American unity seems to be impossible Notwithstanding Abraham Lincoln’s unrequited and misplaced desire to unite a nation that did not want to be united by force or at the end of a bayonet, as then as now there is no United States of America and nor should there be in such a vast country occupied with peoples of decidedly different tastes and preferences.
The form of government should be treated as any other commodity. Accordingly, what is wrong with permitting those who would elect the Obamas or Clintons of the world have their form of government and let those who believe in free markets, individual ruggedness, philanthropy, hard work and limited government have theirs?
Clearly, both major parties would benefit without the “loyal opposition” and more closely reflect their constituents’ preferences. For example, if the constituents believe a 90 percent tax on the rich (however defined) will improve their quality of life or the economy overall, or believe that every dollar of food stamps spent stimulates $1.84 in the economy, separation is inevitable and warranted.
Gen. George Washington would demand no less.
David Mugan
Alexandria
The president does not honor American soldiers
Today I was incensed at the conclusion of a traditional Serbian-Orthodox funeral for my beloved 85-year-old uncle, Daniel Martich, who proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. During the committal service at a Pittsburgh cemetery, the local military detachment performed their ritual, then folded and presented the United States flag to my aunt.
As I’m sure you have witnessed during military funerals, a soldier bends to one knee and recites a scripted message to a surviving relative that begins, “On behalf of the president of the United States and a grateful nation, I wish to present you with this flag in appreciation for your husband’s service. …” However, today the dialogue was “On behalf of the secretary of defense and a grateful nation …” After the service I approached the soldier who presented the flag to my aunt to inquire about the change in language. His response was “The White House notified all military funeral service detachments to immediately remove ‘the president’ and insert ‘the secretary of defense.’ ”
I couldn’t believe what I heard and the soldier smiled and said, “You can draw your own conclusion sir but that was the order.” He, too, was ashamed of what he was required to say.
This president has taken off the gloves. My only response to this endless cesspool of anti-U.S. rhetoric dripping from his mouth is to borrow a phrase (with one minor change) uttered by another temporary Washington resident living in government housing: “Today for the first time in my adult life I was ashamed of my country.” I did not serve in the military but my love of country parallels that of people like my late uncle who bled red, white and blue. As a second-generation Serbian-American whose heritage produced many patriotic military men and women who fought for freedom both in the United States as well as in the former Yugoslavia (most recently in Kosovo against the slaughter of Serbs by Muslim extremists) I implore you to make the United States people aware of this little-known or, at least, publicly acknowledged fact.
John G. Martich
Falls Church
Planned Parenthood minority abortions
Re: “Planned Parenthood does not push abortion,” From Readers, Oct. 11
I don’t know how any clear-thinking person could assert that an organization that kills over 330,000 unborn babies — predominately black babies — annually “is one of our society’s most valuable organizations.”
One of Planned Parenthood’s primary goals is the elimination of black people dating back to the early 20th century and continuing until today. Their earlier weapon was contraception, which failed, but they are making progress by pushing abortion. Their attacks on blacks have resulted in the decline of stable two-parent black families to a 30 percent minority, leaving the other 70 percent at huge risk of poverty and vulnerable to abortion.
Mr. Doerr needs to review Planned Parenthood’s litigation record trying to deny women an informed choice before an abortion, their litigation and lobbying against protection for minorities in statutory rape situations and the testimony of reformed Planned Parenthood clinic directors to learn how PP promotes abortions.
Carolyn Naughton
Silver Spring
