Use everything we can
To say that the definition of "peace" is "when aggressive evil is defeated," as Cal Thomas wrote in his Oct. 13th column, is a misnomer at best. In law, peace is defined as "the tranquility enjoyed by a political society internally, by the good order that reigns among its members, and by the good understanding it has with other nations."
One does not just "deserve" the Nobel for past works. The Nobel may also be given to a person who has the character, intelligence, resources and incentive to work toward peace. The Nobel committee, which gave the prize to President Obama, understood that his task in this difficult world is large, but it also understood that he has the incentive, power and intelligence to work toward peace.
This country has lived on the principal of "no" for 12 years. Let's be positive. Let's change it, and back the person who has the power to bring, not just an "absence of evil," but true peace. Let's use every thing we can.
Carolyn J. Lewis
Old Mission
Afraid of competition
The first economic principle of Republicans is "free market" -- from their Bible: "The Wealth of Nations," 1776, by Adam Smith.
Economic progress of any nation depends on open competition in the free-market. Today some Republicans go insanely wild opposing health care reform. Why? Because of competition! The option to choose health insurance based on competition among all possible insurers!
Now, one or two insurance companies have strangleholds on health insurance in most states, as companies set costs for coverage so high to protect huge profits. Any connection to "donations" from insurance companies to many politicians, including Democrat Max Baucus?
Grafton "Mac" Thomas
Northport
On your watch?
I ask you as a U.S. citizen, would you support a letter to our reps and senators in Congress asking them the following: Have you watched the National Parks film by Ken Burns? Anything inspire you? What will your legacy be?
Will it be on your watch when the Asian carp breach the "barrier" in Chicago? Will it be on your watch when some other foreign invader turns our Great Lakes into a wasteland? Why wasn't federal stimulus money used to finish the barrier in Chicago?
I understand our loss of power in Congress, but surely we can do a better job of joining our neighboring states to leverage our power. Eric Sharp in the Detroit Free Press has made the economic impact stark regarding continuing to sit on the sidelines vs. regulating what is allowed into the greatest freshwater resource in the world.
Money rules in your world.
Robert Hetrick
Mesick
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