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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 12, 2007

Soldiers, Not Guards

Regarding 'the Perils Of Privatizing Security' (Our Opinion, Oct. 5):

The Tribune's editorial question regarding why the military is not providing security in Iraq shows that you and most politicians either have a lack of understanding or a complete disregard of the facts.

The military is not providing the security because it is unable to do so. Contractors are being utilized to a far greater extent in this war than ever before. The obvious reason is that the military has been reduced to the point where they cannot conduct combat operations and still provide the security support that they have provided in previous wars.

A day doesn't go by that I don't hear some politician or news media comment about how unfair it is that the troops are having to stay longer and redeploy with less home time. No one mentions that the once-mighty U.S. military is only a shell of what it was prior to the end of the Cold War.

HUGH SULLIVAN

Tampa

Let Military Do Job

I wonder how many of our servicemen and women and innocent Iraqis have been killed or wounded in retaliation for armed contractors and mercenaries running loose in Iraq with little or no oversight? Even one is one too many.

These contractors appear no different to our enemies than our soldiers, yet they don't have to play by the same rules and can disappear and let our military take the brunt of any reprisals for their actions.

Just say 'no' to overpaid armed contractors and let the military do its job.

SETH KOCHONIN

Valrico

Our Safety Comes First

Regarding 'Judge Considers Bail For Jailed USF Student' (Metro, Oct. 5):

Every passing day we learn of a new revelation in the case of the jailed University of South Florida students Ahmed Mohamed and Youssef Megahed, who are being held in Hillsborough County jail on federal charges while a judge considers bail for at least one of them.

We may never know the intent of these two students, but we do know the facts so far. They had low-grade explosive pipe bombs in their car, a container of gasoline, 20 feet of safety fuse, a computer full of Jihadi images, computer folders containing files on explosives including TNT and C-4, a YouTube video clearly demonstrating how to make a remote detonator out of a toy's remote control and a signed affidavit in which Mohamed states that the technology which he demonstrated in the video was to be used against those who fought for the United States.

I'm more concerned about the safety of our country and our students at USF than I am about the rights of visiting students with hidden agendas who care nothing about this country.

BRIAN BOYLE

Tampa

Stirring Things Up

Regarding 'The Danger Of Iranian Rhetoric' (Our Opinion, Oct. 9):

I know that the president of Iran is potentially a dangerous person and likes to incite with his fiery words, but do you realize you're starting to rattle sabers with the tone of your opinion piece? Your first sentence, '... Ahmadinejad is a dangerous leader in a violent part of the world' sounds like a line torn out of President Bush's fear-mongering speeches.

The part that stands out and disturbs me the most is, 'Iran is also responsible for the deaths of some American troops in Iraq.' I may have missed it so to be fair, before I say you're speaking out of turn, can you direct us to how Gen. Petraeus obtained this info, so we can verify this actually happened? He states, 'Iran ... is responsible for providing ... the direction for operations that have killed U.S. soldiers.' So Iran is, in part, running things in Iraq? And the president says Iraq is improving?

RON THUEMLER

Tampa

Deter And Contain

Calling Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a 'menace who must be deterred and contained' may be grossly underestimating the influence of the man, not only on the Iranian people, but also on the unrealistic public in general.

Who since Hitler has had the charisma and charm to woo the indecisive masses? In the Western world, Ahmadinejad presents himself as well-spoken, well-educated, clean-cut, tremendously self-disciplined and not bad looking. He has the ability to say what needs to be said to be the catalyst for the group he wants to captivate.

The door appears to be open and the enemy is lying in wait. Determent and containment may not be enough to protect America from the Ahmadinejads of this world.

GAYLE B. DUKE

Apollo Beach

Retaliate When Attacked

As a supporter of George W. Bush, I now believe the peoples of the Middle East are beyond understanding basic principles of human conduct. With that in mind, I have had a reversal of my support for the war and any and all aid to any Middle East country.

We should do an orderly withdrawal and warn those countries we will strike back with air attacks on any country we can determine the attackers came from each and every time a radical Muslim group attacks any American citizen or business. As the terrorists don't care if women or children are hurt, so we shall also not care.

DENNIS STAHLBOCK

Land O' Lakes

Get Up And Take Charge

I have never looked forward to a date in my life as much as I do Jan. 20, 2009. That, as you know, is George W. Bush's last day in office.

Many of us are frustrated that Democrats are not doing more to overcome Republican opposition; I often feel they are playing right into Bush's hands. I only ask the American public to wake up and take charge; this is no longer the government of the people, by the people and for the people. This Republican regime is the government of the few, by the egotistical and only for the upper class. Get off your butts, America!

RICHARD SULLIVAN

Tampa

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