Killing Breeds Hatred

Regardless of age, sex, occupation, religious or political affiliation, for every Iraqi killed or maimed by US forces, 50 new anti-Americans are created among families, friends, coworkers and sympathizers. With an estimate now passing 100,000 dead, this number could encompass one-third of the entire country’s population.

We have a war that is unwinnable militarily. The admonition is that our withdrawal now will lead to a civil war. This begs the question: What is the difference between a civil war and the current situation there? The death and destruction are the same. Since Americans will always be viewed at occupiers, what is to be gained by forfeiting unknown numbers of lives and more billions spent in a no-win situation?

As much as the Administration and its spinmeisters would have us believe otherwise, there is nothing in Iraq but sand and oil. We have plenty of the former and little of the latter. The greater need always wins out. —Bill Cox | Marina

Mr. and Mrs. Wrong

Single parents in the nation’s dating pools beware! The most commonly used description of our nation’s single men and women runs nearly parallel with the description of our nation’s sex offenders. With that in mind you may wish to ponder exactly how well you really know Mr. or Mrs. Right.

Studies in law enforcement and the department of corrections have shown that convicted sexual predators, once released back into society, commonly target single parents with children as their next victims. An alarmingly high percent of reported child molestation cases are perpetrated by these individuals.

There were over 183,000 registered sexual offenders in 1996 in our country, with that number increasing steadily up to date. There are many more that remain hidden within society. The identity of these registered men and women are public record. Information and profiles of pedophiles, names and pictures can be viewed online or at your local police department.

Many of these predators are sociopaths and easily come across as mild mannered, down to earth men and women. Cross checking your new partner is imperative in this day and age and after all, when we are dealing with our precious children it is always better to be safe than sorry. With this knowledge at hand can you now ask yourself if there is any chance your Mr. or Mrs. Right could be very…very wrong. —Cinamon McLemore | Seaside

Be Kind to Chickens

Bravo to the people protesting Kentucky Fried Chicken on Lighthouse Avenue! KFC is the biggest offender in abuse to chickens. All baby chickens are put through a process called debeaking where they have their beak sliced off with a hot blade. Most die of shock and pain. They are the lucky ones. It gets worse from there. Their lives are riddled with pain, confinement, and torture. They feel pain just as acutely as you do. Listen to people who know—help put an end to Kentucky Fried Chicken’s barbaric practices. At the very least don’t eat their tainted “chicken.” —Emily Dan | Monterey

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