Transit riders cannot depend on Metro officials Re: “Metro meltdown strands hundreds,” Dec. 21
Regarding the Metro train snafu which stranded hundreds on Tuesday, it is hard to believe that many on those smoky trains did not take into account the obvious incompetence of the Metro administration and abandon the trains for the tunnel walkways to get to a station only 500 paces away.
If I were on such a train, I’d have opened a door between the cars and bolted. And yes, I would have avoided the third rail. Duh!
I’d have also offered assistance to any ladies or the infirm who also shared a most justifiable skepticism of Metro officials’ judgment to handle the problem. A bloated bureaucracy that can’t keep the escalators running clearly can’t be trusted to handle a train stranded by a part falling off.
It’s sad, but true that Metro riders should be prepared to look out for themselves.
Howard Segermark
Washington
Waging war for ‘democracy’ in Iraq was major mistake
Re: “Why won’t Obama say ‘Victory’ to mark the end of Iraq war?” Editorial, Dec. 16
It is apparent that The Examiner’s editors have never served in combat or know what it takes to be victorious in battle. Victory is not achieved by winning on the battlefield alone, but also entails winning politically, setting solid foreign policies and having both diplomatic and military success.
As one who fought and saw how we engaged that war, it was by no means a victory. In fact, we failed in Iraq.
While the men and women who died in the process of establishing a hollow democracy in Iraq gave the ultimate sacrifice to see a nation surge from oppression, our political leaders once again lost the “victory”. Iraqi “democracy” will soon vanish, since our enemies are now in government positions. The same people we liberated are now the ruthless ones who will target America.
To claim victory would be a mistake and a flawed definition of events on the ground. Instead, this has been a blunder followed by a questionable retreat. As a Republican, I find it hard to swallow, but this was one decision that was wrong and a big mistake for this nation.
Mario Caraballo
Alexandria
Regulations will produce more bankers like Mr. Potter
Re: “Job creators fight back,” Dec. 14
I recently watched the Christmas classic “It’s A Wonderful Life,” and pondered about how people view the villainous Henry Potter, a shrewd, wealthy banker who preys upon those at the bottom of the income scale. He applies strict lending standards and isn’t forgiving when clients struggle. In contrast, George Bailey grants people loans with a sense of charity.
It’s easy to liken Potter to those calling for an end to the risky lending practiced by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and liken Bailey to those who don’t. However, this comparison omits a very important point.
Bailey’s clients loved him. They had a personal relationship with him, one that more likely stems from dealing with a small community bank as opposed to big impersonal bank. They made every effort to make their payments, unlike borrowers of the subprime crisis who are now claiming themselves victims of predatory lending.
This relates to Stossel’s piece because John Allison, BB&T’s founder, claims he couldn’t start his bank today under current regulations, adding that small banks can’t compete. Allison does not strike me as a Potter, but his point signals that current regulations will produce more Potters and fewer George Baileys.
Brian Wrenn
Washington
