A matter of words

I find it amazing, perplexing and downright confusing that as we face the biggest environmental disaster ever, fight two wars and battle a nasty recession, Joe Huth, of Moody, writes a June 25 letter to say he is concerned that President Barack Obama used the word “ass” when he said “whose ass to kick.”

He calls the word “infantile” and “bad.” I call it strong and clear.

Strange that when some are clamoring for our president to get tougher, someone feels compelled to become the word police and censure him for making an appropriate statement.

I trust our president will continue to find asses to kick on Wall Street, in the drilling world, in our inept Congress and wherever things are not right.

Kick on, Mr. President.

Nathan L. Stone

Waco

Setting it straight

Several key facts were omitted in the June 23 Trib editorial about the Gulf oil spill, “No shakedown.”

Before forking over the $20 billion for a compensation fund, BP was subjected to appalling rhetoric and threats from the president and his administration. This included, “We will keep our boot on the neck of BP.” President Barack Obama even wanted to know “whose ass to kick.”

Those words are hardly civil, businesslike or meant in good faith.

Ace Closs

Waco

The ‘forgotten war’

My appreciation to Clyde Koehne for his Saturday column, “The forgotten war,” which recalled the start of the Korean War 60 years ago.

I was in Koehne’s first class of American history in the newly formed McLennan Community College. He was the best instructor in my education history. He certainly knew his subject matter and had the knack for conveying the data and maintaining the attention of his students.

Despite all that I learned from him, I never knew of his service in the Korean War (which was called the Korean “police action” during the conflict).

If anyone thirsts for our country’s history, Koehne is the guy from whom to learn.

Kirby Pope

Waco

Gushing oil

If any country or company has the technology to plug or repair the oil gushing into the Gulf, could they please share it with us right now?

Let’s not quibble over costs. Can’t we just encourage the federal government to find any technology to get it plugged or repaired?

I cannot believe we are letting this disaster go on this long. This is the biggest disaster we have let loose on the planet (partially because of the previous administration’s lack of environmental regulations), and we are worrying about things like cleanup costs? It won’t matter if we destroy our planet.

Joan Sanger

Waco

Our representative

“Representative” means a person who represents us, like U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards did on issues regarding the Waco Veterans Affairs Administration, and Baylor and the Big 12.

I appreciate his representation of our veterans and our jobs.

Kyle Triplett

Waco