed.

1. This "war on terror" is just propaganda for preemptive, perpetual war. How can you have a war on a tactic? It is bumper-sticker material at best. It is the same mentality used when people talk about the U.S. Patriot Act. What is patriotic about taking away American rights?

2. Mr. Fairfax stated: "I will never forget how bin Laden and his gutless thugs spit in our faces, drew the line in the sand and double-dog dared us to retaliate." How does this justify the invasion and occupation of Iraq? There has never been a link between bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. Why didn't we invade Saudi Arabia, since 15 of the 19 9-11 hijackers were Saudi citizens?

3. Regarding the occupation of Iraq: According to the Aug. 27 State Department report on the Iraqi security forces, they have 359,700 trained and equipped forces. This is way more than the U.S. military presence in Iraq. Can the Iraqis not fight for their own freedom? Do we really need to be occupying that country? Perhaps we are there for more "crude" reasons (think O.peration I.raqi L.iberation)

4. Mr. Fairfax's interpretation of the protesters is completely unfair. Is it not patriotic to demand our troops come home from a job well done. Did they not remove Saddam Hussein? Was that not the mission? The protesters want our troops out of harm's way, and it is insulting that he demeans them for their constitutionally protected rights.

Finally, since Mr. Fairfax is a fan of quotation, I wanted to leave him with one of my personal favorites from Alexis de Tocqueville: "All those who seek to destroy the liberties of a democratic nation ought to know that war is the surest and shortest means to accomplish it."

Thank you for allowing me to air my disagreement and let us safely bring our troops home now!

Mike Toohey

York

Rosh Hashana is Jewish New Year

Last year, you had an oversight in not writing about the Jewish New Year. It began at sundown Wednesday and goes for seven days. It is called Rosh Hashana. On the eighth day, we celebrate the holiest of days, Yom Kippur. This is our day of atonement, similar to the meaning of Lent.

Barry Cheren

Rock Hill

Is jaywalking really that big a problem?

The crisis in downtown Rock Hill is jaywalking?

I wonder what earth-shaking event prompted the City Council to act so suddenly and swiftly to deal with this dastardly problem?

Oh, the issue wasn't really jaywalking, it was about some guy wanting to open a food joint and sell booze within 300 feet of a temple.

And to circumvent state law, the idea of jaywalking crosswalks scooted around the problem.

Ah, neat idea.

I wonder when the last time someone was struck by a vehicle on Main Street? Was it by car or horse and buggy?

The last time I was in downtown Rock Hill, traffic was so sparse you could time the flow with a sundial.

If city leaders are really concerned about safety at crosswalks, they need to take a tour down Oakland Avenue at Winthrop.

Sadly, this is yet another attempt by city government to help a business move into the decaying tomb of downtown Rock Hill.

Lewis Murray

Rock Hill