A Congenial Letter to the President

By: C.E. Westphal

Dear Mr. President,

               I write you today, on the anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, with open hands, as a friend. As President of the US, my home, I think that I, a citizen, should approach you more like a manager at my work place or neighbor down the street rather than an opponent or even a political enemy. As such, because constructive criticism and intellectual discussion is the way to better relationships in this country as well as the world, and I know that I can accomplish an accord with you much better if I talk to you that way sir.
                I want to speak to you today in memory of what happened to our country because we all remember your declaration of war against terrorism sir, as clearly as we remember the collapse of the Twin Towers, so I want to tell you about my concerns. The chief item in this letter to you is the war against terrorism and how we can bring it to a successful conclusion. You know, of course, with how far things have gotten it is almost impossible to not see it through to the end, however the ends are most certainly up to discussion. In all truth, terrorism and the reasons for it must be eradicated so that all peoples, not just Americans, can live fruitful lives. Moreover, with Afghanistan and Iraq now both under US protection it would be insane to withdraw completely without establishing a powerful government that can keep terrorist, tyrannical, and imperial forces out of power for good. Let me talk about each one in turn.
               In reference to Afghanistan, I believe that Afghanis will be much less likely to assist al Qaeda or the Taliban if they can feed their families, live with reasonable comfort and security, and go about their lives assured that the international community isn’t just using Afghanistan for its resources like the Soviets were trying to do in the 80’s. To accomplish this we need to commit more than $2 billion a year to support President Karzai and his fledgling government. We need to build roads, airports, schools, and improve the overall infrastructure of the country. Of course,

More >>

New Terror Laws Used Vs. Common Criminals
By David B. Caruso, Associated Press Writer

PHILADELPHIA - In the two years since law enforcement agencies gained fresh powers to help them track down and punish terrorists, police and prosecutors have increasingly turned the force of the new laws not on al-Qaida cells but on people charged with common crimes.

The Justice Department (news - web sites) said it has used authority given to it by the USA Patriot Act to crack down on currency smugglers and seize money hidden overseas by alleged bookies, con artists and drug dealers.
                Federal prosecutors used the act in June to file a charge of "terrorism using a weapon of mass destruction" against a California man after a pipe bomb exploded in his lap, wounding him as he sat in his car. A North Carolina county prosecutor charged a man accused of running a methamphetamine lab with breaking a new state law barring

More >>