Open Forum

Nowhere have I seen any of the ban smoking crowd propose that government and those at the public trough give up their profits from the sale of tobacco, i.e., taxes. In fact, they propose programs "for the children" that are funded by taxes from the sale of tobacco. Seems the moral thing to do then is for everyone to buy lots and lots of tobacco products "for the children." If smoking is so evil and dangerous, then someone should have the integrity to propose an all-out ban on tobacco. Don't wag your self righteous finger in the public's face condemning smoking while accepting money from smoking in your outstretched hand behind your back. And then have the courage to ban the use and sale of sugar. All around us we can see the health problems caused from the consumption of sugar.

I just don't understand how many of the same politicians and do-gooders that think it's OK, laud even, a woman's "choice" to kill her unborn baby, would despise that same woman if she "chose" to smoke while pregnant. Go figure.

Oh, by the way, I've never smoked a cigarette or used any tobacco product in my life. I just don't believe it is the proper role of government to micro-manage the personal lives of the public.

Rod Damar

Brainerd

Vox Pop writers lacking in courage

Because of Mr. Doud's extensive study of the early Church Fathers, as well as his experience in several protestant denominations, he certainly knows the difference between what many protestant denominations teach, and what the Catholic Church teaches, regarding the Eucharist. That's why it's silly to try to win him back by pointing out that Christ isn't present in the "cracker and grape juice." He believes that Christ is present in the Eucharist, and that's why he's Catholic. This seems a very logical decision for someone who believes in the real presence and who loves Jesus Christ.

As for Mr. Doud's pride, he seemed pretty humble to me - a lot more humble than the Vox Pop writers who were attacking him, that's for sure.

I can see why a non-Catholic Christian might be ashamed to attack the most Holy Sacrament in the Catholic Church in public. I mean, the behavior would be a little un-Christian, not to mention cowardly, especially if it were done anonymously through the Vox Pop. Still, it seems that if you really believed what you were writing, you would have had the courage to sign your name. Perhaps these attacks were an attempt to preach to your own choir because you are afraid that Mr. Doud's conversion will encourage others to leave your denomination for the Catholic Church. However, you shouldn't hold your breath for any converts from Catholicism, because you certainly didn't win any points for ecumenism, not to mention that no one knows who you are because you didn't sign your name.

Nadine Schaefbauer

Brainerd

More money needed for veterans

Marine Jonathan Schulze's (suicide) death was totally uncalled for. Then to read this statement, "The VA is overwhelmed, we're going to see a lot of Jonathan's."

As a vet, I ask why? This president of ours, and his group don't blink an eye when asking for billions of dollars for his stupid war! Why can't this group of idiots finance the VA and take care of us vets? This case of suicide is unbelievable and outrageous! I guess when it comes to asking the Republicans for money (other than the war) the VA is at the bottom of the barrel! Speak up Vets, Legionnaires,VFW, AmVets, and all, let Bush and his group hear from all of us!

James Cummings

Nisswa

We're still ignoring Ike's advice

A recent report stated that some 37 million Americans are considered ""officially poor" and that more kids grow up poor here in poverty than in any other leading industrialized nation. The U.S. mayor's Task Force on Poverty, Work, and Opportunity recommended an investment of some $22 billion in early childhood education and billions more to re-tool public schools and modernize curricula. Of course a few reasons we do not have money for projects for our own people---- the profligate spending for making war, $12 billion a month just in the Middle East, and some $16.9 billion annually for maintaining existing and developing new nuclear weapons. Another horribly expensive boondoggle is the Air Force's F-22 project. The cost per plane is a staggering $325 million, this despite the fact that our F-15s and F-16s are state-of-the-art and exceed the capabilities of the F-22. Thankfully, according the The Defense Monitor, Dec. 2006, the original request for 750 F-22s is now down to 185. As we seek and find more "enemies" we will continue to pour money into the monstrous military-industrial-congressional maw while slashing social programs, closing libraries and ignoring our crumbling infrastructure. As the power and influence of defense contractors and the military grows, hopes for a fair and equitable society without war diminish. That we spend as much on the military as the rest of the world combined doesn't seem to bother most folks, indicating the success of Mr. Bush's fear-spreading tactics. President Eisenhower's warning as he left office was prescient but we continue to ignore it.

John Niedenfuer

Deerwood

Some confuse respect with support

"I support the troops but don't support the war."

I've come to realize that many people who say that phrase have the word "support" confused with "respect." To support our troops means that you would do anything here at home to help them get their job done. Encouraging the funds to provide tactical and logistical tools, as well as moral support.

To support them means that you support their mission that they have been trained for. To support them means that you validate them, and what they volunteered to do. They believe in the undertaking of their jobs, and feel as though they are sanctioned in their objective. If you support them,then please pray that The Lord will protect them, just as they are protecting you.

If you coincide with the "bring them home now" mentality, you demean and belittle those same soldiers that you claim to support.You also show them where your allegiances lie, and in their eyes and minds, it's not with them.

Lindsay Kautz

Brainerd