Advisors off course?
I agree with the war against Iraq. But as a former U.S. Marine Corps intelligence officer, having worked at the National Security Agency (NSA), the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) etc., I feel important blunders are being made. The first thing that should have been done is the Iraqi media (TV, radio, newspapers) should have all been totally put out of action. It is vital that we send our messages via their TV frequencies. The people are not surrendering en masse because Saddam still has the power of the media. Take that away, broadcast our messages, and Saddam would lose the advantage of communicating with his people. All communications in Iraq, be they military or civilian, should be taken out. This causes confusion, anxiety and fear when no one can talk directly to Iraqi leaders.
On the news we are being told that we have bypassed enemy fortifications and strongholds leaving tactical Iraqi units intact, which can regroup and attack us from behind or set traps for us. No strongholds or enemy units should be bypassed which leave our troops exposed from the rear. Allowing this to happen is going to cause many more American and allied casualties.
This is not like island hopping as we did in WWII where we left the Japanese isolated and they couldn’t swim 500 miles with their rifles and packs to sneak up on us. In Iraq we should mass bomb all strongholds to protect our forces front and back. The strongholds, which have been bypassed, can and will attack from behind. Why give them this opening? Our troops’ lives are at stake. It seems that common sense is not being used.
I do not know who is advising President Bush, but I would be proud to once again offer my services to my country to assist in any way I can.
I.C. Modrick
Marianna
Hardy leadership supported
Joe Hardy, candidate for county commissioner, is both artist and inventor. He takes raw material and either shapes it into something beautiful like Nemacolin Woodlands or something practical like 84 Lumber. In his artistry and invention, he has enhanced the beauty of a largely undeveloped property while simultaneously making it a practical business that has enriched Fayette County.
Long a site for drive-through tourism, Fayette County has now become a center of stopover tourism with an international reputation. Such a change, precipitated by the development of Mr. Hardy’s resort, has generated hundreds of direct jobs and numerous peripheral positions, all adding to the tax base of the county.
That Joe Hardy has decided to enter the race for commissioner is a boon for the county. His approach to problems is at once realistic and optimistic. If he were elected to office and did proportionally only half as much for the whole county as he has done for Uniontown and the region around Laurel Ridge, he would be a highly successful commissioner.
In developing his resort and business, Joe Hardy has helped awaken a sleeping giant once widely known for its human and natural resources and rich history. Reduced in the late 20th century by lost industry and jobs, Fayette County is ready to resume its role as a leading segment of the commonwealth. To reach its former status, the county needs a proven leader whose accomplishments include a nationally distributed business with international connections. Joe Hardy is that leader.
Donna Conte
Brownsville