Voice of the Mid-Columbia | Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Wash. |
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closeIn response to Mark Mansperger's In Focus in last week's Forum I have to respond with a sense of incredulity to both him and the Tri-City Herald. This is the second recent Forum page opinion that seems to spread incredible falsehoods about America's leadership and responsibilities towards the governments and people of the Middle East.
The first was a personal attack against former Vice President Dick Cheney. I met Dick Cheney at a Wyoming county Republican barbecue when I became a new county coroner and he was the state's representative to Congress. We talked about Boys' State because he went to that American Legion program in Wyoming as I did in Missouri during our high school years. I had the opportunity to listen and write to him over time and he is not an evil man. He is a long-serving member of our government who worked hard for the best interests of this country.
I respect an opinion from any person, but making statements that are patently false really ticks me off. My background is health care and management and I have served 20 years in the military, 10 years active duty, and in three conflicts: Vietnam, Bosnia and Iraq. I have studied the Muslim religion and culture since 1997 when I was sent to Bosnia and I talked with Muslims about their issues and history. I read more before going to Iraq and I talked with common citizens and upper-class physicians in Iraq.
First and foremost to Mr. Mansperger: we Americans are not responsible for the terrorist killings on Sept. 11, 2001. To say in any way that something our government, our country, did in the past that deserved such an atrocity is completely wrong and revisionist of our nation's history.
Second, Israel has made mistakes in dealing with the Palestinian people but the biggest cause of their suffering is from Muslims, their own leadership and the Muslim countries surrounding Palestine and Israel who treat the Palestinians as pariahs.
Third, the confinement of enemies captured on the battlefield is not addressed in our civil laws but in our military regulations. Maybe this system of handling people who try and do kill our Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen is not as efficient as it should be but there has been little precedent for handling terrorist combatants who don't come from the country they are captured in.
Fourth, the lack of civil rights for terrorists is not unique to the last eight years of our country's history. Everyone conveniently forgets the suspension of Habeas Corpus rights instituted by President Lincoln during the civil war. Does Mr. Mansperger know of "Inter arma silent leges?"
I know the U.S. made mistakes in Vietnam but the 50,000-plus cowards who fled to Canada could have made a significant impact in ending the war sooner had they stayed and stood up against being drafted. I know the U.S. made mistakes in Bosnia, especially by not getting involved sooner to save more lives from genocide. I know the U.S. made mistakes in Iraq by not being as prepared to "win" the peace as we were prepared to win the war.
But the goal of all of these conflicts was to bring order, peace and security … at least it was the goal of us on the ground.
It takes more words to dispel falsehoods than to spread the lies. A healthy debate on the issues that affect the direction and policy of our country is always worthwhile. Accusations without foundation do little more than polarize neighbors from one another.
* Zack Rinderer is a retired major of the Army Reserves and a Marine Corps staff sergeant. He has lived in Kennewick for 17 years and currently working as a nurse in home health.
Editorials are the consensus of the Tri-City Herald editorial board.
Editorial board members are Rufus Friday, publisher; Chris Sivula, editorial page editor; Ken Robertson, executive editor; Matt Taylor, contributing editor; Lori Lancaster, editorial writer; Shelly Norman, editorial writer and Jack Briggs, retired publisher
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