On the Bachmann Overexposure Syndrome front we can see a serious downturn in the level of interest as each letter achieved fewer than 100 comments each from story chatters. If this trend continues even the hint of Bachmann will send readers and chatters into a mind numbing coma that they may never recover from. The St. Cloud Times needs to think long and hard about the consequences of their decisions. It seems that the mere mention of Bachmann repulses readers to even the hottest topics of our time, the Iraq War.
Here are the two letters in question:
Letter: Iraq war, bankrupting our nation, must stop at once
By Eunice Antony, OSB, St. Joseph
Published: August 25. 2007 12:30AMI am a constituent of Minnesota from the U.S. House's 6th District and a member of both Pax Christi and Benedictines for Peace.
I am dismayed and concerned at Sen. Norm Coleman and Rep. Michele Bachmann's continued support of the immoral and failed Iraq war.
I believe that this war bankrupts us as a nation — financially, spiritually and morally. It is tarnishing America's reputation on a global level.
It is time that we support our troops by bringing them home and ending this unjust and devastating war.
Iraq Summer organizers are asking Americans across the nations to "Take A Stand!" on Tuesday and request that members of Congress vote to bring a safe end to the war.
Fifty-two town meetings are being organized throughout Minnesota on Tuesday, immediately before Congress reconvenes. There will be once such meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Cascade Room of Atwood Center at St. Cloud State University.
Along with speakers and engaging dialogue, those present at this event will ask Bachmann to "Take A Stand!" and vote to end the war.
Silence speaks consent. I cannot be silent.
*It is interesting how quickly the right will throw religious folks under the bus when they advocate religious ideals of peace and social justice. Check it out:
7.
Len H from St. Cloud
Comment Posted: 8/25/2007 2:52:40 AM
“I am a constituent of Minnesota from the U.S. House's 6th District and a member of both Pax Christi and Benedictines for Peace.”So what? That just means if you’re mugged, instead of fighting back, you blame society for repressing the “Poor Soul”. If he happens to cut you, you’ll complain that he could not afford a sharp knife. I truly pity you, and hope you find happiness one day.
Those of you on the Left have such a defeatist attitude. It must take all your strength just to get through the day without slitting your wrists! What an absolutely depressing existence.
The other Letter:
Letter: Beyond local tragedies, look further — to Iraq war
By Myrna Ohmann, Clearwater
Published: August 25. 2007 12:30AMAugust has been a difficult month locally. It seems there's one disaster after another, some caused by human error, others by nature.
While we need to support those affected by the local disasters, we can't forget the larger disaster — our occupation of Iraq.
There have been some frightening bits of information disclosed recently about that whole fiasco.
The increased suicide rate among active duty military personnel was reported by the Times to be the highest in 26 years. Every bit as disturbing is a May survey by the U.S. Army Medical Command which found that only 47 percent of soldiers and 38 percent of Marines think that civilians should be treated with dignity and respect.
Psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton refers to this as an "atrocity-producing situation" — this being the occupation of Iraq.
What are we doing to our young people by putting them in this untenable, unwinnable situation over and over again? How will this affect them and their families for the rest of their lives — the ones who manage to live through it?
This is the war that Sen. Norm Coleman and Rep. Michele Bachmann support. Is that the kind of leadership we want?
Minnesotans have shown tremendous courage and compassion in the face of the bridge collapse and the flooding.
Perhaps we can show the same compassion toward our military personnel and raise our voices to bring them home.
Martin Luther King once said that our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
I ask each reader: Does this matter to you?
