Flogging the truth

Senator Feinstein released that report [about the enhanced interrogation by the CIA], even though the Secretary of State tried to dissuade her from releasing it when she did. Some very senior retired military officers and former top CIA people have said the report could hamper our future intelligence efforts, endanger our operatives in the field and even cost lives.

We can thank all the agencies involved in keeping us safe since 9/11. We have had three failures, and missions have succeeded. The shoe bomber got his bomb aboard the plane. We are fortunate that it didn’t detonate. The underwear bomber got his bomb aboard the plane and we are fortunate that it did little damage. The Boston Marathon bombers achieved complete success.

The subject of the Geneva Convention was mentioned in a letter to you. The Geneva Convention resulted in an agreement by the countries that signed it, that they would conform to certain standards in the conduct of war. Specifically relating to military personnel captured in combat while wearing their country’s uniform.

If you were captured not wearing the uniform, you could be classed as a spy and would not have the protection of the Geneva Convention.

The hijackers had no uniforms; they did not represent a specific country. They walked aboard the planes in civilian attire, using tickets they had bought. When the planes were in the air, they attacked the crews. They didn’t even give them a chance to live. They killed them by cutting their throats with box cutters. They then took over the planes and flew them directly into buildings. The Twin Towers, the Pentagon and fortunately the passengers rebelled and caused the last plane to crash in Pennsylvania, before it could reach its target. No hijackers survived, so we couldn’t get to them. The people who planned and put the operation in effect, did survive. We did get some of them and thanks to the efforts of our interrogators, we did get some valuable information. Those people did not come under the protection of the Geneva Convention.

Charles G. Avery, U. S. Navy, Retired

The dinner rush

I would like to nominate a driver for Dine-In Marin as a big, fat dangerous zero. On the night of Dec. 19, while getting on the freeway on-ramp northbound 101, Sir Francis Drake, the driver tried to pass me on the right, almost hit another car in front of him, then when he was again behind me, he passed on the left across two lanes to pass me and then back to the right number-four lane, again, almost hit me and another car in front of him. Great, just what we need. I guess getting food to customers is more important than the accident almost caused and accidents caused to the people of Marin.

Ron Essrig, San Rafael

Holidays: the final word

Some go for chocolate, savory and divine,

Some go for whisky, tequila and lime.

Some prefer turkey and some prefer ham,

Some prefer stuffing with strawberry jam.

Some want the morning to come rather quick,

Enthused for their bounty from good ole’ St. Nick.

Some want their stockings to brim with delight,

While some just want warmth on a cold winter’s night.

Some want their presents up under the tree,

While some just want time spent with their family.

Some dream of sunshine while some dream of snow,

Some want the rays of a cool winter’s glow.

Some long for families with whom they can dine,

While some wish to relax alone with their wine.

Some prefer strudels and some prefer cake,

Some prefer pies that entrance when they’re baked.

Some want the cookies while some want the joy,

Some want the eggnog and some want the toys.

Some want an excuse to go have a ball …

Some want the memories, but I want it ALL!

Happy New Year! May you have a beautiful holiday with your loved ones, and may your smiles be filled with the sun, moon and stars.

Scott Harris, Marin

Hmm, this gives us an idea for our next ‘Pac Sun’ readers’ poll

On Sunday, Dec. 21, I heard a radio speaker tell about a recent debate in which he had been invited to participate. The subject of debate was the new hot topic in the changing of American moral values. There were five people in the debate and the speaker I was hearing was the only one standing for traditional values while the other four were on the side of change and the acceptance of “new standards.”

The new hot topic was: “Should consensual adult incest be legalized?”

A few years ago, in my annual practice of reading through the Bible, I noted all scriptures that refer to human sexuality. Of all the forbidden acts mentioned, there were more laws against incest than any other sexual sin. Of all sexual sins, incest is the most destructive to the family and to society.

If consensual incest between adults becomes acceptable it will increase incest involving all ages. At present, incest between two consenting minors may get them in trouble with their families, but there is no legal action that can be taken unless there is a two-year gap between their ages. Then the older consenter can be charged with molestation.

At present, we have government-supported groups such as Planned Parenthood, who openly encourage young people of all ages to experiment with various types of sexual activities. With whom is it easier to experiment than those in your own household?

Recently, my wife participated in local grand jury hearings. The hearings were to determine whether or not there was enough evidence to bring the cases to trial. All of the cases involved adult molestation of juveniles. Some involved incest.

History teaches that the stability of society depends on the stability of the family. Acceptable incest would lead to the total destruction of the family. History has also taught us that the moral decay of a society only stops in one of two ways: There is either a moral revival or that society totally collapses.

Steve Casey, Sonoma

They did their jobs—bravo!

The Marin County Board of Supervisors approved the Draft Housing Element on Dec. 9, identifying development sites for 378 new units of affordable housing. Although this is less than half of the 791 approved in the previous Housing Element, still it’s a good start, and the Board of Supervisors should be thanked for doing the right thing. It is remarkable that the issue aroused such controversy, given the obvious need for such housing. Perhaps the controversy will now pass, and Marin can begin to take steps to one day becoming an affordable, livable and, if it’s not too much to hope for, a more economically and ethnically diverse community.

Roger Stoll, San Rafael