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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 16, 2008

Help Returning Soldiers

Regarding "A Hero At 26, War Haunted Him The Rest Of His Days" (Nation/World, July 9):

Army Pfc. Joseph Dwyer's mother, Maureen Dwyer, said "...he just couldn't get over the war. He wasn't Joseph anymore. Joseph never came home."
Neuroscientists are discovering that the adult brain does change, making routing changes throughout life. It adapts, responding to the demand of new experiences. We may now have the knowledge to properly prepare our soldiers soon to go into a war zone how to better handle the radical new environment they will face. Combat personnel need such updated mental training prior to deployment.

On the flip side, war changes people. When their discharge time nears, personnel who have lived in a war zone need a careful mental appraisal and, for many, help to readjust and regain a healthy mental perspective.

JOHN HELGERSEN

Tampa

Service Questioned Again

Regarding "The Relevance Of Being Shot Down" (Other Views, July 9):

Along with the article on PFC Joseph Dwyer, I can't think of two stories that in tandem speak to all that is wrong with our political system today.

George Bush got re-elected in part not on the merits of his military record - or lack thereof - but by the "Swift boat" veterans questioning John Kerry's Vietnam service. If the Bush campaign had made these claims they would have looked like hypocrites, but since Bush did not say, "I approved this message," he can claim they were doing it without his knowledge.

Now these same people are pouring money into John McCain's campaign and no doubt getting ready to show him as a hero compared to Obama. Meanwhile Dwyer, whose heroics nobody can question, died forgotten and neglected, huffing on aerosol cleaner to escape his ghosts.

How can this happen?

JOHN McGOURTY

Seffner

Criticism Is Off Base

I don't know where General Wesley Clark came up with the idea that flying a fighter does not require judgment. I went through 15 months of training as an aviation cadet to become a fighter pilot. Our class started out with 430 cadets of which 285 completed the program and received their wings. Those who did not complete the program were washed out for two main reasons - lack of flying skills and lack of good judgment.

Although a Rhodes Scholar, such a dumb statement makes me question whether Clark would have had the judgment required to be a fighter pilot. Does he really believe that Obama's work as a community activist in Chicago requires more judgment than flying a fighter where a mistake in judgment can be fatal?

HAROLD H. DEAN

St. Petersburg

Just Not Presidential

While I honor all my fellow veterans' sacrifices, John McCain's service and captivity are not qualifications for president.

Respect for selfless military service was not so important when another decorated Vietnam veteran was unfairly denigrated in 2004 and a Vietnam era National Guard absentee remained president. Sadly, during the Vietnam era military service was often denigrated or viewed with hostility. Thankfully, such service is now widely respected. But let's not assume it reflects presidential judgment and temperament.

I have known many fine, brave soldiers, but few if any that I would want elected president.

JACK DARKES

Temple Terrace

Defining Patriotism

Regarding the meaning of patriotism being discussed in the current presidential campaign, one of the most popular views being expressed is that supporting our troops and the war in Iraq is a required example of patriotism, with which I strongly disagree. Having served in the military, I am comfortable with the notion of supporting our troops while at the same time opposing the war and the policies that lead to this conflict. That's why I believe that we should never lose sight of the fact that as powerful as our military is, its primary mission is to defend our way of life. It's our responsibility back home to provide a free society and a country worth fighting for.

In addition to supporting our troops, I believe that supporting our Constitution and the principles therein is as good as an example of patriotism as any expressed. This is why I am equally troubled by the Patriot Act. We should not ignore the fact that one of the best examples of a free country is when the people are watching the government, rather than the government watching people, which has now become the case as a result of the Patriot Act.

FRED MIDURA

Bradenton

Castor Has Supporters

I felt disbelief when reading the narrow, slanted attacks on individuals such as Rep. Kathy Castor (Letters, July 12) who demonstrate their bravery in standing up and saying the "emperor isn't wearing any clothes" with regard to our shock and awe at the price, consumption and marketing of petroleum products.

Castor's comments so well reflect those spoken by our own Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services commissioner Charles H. Bronson in his May 23 press conference where he called on members of Congress to investigate in depth "Big Oil" and those who would foist onto the American public numerous ruses regarding our current situation.

Bronson said, "We're being taken for a ride and the evidence is everywhere, from the escalating prices we pay to fill up our vehicles with gasoline to the purchase of virtually all consumer goods."

The body of the press conference can be found on the state's Web site and also an audio/video for those of us who would prefer to get a genuine grasp of the problem instead of listening to partisan rhetoric.

CHARMAYNE L. FOREMAN

Largo

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