TO THE EDITOR:

Lets see, we invaded Iraq because they had weapons of mass destruction and they were involved in 9-11. Both turned out false. Now Bush wants to contract with UAE-owned Dubai Ports World to operate a half-dozen U.S. ports.

Yet there is a history of UAE as an operational and financial base for the hijackers who attacked New York and Washington on September 11, 2001. Does this give you pause or do you agree that Bush has a right to violate the federal requirement that such agreements be investigated? Maybe if Bush had been a little more responsive and hadnít cut the budget for national security prior to 9-11, it could have been avoided. Maybe he shouldnít be allowed to sell off America to our countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Red China. Maybe it is time Americans ask Bush to step down from his throne.

Robert G. Walz
North Branch

Comment from Cynthia Nelson, 3/3/06

Mr. Walz,
I am writing to let you know that I am glad that you have the courage and have taken the time to comment and exercize your right to free speech. I have always agreed with you and I truly hope that America will wake up to some truths regarding President Bush and his leadership.
I was aghast to read some of the counter comments to your opinions back in August and September. I was amazed and dismayed at the anger and thinly veiled hostility. Some of them were of very long and lofty length, using more space than I thought would be allowed, in order to justify the war in Iraq. I wrote a comment myself regarding those written inuendo's against you...then asked that it not be printed. I guess I didn't want to stir up the pot anymore than it already was. I have found some people have a hard time hearing the truth, or at the very least, hearing something that requires them to re-think the way they perceive things to be. It is much easier to to find a way to discredit the messanger, label them a "trouble maker", call into question thier religous beliefs or lack of it, you get my drift...
I not only agree with you, I applaud you. Just for the sake of clarification, I want to add:
I do pray for our troops, support them, but in a different way then the Walz detractors. I am old enough to remember Viet Nam...and no, I did not fight in that war. I had family members in that war and many ancestors prior to that who fought for my freedoms that I have today.
Men who fought not only for our freedoms, but for the integrity, truth and honor of our nation.
So, Mr. Walz, I believe you are a man of integrity, truth and honor...keep up the good work...Iam reading every word.
Cynthia Nelson

Comment from Cynthia Nelson, 3/3/06