Letters, 7/27: Cease-fire is only answer

Do the president and Congress never learn?

Look what the invasion of Iraq has brought the Middle East. Broken infrastructure, a power vacuum that has fulfilled George Bush’s “prophecy” of al-Qaida in Iraq (wasn’t there prior to the invasion) and the real possibility of prolonging American troops being stationed and dying in Iraq indefinitely. It has also increased the Iranian Shiite power in the area.

Now Israel, with the complete backing of the president, is trying to eradicate Hezbollah from southern Lebanon. You’d think the Israelis would at least learn from our mistake.

We should back nothing but an immediate cease-fire in the Israeli-Lebanon military conflict.

Tim Oehlerking, Lincoln

Destabilizing Palestinians

Thank you for your coverage of the Middle East. Never has your provision of accurate and complete news and information been so important.

Our government’s support of Israel’s killing and destruction in Lebanon, its constant finger pointing at Iran and Syria, and the pro-Israel, pro-war resolutions in the House and Senate supported by both Democrats and Republicans all make it clear that we are about to start yet another war.

This is what the administration seems to have wanted all along, of course. Instead of intervening diplomatically, financially and physically to stop the fighting and to promote economic and social development in Palestine, the U.S. administration has worked to destabilize the democratically elected Palestinian government.

It has now succeeded in enticing the weak Israeli government to overreact to extremist actions effectively provoked by the U.S.’s aggressive actions in Iraq and its constant threatening rhetoric toward Iran, Syria and other alleged evil enemies. Meanwhile, the U.S. obstructs any and all progress toward true peace by obstructing international cooperation and consensus.

Now Newt Gingrich and the right-wing propaganda machine claim we are already in World War III, so we might as well pick sides and get on with the fighting.

Isn’t it clear to Americans that the warmongers in the Bush administration are using the crisis they themselves created to line up support for a war against Iran and Islam that no one really wants?

Your continued coverage of the Middle East will hopefully lead more Americans to ask why war and aggression are all that is left of our foreign policy.

Hendrik Van den Berg, Lincoln

Why not endorse both?

It was shocking news to see that Nebraska Right to Life endorsed Ben Nelson over Pete Ricketts … as Pete Ricketts has a total pro-life stance. Why not endorse both of them?

Nebraska Republicans have been faithfully pro-life, whereas the Democrats are usually pro-choice.

I have lost faith in Nebraska Right to Life.

Bernice Fahlberg, Lincoln

Thanks to Fortenberry

It seems like people only write about politicians when they have something negative to say. Let me be an exception by saying thank you to Congressman Jeff Fortenberry for his work to strengthen small business opportunities. 

Last year, Fortenberry was able to bring the House Small Business Committee to Lincoln for a field hearing on health-care costs. More than 200 people, mostly interested small-business owners, had the chance to engage members of Congress on this crucial matter.

Later in the year, Congressman Fortenberry introduced legislation to help make it easier for small businesses to control health care costs. He also sponsored legislation to make it easier for small businesses to access capital. 

I think we are fortunate to have a young, professional leader in Congress who has shown a commitment to the heart of Nebraska’s economy, small business.

Lisa Marks, Lincoln