Facts are facts, even at time of war

Righteous causes justify military campaigns based on lies? And revelations are a justification for political spin rather than shame? Crusades?

General Eisenhower was part of a war effort that meant preventing Germany’s reaching great power status and dominating Europe and Japan’s controlling China, the Far East and a large part of the Pacific. The British were lesser partners in this.

The main factor in defeating Germany, the Soviet Union, was fighting for survival, as Germany wanted to end the Versailles Treaty and colonize European Russia. Conventional and ignorant wisdom may view the war as having been “won” by the Western Allies, but the great battles were fought in the East.

Since the Second World War, we have seen the results in exposed lies and wasted money regarding the Domino Theory, the War on Terror in Afghanistan (Gore Vidal stated clearly that it was related to the instability of that country and the proximity of central Asian states with ample hydrocarbon resources and that Europeans were well aware of this) and the results of the weapons of mass destruction hoax which have made life a true hell for Iraqis and caused widespread destruction in their country.

Is this what “crusades” are supposed to lead to? And clear cases of torture euphemistically called “harsh interrogation”? Facts are facts, regardless of how disagreeable they may be, and blaming their appearance in the media on a particular political party merely serves to underscore the sorry political state of this country and the lack of knowledge and honesty in the face of pigheaded partisanship.

— Richard Nash Creel

Salisbury

Unfair to McCrory

The story on a legal stock payout to Governor McCrory is a new all-time low and smacks of biased reporting by the Associated Press and its continued vendetta against the governor.

The headline and questionable sources seek to raise questions about the governor’s integrity for his acceptance of money for work rendered before he was elected. The stock payout is 100 percent legal and acceptable per company policy.

The media and some Democrats continue to link many decisions made by this administration to the governor’s long-time employment with Duke Energy. Again, the insinuations are unfair and often a desperate attempt to make news. Carrying out this faulty line of reasoning would mean that to be elected governor, a person should have been unemployed or on welfare. Then they would have no possible conflict of interest!

There are many misleading and inaccurate statements in the attack on the governor. The writer tried to connect the legal payment for service rendered as a director prior to his election to his appointment of the commissioner of banks. That is pure fantasy. In fact, Governor McCrory reappointed the commissioner who was named by former Governor Perdue, a Democrat!

I learned to know Governor McCrory when we served as trustees at Catawba College, where we both graduated. I have never known a more honest individual, inside or outside politics. Those who continue to smear his good name and to question his motives in misleading and downright inaccurate information will find that the electorate is smarter than they are often given credit for.

This is another excellent example of why more and more honest and capable individuals refuse to run for public office. In fact, I have often remarked that I would be unable to seek public office again because I tried to cheat at marbles when I was 7 years old but lost anyway.

— Phil Kirk

Raleigh

Be bike-friendly

It was heart-warming and inspiring to see Gerry Wood Auto and the Salisbury Police Department team up to gift bicycles to dozens of children this holiday season (‘Bicycle Deliveries’ 24 December 2014).  I can’t think of a more fun or efficient means of transportation on the planet.

Wouldn’t it just be wonderful if the city of Salisbury were safer for bicyclists? The sad fact of the matter is that there are too few streets in Salisbury that are bicycle-friendly and I can’t think of a single bike lane.

At every opportunity we need to intentionally make our community safer for bicycling as both a mode of transportation and as recreation. Having multiple choices for people of all ages to safely get around can improve the quality of life for everyone in our community.

— Alfred Wilson

Salisbury

Proud American

I am proud to be an American. My country ‘tis of the, sweet land of liberty, home of the brave, from sea to shining sea.

I am proud to be an American. I am a citizen with inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and represented by a government “of the people, by the people and for the people, that shall not perish from this earth.”

I am proud to be an American. My country has a flag, Old Glory, stars and stripes, hope of the world, gleaming in the twilight, from dawn to dusk, in furled pursuit of a “more perfect union,” where my heart with rapture fills.

I am proud to be an American. “God sheds his grace on three, and crowns thy good with brotherhood,” and His truth forever marches on.

I am proud to be an American. “Glory, glory, hallelujah,” for my son is an American soldier who would die for his country to make men free, from the mountains, prairies, deserts and to the sea.

God bless America, “my home sweet home,” for I am proud to be an American!

— Ricky James Mazza

Salisbury

Check geography

Re: Salisbury Symphony Big Band Bash.

Might want to rethink the menu. Rick’s Café Américain in the movie “Casablanca” is located in Morocco, not Istanbul, Turkey.

— Mike Cline

Salisbury