It is encouraging to read letters like “A different view” and “more tolerance” in the July 8th edition, regarding the Washington, D.C., ADIZ. I couldn’t agree more. The entire “Patriot Act” should be repealed. It is a most egregious and dangerous step toward a Fascist government. It was all prepared before Sept. 11, and rushed through in a fit of panic. Now we are all scared stiff over the “terrorist threat.” Does anybody wonder why other countries that are not trying to rule the whole world are not under any terrorist threats? We have armed forces in more than 120 bases around the world. Do our soldiers there have guns? (Yes!) Are they loaded? (Yes!) End of argument.
The way to eliminate the terrorist threat is to remove our soldiers from their countries. “SOS” (save our soldiers). I postulate that if our government would set a time of 30 or 60 days for complete withdrawal, no “token forces,” just leave, all hostilities would cease. All threats of terrorism would evaporate. It is time we quit imperialism and declared peace and world democracy. Each country rules itself, some other dictators might be replaced.
Ed Hemmingson
Albany, Ore