4 I OPINION I
MAY 25, 2011 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
Are looking for a
Perfect getaway? Discover Farmington
Golf Local Wineries Cycling & Walking Trails Explore Historic MO State Parks To speak to someone or request a brochure with details to plan your trip to Farmington, MO
Call 888-279-4727. DiscoverFarmingtonMo.com
Dog Training In The Comfort Of Your Home
NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM
l e tt e r s t o t h e e d i t o r Abortion
Middle East speech
To the editor: There are on-going activities by the (Obama) Administration and Congress regarding government-funded abortions. The majority of Missourians and Americans are of the opinion that abortions should be banned. Certain states, such as Missouri, are taking anti-abortion actions. The following actions are noted: wholesale abortions (taxpayer funded) are included in the healthcare bill, certain restrictions are addressed in an Executive Order by Obama, the budget bills have criteria on the funding of abortions, Planned Parenthood has received funding for abortions, and now the House passed a bill that would prevent taxpayer funded abortions. Abortions should be banned except in extreme circumstances. Partial and late term birth abortions should be banned. Some women become pregnant and then decide that they do not wish a child. So an abortion at taxpayers’ expense is their option. There are less costly and less traumatic ways to prevent pregnancy which do not endanger health or life. Pro-Choice does not begin at conception but at the time of the actions leading to pregnancy. Our representatives should do the will of Americans and ban abortions with certain limited exceptions, and defund Planned Parenthood. Herb Jones St. Charles County
To the editor: The following is an open response to President Barack Obama’s recent speech regarding the Middle East: It is in our nation’s interest to advance freedom in the Middle East. Supporting free peoples and democratic governments has always guided American foreign policy. Unfortunately, I believe President Obama has been unsteady in advocating these principles in recent months. The President demonstrated uncertainty dealing with President Mubarak before withdrawing his support suddenly. After hesitating for several weeks and allowing Moammar Qaddafi to regroup, he authorized U.S. participation in a NATO air operation with a confusing mission and without significant U.S. leadership. He stood on the sidelines for weeks while Syrian forces have butchered pro-freedom demonstrators before finally announcing a series of sanctions this week. Indeed the President’s entire narrative has been unclear since the time he took office. The plan that President Obama outlined (May 19) certainly has merit. However, it’s important we recognize that any support given to these emerging or existing Arab governments can only help them as much as they’re willing to help themselves. Congress must be a partner in the development of this package. Congress will have to ensure that whatever aid is given is both targeted toward an outcome that is in the national security interest of the nation and does not increase the U.S. deficit. My support for the President’s idea is contingent on several principles being met by the governments that receive any U.S. aid. First, the government and its leaders must reject all forms of terrorism. They must demonstrate a credible plan for economic development and poverty reduction. They also must demonstrate a record of support for the rule of law, a prerequisite to ensuring that U.S. aid dollars will not be used to subvert the system of justice, jail opponents, or undermine constitutional government. We’re at an extremely important moment as we watch a movement toward freedom unprecedented in the history of the Arab world unfold. America’s role is to support responsible leaders committed to peace and sustainable democratic change. I’m hopeful the President will work with my colleagues in the Senate to extend a helping hand to those leaders who are truly committed to those values. U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
Good job, but…
• Does your dog jump on you and/or your guests? • Does your dog walk you instead of you walking him? • Does your dog potty in the house? • Does your dog bolt out and run off when a door is opened? • Does your dog bark at anything and everything?
If you answer “YES” to any of these I can help! Stop the Craziness and give me a call today.
TRAINING TAILS ON THE GO, LLC Check out my website: www.trainingtailsllc.com,
Then call 636-734-8802 Or send me an e-mail: trainingtailsllc@gmail.com Your dog deserves to understand the rules and learn in their own environment. You will build the bond that will last a life time.
To the editor: Excellent editorial on Bin Laden’s death, except for one omission. Why wasn’t President Obama given “any” credit for the role he played and making a tough decision going into Pakistan. Had the mission failed, I am sure you would have mentioned the President’s name. Even Vice President Cheney applauded Obama’s decision to send in the Navy Seals. Immediately following the announcement of Bin Laden’s death, the Left attacked President Bush for his failure to get Bin Laden and the Right tried to give most of the credit to Bush and the Intel his administration had collected. Without a doubt, it was our military that got Bin Laden. The actions of our military and the Navy Seals should have united our country, yet the Right, the Left and partisan media, including the Mid Rivers Newsmagazine did their best to keep us divided. We should be able to do better than that. Rod Hoffman
Publisher
Doug Huber
General Manager
Tim Weber
Managing Editor
Terry Dean
Associate Editor
Sarah Wilson
Marketing Director
Sharon Huber
Staff Reporter
Business Manager
Brian McDowell Erica Ritter
Sr. Graphic Designer
Angela Carmody
Graphic Designer Graphics/Layout Tech Advisor/ Website
Chris Hedges Lindsay Graves Shana Tozer Brian Miller
Janet Ruhmann
Office Manager
Advertising Manager Vicky Czapla Advertising Account Executives Nancy Anderson Sheila Bennett Hope Cohagan Dennis Coon Vivian Fortunato
Linda Hauhe Sharon Huber Roger Koch Joe Ritter Michael Watson
Classified Advertising Sales Ellen Thomas Writers Amy Armour Katherine T. Brady Mary Ann O’Toole Holley Jeannie Seibert Sarah Wilson 754 Spirit 40 Park Drive Chesterfield, MO 63005 (636) 591-0010 ■ (636) 778-9785 Fax newsmagazinenetwork.com Please send Comments, Letters and Press Releases to: editor@midriversnewsmagazine.com Mid Rivers Newsmagazine is published 25 times per year by 21 Publishing LLC. It is direct-mailed to more than 61,000 households in St. Charles County. Products and services advertised are not necessarily endorsed by Mid Riverts Newsmagazine and views expressed in editorial copy are not necessarily those of Mid Rivers Newsmagazine. No part of Mid Rivers Newsmagazine may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent from Mid Rivers Newsmagazine. All letters addressed to Mid Rivers Newsmagazine or its editor are assumed to be intended for publication and are subject to editing for content and length. Mid Rivers Newsmagazine reserves the right to refuse any advertisement or editorial submission. © Copyright 2011.