Char Carpenter of Neligh said “We need good Internet service in rural Nebraska” (letter, Sept. 7). I agree. So does David Hahn, Democratic candidate for governor. He blasted the vote of a special broadband task force as damaging to the state.

Hahn said their actions could put this generation and future generations at a significant disadvantage. He believes it is a good move to pursue the one strategic advantage we have in this economy.

Gov. Dave Heineman, in contrast, simply wants to “look at the issue.”

Hahn has said he believes private and public sectors both would benefit by allowing public entry in Internet service for Nebraskans. As a rural Internet user, I know he’s right.

Hahn certainly seems to provide real leadership on an issue vital to Nebraska’s economic growth, while Heineman seems to prefer the wait-and-see approach.

Nancy Meyer, Cedar Bluffs

Contrasting views

The Cal Thomas column, “Defector warns of menace posed by Islam” (LJS, Aug 21) has certainly prompted much response, as evidenced by the continuing flow of letters to this newspaper. However, the many emotional appeals for “tolerance” of Islam in American society contrast “radically” with Islam’s own statements.

Islam’s tolerance for other religions? “Fight then against them till strife be at an end, and the religion be all of it Allah’s” (Koran 8:40); “He it is [Allah] Who sent His messenger [Muhammad] with the guidance and the religion of truth [Islam], that He may make it conqueror of all religion …” (Koran 61:9). Muhammad himself said, “I have been ordered [by Allah] to fight against the people until they testify that none has the right to be worshiped but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah’s Apostle” (Hadith 1:2:24). Will “moderate” Muslims renounce these teachings?

Islam apparently desires us all to be Muslims. And if we disagree? “Make war upon such of those to whom the Scriptures have been given [Jews and Christians] as believe not in Allah …” (Koran 9:29). How exactly are we to “interpret” such an order? I respectfully ask — just who is intolerant and extreme?

Allah and Muhammad obviously prefer conversion by the sword (or gun), as shown by the most recent kidnapping of journalists Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig. While numerous “politically correct” voices place the blame upon “extremists hijacking a peaceful religion and misinterpreting the Koran,” Islam clearly reveals itself as a “clear and present danger.”

Lyle Goodenkauf, Lincoln

Respect service people

Dec. 7, 1941. Sept. 11, 2001. Two days that will forever be etched into American history for two very distinct reasons. First, the disastrous loss of American lives at the hands of a diabolical enemy. Secondly, the rallying of the American people around our servicemen and servicewomen.

However, military support, like the shine on a new car, tends to fade with time. Within days of Sept. 11, 80 percent of cars showed some form of support for the U.S. military. Five years later, you would be hard pressed to find some form of encouragement for our service people.

I am by no means saying that you have to support President Bush’s ideas and policies. However, our men and women in uniform still deserve your respect. Many service people are serving until retirement regardless of whom the commander in chief is.

I am not only speaking from a personal soapbox here, but as a voice of experience as well.

I spent eight years as a member of the United States Navy. During that time, I experienced both ends of the spectrum. Just a few months after 9/11, I was transferring between duty stations and was traveling in uniform. The reception I received would have led one to believe that I had just killed Osama bin Laden in Times Square. On the flip side, not two years later I was again traveling in uniform and was looked at as if I had two heads.

I have also seen it while strolling around the UNL campus. Every Thursday, the university ROTC students wear the respective uniforms of the branch that they represent. I have seen numerous times where other students have looked in these individuals in disgust.

I am in no way expecting everyone to appreciate what I have to say. However, as a veteran and someone whose girlfriend lost a brother overseas in Afghanistan, I merely ask that we appreciate the sacrifices that the armed forces make every single day. They are the ones that are responsible for the freedoms that we as Americans enjoy day to day.

If you see one of my brothers-in-arms, just say “Thank You.” You never know how much that will make their day.

Frank Soukup, Lincoln

Left is harming U.S.

It brought the country together for about 30 days. The Democrats couldn’t wait to give the president everything he needed to fight these cowards.

Then the left and the American Civil Liberties Union got in kahoots and realized that if they continued to praise and help this Republican president, they would never regain power in Washington.

So what happened? The left made a movie blaming President Bush for being involved in 9/11. This was outrageous, but a lot of you believed it because you wanted it to be true.

I wrote a letter to the editor four years ago saying that the far left is hurting America more than the terrorists.

The terrorists haven’t hit us since ‘01. The left hits America every day.

We need politicians that will vote to kill terrorists, not blame America for upsetting them.

Wes Hager, Lincoln

Vote yes on initiative

The Sept. 7 Journal Star reported on a Legislative Fiscal Office study, on how the Stop Over-spending (SOS) initiative would affect the state budget process. Sen. DiAnna Schimek of Lincoln requested the study.

The study concluded that if SOS had been in effect over the past 10 years, state general fund spending would have been allowed to grow $652 million from $1.9 to $2.55 billion, including a $93 million increase next year. During Schimek’s time in office, state spending has actually risen a staggering 282 percent from only $886 million in 1988 to $3.2 billion next year.

Schimek specifically asked the fiscal office to skew the study by only looking at appropriations in the general fund budget and assigning any loss in state spending to aid to local governments, thus enabling her to use the property tax scare tactic. That is a false premise, since SOS does not dictate to the Legislature where or how to spend the state’s financial resources. SOS allows for healthy growth in state spending, increased by annual inflation and population rates.

Schimek and her fellow senators raised income and sales taxes in the 1990s, increased state aid to local schools and promised property tax relief. What Nebraskans actually got was a 55 percent increase in property taxes since 1998 and an overall tax burden rising to the sixth highest in the nation. 

Last May citizens refused to give Schimek a pay raise and in 2000 gave her the term limit pink slip for 2008. We can do nothing about the errors of the past, but on Nov. 7, with your yes vote for the “Initiative on Limiting the Growth of State Spending” we will start Nebraska on a path of limited government and lower taxes.

Mike Groene, North Platte

Chairman, Stop Over-Spending Ballot Committee

Think before you vote

About a month ago, I saw a news segment about our Congress and their many benefits. I wish everyone could have seen it.

The “starting” salary for members of Congress is $165,200. We already know about the unbelievable raises that they give themselves — quite often, but wait, it gets better! Some work as little as two days a week, some commute, but it does not seem that a 40-hour week is something any of them do very often.

What all taxpayers, especially those not in the top tax bracket, should be aware of is that the “average” number of days worked per year is 72 days! That is about $2,300 per day, and that is for the lowest salary!

Who do you think is paying for all this? The taxpayers, of course! The retirement for Congress is much better than most. Are you still with me?

I think there is something very wrong with this picture. We know that Congress did not approve the recent bill for an increase in the minimum wage.

What areas do they target when they need to cut down on spending? Not their raises or benefits, but they do give tax breaks to the wealthiest of taxpayers. Help for the uninsured, food, medicine, things that are the necessities of life — that they just cut!

These are a few of the things that I wish all citizens, whether they be low-income, middle-class, seniors or somewhere in between would keep in mind, when they go to vote in November.

We might have more equality in everything if we could have a Congress that is not all in that “special tax bracket.” I wish it were possible. The largest group of taxpayers are in the middle class. Think about it!

Beverly Irwin, Lincoln