Columbus started wheels in motion that led to U.S.

Columbus started wheels in motion that led to U.S.
EDITOR:
On this Oct. 12 we commemorate Christopher Columbus's achievement of discovering the New World while seeking an Atlantic route to the East Indies. Columbus Day also should be a time to ponder all the diverse and amazing results of the fateful decision to sail west in order to go east! The most consequential result: the creation almost 300 years later that gave us the United States of America!
Christopher Columbus was one of the most courageous navigators of his time who, not afraid of the unknown, took a great chance in order to fulfill his dream. By taking a direct sea passage without knowing how long the journey would take, he ended up in establishing a passage to a new continent. His arrival to the West Indies helped develop contact between Europe and the Western Hemisphere. His discovery made it possible for other navigators to follow him. Also, Columbus discovered the best eastward passages back to Europe. Later, Columbus made three more voyages to America to establish settlements each time.
Columbus's discoveries started the explorations that changed the world. As a seaman, he was one of the greatest in history and his discoveries are among history's most important events. He is remembered as a great hero because he opened the doors to the unknown with his courage, strength and faith in God!
VINCENT J. DORIA
Boardman
From environmentalist's view, war is a waste
EDITOR:
Assuming that pollution has even become a consideration of today's military, it may be difficult for them to recognize they have become the big time polluters that they are.
Compare what was considered the saturation bombing for three days of Dresden, Germany, in World War II by the United States and Britain and with the 42-day bombing in Afghanistan until just the fall of Kabul.
We have heard estimates of the cost to invade Iraq ranging from $93 billion to $200 billion. To me it is an unthinkable dissipation of the world's resources.
But what has not even been addressed is what the world can least afford, the massive pollution, not only the nitrates, phosphates and other pollutants from the explosives, but the simultaneous deficit spending of the non-renewable resources in fuel for the planes, tanks, ships and other military equipment on both sides. All this includes greenhouse gases with resulting global temperature changes. The last I heard the government now acknowledges this.
This would constitute a "war against humanity" The latter are trigger words for response by the International Court. As part of that humanity, it would seem to put us in the position of shooting ourselves in the foot.
I believe it was theologian Paul Tillich who said, "the ultimate concern becomes the God." Others have said "the priority becomes the God." Albert Einstein observed in his time that, "too often what serves us becomes or is used as the truth."
Nations that would be "under God" must define their priorities very carefully.
The easy part was demonizing Saddam Hussein. We must be a little careful when we talk about his willingness to use biological warfare. Some of us remember the senior Bush declared a full embargo when the Gulf War started, including no food, no medical supplies and no humanitarian aid. A letter published in The Vindicator Sept. 19, 1990, made the case. The association of serious malnutrition with vulnerability to even common diseases became biological warfare that we waged against Iraq with epidemic dimensions.
Are we about to be baited into a war against humanity? Who is in charge here?
NORMAN D. DUNCAN
Vienna