Strickland was right to resist settlement of refugees here

Strickland was right to resist settlement of refugees here
EDITOR:
State Sen. Kevin Coughlin of Cuyahoga Falls, a Republican, intends to ridicule Gov. Ted Strickland with a resolution that supports President Bush's plan to accept 7,000 Iraq refugees. Gov. Strickland was right when he first opposed bringing these refugees to Ohio.
The blame of this refugee problem belongs on Bush's shoulders. He promised these refugees a free election in Iraq. These refugees voted in Iraq and now are in America. This would not have happened if the "Decider" had not invaded Iraq. America's involvement in this war has inflicted more suffering on this nation and people then under the rule of Saddam Hussein and his brothers. Reading the newspaper or watching the evening news is proof of the decider's mistakes. Operation Iraqi Freedom has cost taxpayers billions of dollars, money wasted. Our heroes and families bear the burden of this war. It should be called Operation Shame.
Sen. Coughlin supports the decider's plan to bring 7,000 refugee to America and forgets about the sacrifice of our warriors and their families. The decider told our nation that we could win this war in Iraq with an all voluntary service. How many more refugees will we have to accept to prove America is winning this war in Iraq?
JOSEPH D. KUN Sr.
Youngstown
Resents lame-duck label
EDITOR:
In your recent "How We See It" article, you stated that Councilman Artis Gillam Sr. was a lame duck. When he was first elected but not formally sworn into office, he was answering calls from residents of the first ward. And will continue to answer until the end of his term.
Secondly, the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (which has five board meetings a year) may not be important to you, however, it addresses issues significant to black people. When life conditions get better for us, it will also be a better country. The National Black Caucus sets policies pertaining to inner-city people and African Americans. They take the policies to the National League of Cities board and the NLC disseminates these policies to the government. For example, the caucus is responsible for addressing predatory lending and re-entry to society for people leaving prison.
As for my tagging along with my husband, I pay a registration fee, airfare, and all other expenses. I find the NLC and the NBC/LEO sessions very enlightening and the information that we gather helps the First Ward and the city as a whole. We have been traveling as a family to Washington, D.C. for the past 30 years, therefore, when I go to the conference with my husband I do not need to tour the city.
ANNIE GILLAM
Youngstown
Sound of cooing from afar
EDITOR:
PETA applauds Columbiana County commissioners and Stevie Halverstadt for finding humane ways to deter pigeons from roosting on the Jacob Picking building and the courthouse in Lisbon ("Officials consider pigeon problem," 3/8/07).
Whether you're dealing with pigeons perching on buildings or mice munching in your cupboards, humane, non-lethal methods of deterring wildlife are always more effective than resorting to violence, because more animals will simply move in to fill the void left by those who were killed. It's simple to deter pigeons using netting, porcupine wire, frightening devices and other easily obtainable products.
STEPHANIE L. BOYLES, M.S.
Norfolk, Va.
The writer is works in the Domestic Animal and Wildlife Rescue & amp; Information Department of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.