Blame flawed U.S. policies for troop deaths Re: “Attack on NATO convoy kills 17 in Afghanistan,” Oct. 30
Before these brave troops became more casualties in the seemingly endless war in Afghanistan, they were all sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, friends and colleagues.
It wasn’t the Taliban, but the United States’ grossly flawed foreign policies, strategies and tactics that slaughtered them on Oct. 29th and has permanently maimed all those who loved them.
Helen Logan-Tackett
Fullerton, Calif.
Reopened mill funded by donations, stimulus funds
Re: “Fresh life for Peirce Mill signals new day for Rock Creek,” Oct. 13
The National Park Service appreciates The Examiner’s coverage of the grand reopening of Peirce Mill. The Oct. 15 festival was a huge success, attracting scores of visitors who were able to see the mill in operation for the first time since 1993.
However, a few issues require clarification. Unfortunately, visitors cannot purchase flour ground at Peirce Mill for human consumption as the mill is not equipped to meet modern health codes. We are looking into selling mill visitors flour that is ground in the D.C. area as a souvenir.
The Friends of Peirce Mill did indeed raise just over $1 million to restore the millworks under the skilled guidance of millwrights Gus Kiorpes and John O’Rourke. However, approximately $2.7 million was funded directly through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Finally, Rock Creek Park encompasses nearly 3,000 acres in the District, more than the 80 acres mentioned, but we are fortunate to have help from groups like the Friends of Peirce Mill and the Rock Creek Conservancy.
We do hope that the article will encourage visitors to come back to Peirce Mill and to explore Rock Creek Park through the fall and winter, when the mill will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and to school groups Wednesday through Friday by appointment.
Tara Morrison
Superintendent, Rock Creek Park
Washington
Why whites identify with Herman Cain
Why the unexplainable popularity of Herman Cain among whites? He hasn’t won us over with his 9-9-9 plan yet, but we still like him and can see him as our next president.
Which of us has not had a black coach, teacher, sergeant, teammate, or best friend? Our housekeeper was essentially my second mother. She treated me fairly, if not always leniently, and instilled within me pride, satisfaction at a job well done, and respect for good honest work.
Besides our personal contacts, whites idolize black sports figures and entertainers. We have affection for those, like Cain, who have surmounted a history of slavery, discrimination, poverty, and social abuse to not only survive and flourish, but to use their talents to help improve life for the rest of us.
Charles Light
Phoenix, Ariz.
