President is Trampling on Civil Rights

According to articles on several web sites here and in Europe, Mr Bush met with top GOP leaders and staff members last month to review their strategy for convincing Congress to renew the PATRIOT Act. Many members of Congress, including some in Mr Bush's own party, object to renewing the law because they say some provisions trample on Americans' civil liberties as spelled out in the Constitution. When reminded by an aide that there is a valid case that provisions in this law undermine the Constitution, Mr Bush screamed "Stop throwing the Constitution in my face, it's just a 'g_d_' piece of paper!" The words are Mr Bush's - not mine. That statement, if true, makes it clear what little respect Mr Bush has for the foundation of all our laws and which he has twice taken an oath to "uphold and defend." Many members of Congress and legal scholars consider some of Mr Bush's acts illegal: invading a sovereign country that posed no imminent threat; torturing detainess, some of whom died; holding Americans prisoner without preferring charges; kidnapping foreign nationals outside the United States and shipping them to countries that practice torture; and approving spying on Americans without a court order. Mr Bush seems to have mistaken the definition of "president" with that of "king." Clearly, he has overstepped the limits of his position as commander-in-chief which only makes him the top official in the military - he does not have the power to circumvent laws that apply to private citizens. Mr Bush has shown the people of this great country the utmost disrespect a public official can show. And for that, he needs to be made accountable.

NICK REINA

Milmay, New Jersey

Letter published in the Daily Journal, Decmeber 28, 2005

Drug Meeting Disappointing

Rep. Frank LoBiondo's hasty exit from the meeting he convened to explain the new Medicare D drug benefit was disappointing. The bureaucrats whom LoBiondo, R-2nd, left to do the explaining did the best they could. But they could not help coming up short, again and again referring questioners to the Medicare Web site, even though most of the people had indicated they did not have Internet access. What I had hoped to hear, as a taxpayer and Medicare recipient, was the reason no attempt was made by Congress to negotiate with the drug companies for good prices, and why the tremendous cost overrun wasn't foreseen. It looks like the insurance companies, drug companies and chain pharmacies will be the real beneficiaries of this ill-conceived plan. Taxpayers and small independent pharmacies will be the losers, and many seniors will still be unable to afford medicines they need.When a member of the audience criticized Medicare D, applause broke out. The next questioner also criticized the plan to enthusiastic clapping, whereupon one of LoBiondo's aides snatched the microphone from him. While we spend billions in Iraq installing by force what we call democracy, what is happening to democracy at home?

SALLY LAIRD McINERNEY

Letter Published in Press of Atlantic City, December 28, 2005

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/opsed/story/5794852p-5811421c.html

"Happy Holiday" is No Threat

Many of your letter writers, so adamant that someone is trying to take away their Christmas, need to know a few facts. St. Boniface “Christianized” a ritual celebrated by the Germanic tribes in which they placed gifts around a tree to honor the god Odin. More than 200 years after the death of Christ, a bishop decided that solstice festivals celebrating the birth of the “sun” Dec. 25 were a threat to the faith. And so Dec. 25 became the day to celebrate the birth of the “son,” although he was probably born in the spring. These were arbitrary symbols chosen for politically religious reasons, just as much of today's criticism is political.Those lashing out in a mean-spirited manner might want to refer to their Bibles to learn how to love their neighbors. Christ said, “By their works ye shall know them,” and he spoke against making a public display of religion. Shopping and going into debt every December has nothing to do with the birth of Christ. The true celebration takes place in the churches and homes of the faithful where there are millions of Christians quietly and reverently practicing their faith. They realize that Christianity is not so weak that it is threatened by someone's “Happy holiday,” which is said by many of us out of respect for others, whether religious or not, during the season's various holy days as well as to commemorate the beginning of the New Year.

BETTIE J. REINA

Milmay

Letter published in Press of Atlantic City, December 25, 2005

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/opsed/story/5790153p-5806844c.html

Chicken Hawks Sent GIs to Iraq

The purse strings are wide open. War profiteers are having their heyday with billions of dollars ofcontracts. But when the well runs dry, the war will end. The chicken hawks will crawl back into their rat holes. The veterans who fought the war will be out on the street begging for their benefits.Why don't we talk about getting Osama bin Laden? He is still riding around the country on that donkey Ronald Reagan gave him. He is the one who takes responsibility for Sept. 11, 2001. He is the one who is masterminding and sending terrorist agents into our country. What is this smokescreen about?I believe that with the sanctions against Iraq, the constant bombings year in and year out, the no-fly zone, U.N. inspectors roaming the country looking for WMDs that were more scarce than Bush's National Guard records, we had Saddam Hussein contained. No American GIs were being killed. No way was Saddam going to come over here and “liberate” our country.To the returning soldiers from the war against the people of Iraq, I say to them, save your criticism and energy to fight the chicken hawks who sent you to war in Iraq. These chicken hawks are already cutting back on veterans benefits. As a disabled veteran and anti-war protester, I will be at your side fighting to preserve your benefits.

RICHARD NEILL

Cape May Court House

Letter published in Press of Atlantic City, December 23, 2005

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/opinion/letters/story/5786658p-5803157c.html

Open Letter to Rep. Frank LoBiondo

Dear Congressman LoBiondo:Your hasty exit from the Atlantic County meeting you convened this afternoon [December 19] to explain the new Medicare D Drug benefit to your constituents was disappointing. The bureaucrats you left to do the explaining did the best they could to make the impossibly complicated plan comprehensible, but they could not help coming up short, again and again referring questioners to the Medicare website ( though most had not raised their hands when they¹d been asked if they had internet access) and suggesting we call 800 numbers, which they admitted would be busy for long intervals.What I had hoped to hear, as a taxpayer and Medicare recipient, was the reason no attempt was made by Congress to negotiate with the drug companies for good prices, and why the tremendous cost overun wasn¹t foreseen It looks like the insurance companies, drug companies, and chain pharmacies will be the real beneficiaries of this ill-conceived plan, while taxpayers and small independent pharmacies will be losers and many seniors will still be unable to afford medicines they need.When a member of the audience criticized Medicare D applause broke out. The next questioner also criticized the plan to enthusiastic clapping, whereupon one of your aides snatched the microphone from him. While we spend billions in Iraq installing by force what we call democracy, what is happening to democracy at home?

SALLY LAIRD McINENERY

Corbin City

Enough Already

Celebrate in churchI'm up to here with the in-your-face Christians whining because they don't hear enough Christmas carols while they shop. Couldn't they celebrate their holiday in a church instead of a mall? If I had to work in one of these places I'd be looking for some earplugs. It's unfortunate, but the way this season is celebrated in America has more to do with the thoughts of Alan Greenspan than Jesus. It's a commercial monstrosity.

James F. McCarthy

Ocean City

Letter published in Press of Atlantic City, December 12, 2005

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/opinion/letters/story/5761800p-5778903c.html

Enforce N.J. Law on Immigration

Are President Bush and the law-enforcement community serious about immigration controls? No. In New Jersey, not one police department has ever enforced the state law that says it is illegal for a travel agency to fill out, hand out or give out any immigration forms and advice. I contacted the Atlantic City Police Department, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office and the state's anti-terrorism office for more than two years to no avail. They are just not interested in investigating the large number of travel agencies run and operated by individuals who charge exorbitant fees for immigration forms.Bush is not “securing our borders,” as he stated in his recent speech. He has lost credibility. The guest-worker program would be a solution, in that the worker would be able to work in America but not be eligible for a “green card” (it's no longer actually green) due to his or her illegal entry. The problem is that many immigrants don't care about getting a green card, just simply getting the “green” (bucks, that is ... dinero). Many immigrants want the money, not the card. You can buy a pretty good house in Latin America for $10,000 saved here.

DAVID ALCANTARA

Atlantic City

Letter published in Press of Atlantic City, December 11, 2005

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/opsed/story/5759562p-5776733c.html

Liberal Benefits for Conservatives

Congress has allowed another cost-of-living increase to take effect, and representatives will earn $158,000 next year. If Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-2nd, worked 40 hours a week, his hourly rate would be $75.96. That is pretty good dough coming from a poverty-stricken area like the 2nd District. Of course, staying true to his conservative nature and keeping in lockstep with the Bush administration, LoBiondo voted to cut funding for food stamps, student loans and many other social programs.

RICHARD D. NEILL

Cape May Court House

Letter published in Press of Atlantic City, December 6, 2005

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/opinion/letters/story/5747228p-5764373c.html

Saxton in Context

The letter writer praises U.S. Rep. James Saxton, R-Mount Holly, for voting to take drilling in the Alaskan Refuge out of a House bill. I agree that saving the refuge is a good thing and join in thanking the representative. But to be fair, I think we need to look at all the congressman's votes. For example, just recently in a 217-215 vote, Saxton and U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-Ventnor, voted to cut spending for social programs by $50 billion. The bill could not have passed without their support. Some of the programs cut include Medicare, Medicaid, school lunches, food stamps and student loans. These programs typically help the poor and politically powerless. The bill did not stop there, it also extended tax cuts for the wealthiest among us. During the same week, Congress allowed itself a $3,100 raise after recently voting against raising the minimum wage, which has not seen an increase since 1997. The media reports that the Republican leadership in Congress plans to propose further tax cuts for the wealthy soon. We can look forward to more cuts to estate and dividend taxes, which most benefit those who need help the least. And the odds are Saxton and LoBiondo, who have voted for the Bush tax cuts, will continue their support of President Bush's reverse-Robin Hood policies.

NICK REINA

Milmay

Letter published in The Courier Post, December 4, 2005

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2005512040307

Rep. LoBiondo Wrong on the War

Recently, our local Iraq war cheerleader, Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-2nd, appeared on area talk-radio shows. His basic message was “if we don't fight the terrorists over there, we'd have to fight them over here.” This is the latest in a long line of Bush administration excuses for why more than 2,100 American soldiers have died in Iraq. The problem is it doesn't hold up. The war has created far more new terrorists than it has eliminated. The war has also created new sanctuaries for terrorists where none existed before, because under Saddam Hussein, al-Qaida was not welcome in Iraq. And in the long run, the war will allow Iran's influence to grow, because the new rulers in Iraq are Shiite, the same as the terrorist-supporting Iranian rulers. The implication of “fight them there” is that our young men and women have been set up as targets, as decoys, to draw out terrorist fighters so we can kill them. I don't think that is why most of our brave soldiers signed up for the military, to be targets or sitting ducks.Finally, there is no proof that if we withdrew from Iraq, the terrorists would start fighting over here. What are we spending billions on homeland security for if not to stop terrorists' threats here? Wouldn't it be more likely that the Iraq insurgents would be kept busy by the inevitable civil war that will follow our eventual withdrawal?It is time that the Democrats in the 2nd Congressional District to run a credible candidate against LoBiondo — a candidate who opposes the Iraq war, so that voters next year can have a chance to send LoBiondo a message. He sure isn't listening to us now.

NORM COHEN

Linwood

Executive Director

Coalition for Peace and Justice

Letter published in Press of Atlantic City, December 1, 2005

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/opinion/letters/story/5735090p-5752381c.html