Protecting heroes

Re: “Time to reform military benefits,” Walter Pincus, Other Views, Aug. 5:

My anger summarizes what I felt about this commentary.

It reflected poorly on those nonserving Americans who have no clue as to the 24/7 service of the military. When there is talk of cutting 1 percent of cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for military retirees, a response is essential. COLA never keeps up with food and gasoline price increases.

San Antonio is a military town. Everyone understands that military heroes of WWII kept us from speaking German and Japanese in a divided and conquered America.

If the president and Congress continue in lethargy, degrading our military capabilities, they should buy just a few F-16s for the Air Force. Then add a 1 percent sales tax, with 2 percent for luxury items, in all 50 states for one year. It is a win-win. We will be protecting the retired military, which protected America, from politicians and clueless newspaper columnists.

James Eberwine, retired, U.S. Air Force


Defending Perry

Re: “Perry vows to battle charges,” Front Page, Monday:

Never thought I'd defend Gov. Oops, but in my mind he was trying to preserve the respect due Texas district attorneys and to conduct state business in a proper manner.

Travis County DA Rosemary Lehmberg has absolutely no business remaining in office after having spent a significant number of days in jail for DWI. She and her office almost certainly have been the laughingstock among the accused and the defense counsels in Travis County.

It is entirely possible that Gov. Rick Perry had no immediate and completely legal means to force her resignation, but to fund a Public Integrity Unit under her control is a joke, and the funding of such a unit should have been blocked by a responsible government.

Roy Huff


Reverse rebellion

“Both Perry, Cruz crop up among activists at grass-roots gathering,” Front Page, Aug. 9:

So Rick Perry and Ted Cruz think a little rebellion is in order?

The Republicans' “Let 'em eat cake” philosophy will lead to a rebellion, all right.

Only it won't be the kind they have in mind.

Christine Crowley


Porous border

The border problem is hardly what it appears to be.

It is a divide between two vastly distinct societies: a medieval morass of feudal authoritarianism to the south, a modern democracy to the north. What was thrown out hundreds of years ago in Europe has taken root in Central and, to a lesser extent, South America. People are fleeing for their lives and well-being, including children.

Americans are naïve; we've maintained porous borders with Mexico for decades, under both Republican and Democratic presidential administrations. For as long as our Congress and president are in gridlock over the problem, the status quo will continue. Latino drug gangs make money transporting people, including children, to the U.S.

We continue to admit them while we curse and ruffle our feathers about a system that doesn't work, punctuated by accusations against political parties and bureaucracies.

While we may be laughing at our dysfunctional neighbors to the south, the gangs that deliver undocumented aliens to our doorstep are laughing all the way to the bank, a classic example of the tail wagging the dog.

Jamie Blount


Intrusive officials

Abortions are for a woman to decide, not five conservative male justices in the Supreme Court. A woman's decision to have an abortion has nothing to do with religious extremists and anti-abortionists — or with Republican and tea party politicians.

A woman's personal decision to have an abortion should not be compromised by the likes of Texas Republicans such as Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Ted Cruz. Nor should it be undermined by Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan. And it's certainly no business of Rep. Michelle Bachmann, R-Minn., or tea party spokeswoman Sarah Palin.

Why do Republican demagogues feel they have to stick their noses in a woman's life?

Ron Lowe, Harlingen


Kicking Nixon

Re: “Nixon's arrogance was unrepentant,” Harry Rosenfeld, Another View, Aug. 8:

I read with some amusement the silly diatribe by Albany, New York, columnist Harry Rosenfeld, whining about Richard Nixon and his presidency. With all that's going on with this current bunch of left-wing wealth redistributionists infecting the White House, he finds time to rail about Nixon over an incident from 40 years ago involving one big political party spying on another.

He further posits that somehow Nixon wasn't punished enough, stating that “Nixon survived his epic disgrace ... He never lacked for food on his table.”

Gee, Harry, perhaps he should have been starved to death or perhaps endured an IRS audit from an unfriendly administration? Forget Benghazi, Operation Fast & Furious and the current deficit, when we can still have Dick Nixon to kick around. I hope you stub your toe on his coffin. What's next, Rosenfeld, an article on how Dan Quayle can't spell “potatoe”?

William Jones, New Braunfels

Unsavory fruit

How many times have you seen a customer in the produce department testing the grapes, picking one at a time, and eating them? They will pick from one bag, and then get a different bag of grapes to purchase. You think they would stay with the bag they were picking from. It's the other customers paying for their pickings.

What the stores need is an in-store video camera, and show what the customers are doing in the produce department on a screen for every one to see. Maybe this will stop the picking.

Vincent Bonanno