Defending our troops

I’m not sure where Sara Haney went to school, but her March 10 letter urging U.S. troops to come home is a great argument for sending her history and civics teachers — not U.S. soldiers — home.

We don’t expect the U.S. military to conquer Afghanistan. That has never been the intended goal. We are providing security and stability to the people and the government while eliminating insurgent threats.

Haney’s simplistic, liberal 1960s view of the world and the use of American military power is an example of the isolationism that allowed World War II to happen on the scale it did.

Butterflies and unicorns did not stop the 9/11 attacks, and they won’t protect us from Iranian nukes. When she says we have caused destruction “around the world,” she fails to mention the liberation of Europe (twice), much of Asia, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. The list of individual countries would fill this page.

Defending this nation and the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic, is our prime mission. Taking and holding real estate and blowing things, people and places up are how we do it. Because we do it so well, Haney can live in her make-believe world, free to whine and complain about how it’s done.

“No more war” is a fine sentiment. Let me know when the world runs out of Hitlers, Stalins, Maos and bin Ladens. Until then, that sentiment has all of the substance of a unicorn’s breath.

Alfred W. Evans,

retired 1SG, U.S. Army

Gatesville

Against toll roads

I am concerned about a proposal to relieve traffic on Interstate 35 that would extend state Highway 130, a toll road to Temple and possibly to Waco and Hillsboro.

If people can’t pay the toll to get to their jobs, will they not have jobs? If transportation officials use taxpayer money to build this road, then they shouldn’t charge us a toll to drive on it.

My sister and I recently were on a toll road, and we were the only cars. What a waste! There could have been more people traveling if it didn’t cost money.

We don’t need a toll road in Waco.

Ruth Palansky

Waco

Smart meters

How do the monthly bills on the smart meters compare to the same summer bills using the old meters?

Oncor Electric says the bills are high because of this winter’s cold spells, but what about the summer months when air conditioners runs constantly?

We don’t have the smart meter on our home as of yet, and I’m in no hurry to get it.

Sandra Runkle

Hewitt

Space heater costs

I wonder if any of the people who are having such high electric bills are using space heaters? Last year I used a small electric space heater, and my electric bill shot way up for that month.

Martha Ingram

Waco

Health care nonsense

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says health care reform should be passed so people can see what is in it.

That’s like buying an overpriced house without looking at it.

Frank Smith

Clifton