All Americans have right to voice their concerns

All Americans have right to voice their concerns
EDITOR:
During a time of war or national trage dy there is a high surge of emotionalism. This is normal. However, beneath this feeling lies a hidden danger -- a tendency of people to want to stifle those whose views differ from theirs or the majority, to want to curtail freedom of expression in the name of patriotism or religion.
This must not happen. You may not agree with U.S. Rep. Jim Traficant, Father Witt or any other writer, but you must not deny them the right to voice their views. Sometimes it is the lone dissenting voice that speaks the truth. Silencing this voice will only lead to the loss of our other freedoms.
So use our freedom of speech to agree or disagree, but also use it to listen to other points of view without becoming hostile or demanding an apology. Listening does not mean you agree with what is said but that you are mature enough to know that there are two sides to a story.
ANNE PALIK
Youngstown
U.S. shouldn't be giving aid to Afghanistan
EDITOR:
Why are we giving aid to Afghanistan?
In May, Secretary of State Colin Powell announced sending an additional $43 million: 65,000 tons of wheat, health programs, shelter, etc.
That means the Taliban doesn't have to spend money on its people. It could buy more important things like guns, bombs and pilot training in the United States.
It could be said the aid will go to the poor people, but two young Americans who volunteered to provide food assistance there who are now in jail. As to aid for the poor, our own Better Business Bureau can verify some American charities give 10 percent of the aid for the needy, but keep 90 percent for "administrative" purposes. What percent will the Taliban keep for itself?
Since we are so free with our money, why not make a deal with the Taliban: we pay them and they don't bother us? However, those of us old enough to remember will recall a man called Chamberlain from England who made a deal with Hitler. What a surprise he received when Hitler invaded Poland.
EDWARD W. VERBA
Campbell
Why should U.S. worry about rest of the world?
EDITOR:
All Americans should ask the people we elect to run our country, "Why are these terrorists targeting the U.S.A.?"
They have bombed our military barracks, embassies, ships in foreign countries and waters and now on our soil.
If the answer is our foreign policies, I suggest we change these policies or change the people we elect to make them. Our leaders feel it is our duty to protect foreign governments with our young people, aircraft carriers, battleships and destroyers.
After Sept. 11, we should be content to protect our own, with no exceptions.
We should keep our nose out of everyone else's business, as we would not tolerate any interference in ours.
These terrorists seem to be leaving most of the world alone.
DAVID P. GAIBIS
New Castle
Cuyahoga judge was right
EDITOR:
This letter concerns the editorial about former Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Patricia Cleary and her decision to jail a woman if she obtained an abortion. Perhaps we should ask that child if the judge made the right decision. Another baby slips through the fingers of the abortion doctor.
NELL HIGGINS
Hubbard