Letters From Our Readers
May 1 - May 31, 2005
By Editorial Board
May 18, 2005, 02:32
-----Original Message-----
From: Linda and Ken Mitchell [mailto:]
Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2005 11:09 AM
To: les@axisoflogic.com
Subject: Shopping for War at Walmart
I read the piece and the follow up. I don't think too highly of Bush or Wal-Mart. It's bad enough that out people in uniform are being sent to a war that we have no business waging. Many aer ill equipped, ill trained. Many were billed for services, having to pay for medical treatment from combat wounds. The commander in chief, who never went to war supports this. The recruiters have always lied to people asking to join. Wal-Mart allows them to lie at their stores. We have an expression here. "SUPPORT OUR TROOPS". I say "SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME NOW!".
Ken Mitchell
(Scroll further down the page down to see more correspondence on this article)
Note: Received from regular Axis of Logic correspondent, reader and writer, Don Nash, Murray, Utah regarding the planned protest and march on Washington on September 24, 2005. A.N.S.W.E.R. is planning the march. Don's thoughts are shared by many. - LMB
Dear Axis:
I received one of those calls to action email alerts this morning. "Momentum builds towards September 24." Okey-dokey. Left me wondering, how many innocent Iraqis will be dead by September 24. Will the number of brutally slaughtered Iraqi people hit the magic 200,000 mark? Will Kofi Annan give another speech to the United Nations because genocide isn't really genocide in the Darfur? Will George Bush put the world on notice that Iran is next to be "democratized?" Curious connection between democratization and genocide. Bush seems to think that democracy and wars of aggression are somehow the same thing.
By the time that September 24 arrives, the piles of rotting dead could very well be blotting out the sun. Let's see, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day and then September 24. George Bush could kill vast numbers of poor folk by then. Maybe the anti-war movement could celebrate the summer solstice by singing songs about democracy and exactly how many innocents must die during the interim. Of course, the summer solstice will have to be scheduled around the latte and wine and cheese celebrations. Vacations with the kids and do you ever wonder if the Iraqi people are thinking about lattes and vacations? Do the Iraqi people ever wonder about whether it's time to buy a new Saab?
I am absolutely of the opinion that the Iraqi people could care less about September 24. I'm of the opinion that the Iraqi people couldn't care less about the anti-war movement in America. One's family is shot into oblivion and Saabs and latte just don't seem to measure up.
Maybe the anti-war movement should put up or shut up. How about anyone that cares about the death and slaughter at the blood-stained hands of George Bush, should just head to Washington, D.C. and camp out on the steps of our Capital Building. Stay on those steps until someone in our wondrous government starts to ask the question, why are all those people sitting on the steps of the Capital. Fuck September 24, the protest should start right freaking now.
Sincerely pissed off,
Don Nash
163 E. Vine Street
Murray, Utah
84107
(801)281-1641
Dear Michael,
I was a trained R.G.N and nursing sister in the early 60's.
The running of the hospital was done by one medical officer and 4 senior nursing sisters schooled in business. They occupied 4 small rooms on the second floor and had one secretary. The ward sisters were responsible for the budget of their units and were held accountable to the top office.
The hospital ran like clockwork, and patient deaths due to infection was rare.
The sole purpose of training was the patient. If bed sores developed or god forbid, infection or post op pneumonia, one was on the carpet with top office.
The training and hospital facilities in G.B. in general is an abomination.
The patient is now a client with a number, cross-infection is running rampant, nurses are ill-kempt and slovenly in their uniforms and attitude, and, above all, the wards are filthy.
The administration staff now occupy 4 FLOORS with countless automatons who have not a clue how to extricate themselves from a brown paper bag.
'Tis as you stated, the only entity benefiting from the NHS fiasco is the private sector where not a soul gives thought to "less is more".
I am not one for "remembering the good old days", with a jaded myopic view, but, when it comes to good training, excellent patient care and allowing senior nursing staff who are trained to run their own hospitals, successfully, then I remember fondly, the good old days.
Yours aye,
Helen McLean.
Dear Helen
Many thanks for your most kind and much valued response to my latest article.
Now, I can be quite a theorist and ideologue, at times, by I do prefer writing about items on which I enjoy specific knowledge and Hands-On experience.
Immediately, I must state that in times of dire emergency, the NHS can provide excellent care and results: however, this is much of a lottery, all dependant on where one collapses!
Some thirteen years ago, I myself suffered a sudden and unexpected MI. Fortunately, I was rushed into my local NHS hospital and received very rapid diagnosis from a young cardiologist (who was Nigerian as it happens) and received immediate treatment, which ameliorated the after effects.
One of the first "Consultants" to examine me, was an NHS doctor, who also consulted privately on the side.
Despite the multitude of pipes and oxygen, I said to him firmly (well, rather croakily in fact!):
"I want a word with you!"
I had consulted him, privately, only circa four years before, complaining of a breathing restriction when exercising.
Once I had a full angiogram and diagnosis/prognosis in London, it transpired that my earlier symptoms were absolutely classic indicators of blocked coronary arteries!
I well remember asking this clown:" Well, aren't you going to give me an ECG?"
"Do you need one?" he had asked!
"You tell me!" I answered, "You're supposed to be the expert!"
Q.E.D
About eleven years ago, I was diagnosed as suffering from IBS: this being after every rather nasty test known to Matron and doctor, including tubes being inserted in most known bodily orifices and some yet to be discovered!
I endured a very restricted lifestyle.
Eventually, three years ago, I diligently searched to find the real expert, in Harley Street, in London, the home of course of most of the best clinicians and consultants.
It turned out I was suffering from something related, but not IBS! Two pills three times per day and six months later I was cured!
Sadly, seven years ago my Mother-in-Law passed away, having spent nearly three months in the local NHS hospital.
At one point she was discharged: and after a visit by her GP, the following morning, sent straight back in as an emergency, since she had gangrene in one leg! Oh, and she had been sent home with the wrong medication!
Mum-in-Law was hospitalised in a brand new wing, which housed the geriatric medicine department. It was truly disgusting, despite its newness. Dirt and litter was left under beds (I left a piece of paper under her bed as a monitor and it was there for days.
The patient toilets were totally disgusting, with blood, wound discharge and faeces on the floor and sanitary fittings.
Once she was towards the end, she was put into a private room.
When the "Food" was brought round, by a young tattooed man, with of course, the regulation hairnet, she was being attended to. So, he left her food, uncovered, on a shelf outside, in a corridor, along which all the visitors were to'ing and fro'ing!
I took issue with him and patiently explained that (i) The food would be cold, & (ii) It would be cross-infected by various bacterium cultures, microorganisms etc.
Urghhhhhhhh!
I lost my own Mum in February.
It was again, a reprise of the last time, but this time worse.
Perhaps the most wonderful point, was where after an examination by a "Consultant", she was ordered to X-Ray and, my family and I, having retired to grab a coffee, and provide the medical staff space and privacy, returned to see an empty bed!
Eventually, another patient (the ward was like the Marie Celeste, in terms of staff!) explained that Mum had been taken to X-Ray.
I told the others to wait and galloped off to X-Ray. The porter had simply dumped this frail 96 year old frightened lady!
She was in tears and sobbing: " I want to go home!" was all she said. My heart broke.
When the UK was still a semblance of a cultured and quasi-civilised society, the vocation of "Nurse" was a most honourable and dignified calling, beset with rules and impeccable standards.
Today, ever-decreasing payscales (in real terms) have meant that anyone who can do something else, does!
Hospitals are staffed by foreign "nurses" and "doctors", in the majority, far too many of whom cannot read, write and speak English well enough to act safely and professionally. (I must emphasise, that this is NOT a racist comment; indeed, my family GP, who is a friend and the best GP I have ever had, is a High-Caste Hindu from Calcutta!).
It is now almost impossible to see a nurse, let alone a staff-nurse or sister: hospitals are mainly staffed by HCAs (Hospital Care Assistants), of dubious qualification and behavioural nature, whose main attraction is their cheapness!
For example, a chum of mine, who is MD of a big property company and own a chain of Rest Homes and Nursing Homes ( which, unusually, are very ethical: Makes a change!), sacked a girl after three days, since she was temperamentally and mentally completely unsuited for the work.
Within two days (with no checks or references) she was taken on by the BNA (British Nursing Agency) and placed at our local hospital as an HCA!
Like education, the Health Service has suffered the result of social and political engineering.
What is more annoying still, is the absolutely vast sums of public monies poured in, with no real accountability and little if any attempt at Best Practice- Best Value, which was intended to be the benchmark for public services some years ago. It is very much not lack of funding which is the problem: it is the application and management of those funds.
In the early 1970s, I was blessed, by enjoying a friendship with a wonderful lady, Miss Marjorie Bayes, MBE, Legion d'Honoure.
Marjorie had been the Executive Secretary of the Royal College of Midwives; had been Sir Russell Flint's model for a WW II poster on nursing and had originally qualified at Leeds.
She was "Blown-Up" during this war, in the blitz, whilst on duty and blind for three weeks, owing to glass splinters. Later in life, glass splinters started erupting through her face dermis and later on, into one eye, blinding her, in that eye. She never, ever complained!
No rushing off for Post Traumatic Stress Counselling: no lawsuits against the hospital, she simply went on as before.
She came from a very much middle class family and at one time in the 30s, had nearly married a Liberal peer.
When she retired, she was bored and formed the ICM (international Confederation of Midwives) co-opting Sir John Peel (HM The Queens' gynaecologist) and Keith Thompkinson, her (The Queen's) Obstetrician, onto the Management Committee.
I used to write her speeches! And act as her unofficial (unpaid) chauffeur.
Marjorie also sat on both the WHO Nursing Committee and Red Cross Midwifery Committee. She was a dear and true friend and taught me much and is sadly missed.
I well remember when she "Scandalised" the fusty old members of the United Services Club in Pall Mall, by smoking a cheroot, after luncheon. Happy days.
She stood for the essential vocational nature of British nursing: having the choice of marrying a peer and other potential suitors including a German Baron, she elected, instead, to devote her life to fellow human beings, rather than the pursuit of Mammon.
By the way, her modest flat, near me, boasted a Post-Renaissance Leley oil and a host of Georgian wonders, inherited from her father.
She very much encouraged and supported me, during a very turbulent time and above all else, encouraged me in my writing. I am eternally grateful to her memory.
Not a bad role model.
With my best wishes,
Michael
Michael C Feltham
Columnist
Axis of Logic
The following series consists of correspondence related to our publication of an article titled Shopping for War at Walmart. The article includes photos and commentary about the U.S. Marines we found at a Walmart in Ebensburg, PA. A Marine First Sergeant wrote a letter complaining about the article. His letter and our reply are published at the bottom of this series:
-----Original Message-----
From: Holly Elsbury
Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2005 02:02 AM
To: les@axisoflogic.com
Subject: Shopping for War at Walmart (Updated with correspondence from the Marine Corps, May 17, 2005)
Les,
I'm writing in response to the article "Shopping for War at Wal-Mart (Updated with correspondence from the Marine Corps, May 17, 2005)". First of all, the marine that wrote in to inform you of what these other marines were doing is a First Sergeant, not a Sergeant. Second of all, this is a free country, and none of the Marines, or Soldiers, or men and women in any branch, were forced to join against their own free will. I am a United States Marine, and damn proud to be one. I have been given a huge opportunity to do something that I can be proud of, and no, I am not underprivileged, or a minority. I come from a good home, and a good family. The training that I have received through the Marine Corps has taught me a lot, and will take me a little farther in life, not to mention the benefits such a the MGBILL and the SGLI. As for what these Marines were doing on Mother's Day, they were fund raising, not recruiting in any way. The comment about the girl scout cookies was completely unnecessary. Many companies (other than girl scouts and Marines) fund raise, and in my opinion, it shows our dedication. You may complain about what we are doing over there now, but when there is another attack on our Country, you will be begging us to defend you. You do not have to support the war, but that doesn't mean you can't support the troops. I am outraged by you article and your reply!
Sincerely,
Corporal Holly A. Pisano
Dear Cpl. Pasano,
Thank you for taking the time to write to us with your views. You may not be "underprivileged or a minority" but more young people recruited into the U.S. military are from underpivileged, minority and working class citizens than any other. A simple Internet search on Minorities and Military will inform you of that fact.
As for the MGBILL and SGLI that you prize - the article published with my correspondence will inform you that only 35% of military veterans receive funding for college and only 15% graduate from college.
As for your reply to my comment about the Marine Corps competing with the Girl Scouts, it was only meant to express my absolute disdain for the Marine Corps' promotion of war and killing to our young people through the wretched practice of selling cookies on Mothers Day. For that I offer you no apology.
Regarding your comment about supporting our troops - the only way to truly support our troops at this time is to work very hard to bring an end to this unprovoked, illegal war that is based on lies about weapons of mass destruction and any connection whatsoever between Al Queda and the sovereign nation of Iraq.
Finally, you will never see me "begging you to defend me" - "when there is another attack against our country". Get your facts straight: Iraq never attacked our country and never posed a threat to the United States. You are not fighting for the people of the United States. You are fighting for the multinational corporations who are led by the United States government. If that is your choice, so be it. But leave our children alone and tell your superiors to stop luring them into the military with lies about having a "better life".
We appeal to you to rethink your position and to join the tens of thousands of young men and women who are refusing to serve this rogue government and those who are refusing to return to Iraq after returning home.
Support the Troops! Bring Them Home Now!
Very truly yours,
Les Blough, Editor
Axis of Logic
Boston, MA
www.axisoflogic.com
+ 617-787-3498
-----Original Message-----
From: Charay
Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2005 02:59 AM
To: les@axisoflogic.com
Subject: SHOPPING AT WALMART
I RECENTLY READ YOUR SO CALLED ARTICLE ON THE MARINE'S OF EBENSBURG UNIT SELLING CANDY BARS TO HELP OUT THEIR UNIT. FOR ALL OF YOU TREE HUGGING, ANTI WAR, NATZIE'S OUT THERE, UNTIL YOU OR ONE OF YOUR LOVED ONE'S ARE FIGHTING IN THIS WAR, KEEP YOUR MOUTH'S SHUT! IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT OUR MILITARY IS DOING IN THE CIVILIAN WORLD, TURN YOUR FRIGGIN HEADS! WOULD YOU RATHER THEM BE OUT SELLING MORTERS OR M 16'S TO YOUR CHILDREN? IF IT WASN'T FOR THE UNITED STATES MILITARY, YOU WOULDN'T HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH OR YOUR PRECIOUS LITTLE CAMERA TO TAKE PICTURES OF PEOPLE, (WHICH IS STRICTLY ILLEGAL UNLESS YOU GET THEIR PERMISSION, AND WAVE THEM ALL OVER THE INTERNET!) INSTEAD OF CRITICIZING THE MARINE CORPS AND ALL THE OTHER FORCES THAT ARE DEFENDING YOURSELF AS WELL AS THE REST OF THE COUNTRY, YOU SHOULD BE POSTING ARTICLES ON YOUR WEB SITE TO SUPPORT THEM IN ANY WAY THAT YOU CAN. YOU NEED TO GET ALL OF YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT BEFORE YOU START JUMPING TO CRAZY CONCLUSIONS THAT UPSET THOSE THAT GAVE THEIR TIME AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES TO FIGHT THIS WAR AGAINST TERRORISM TO KEEP THOSE IDIOTS OUT OF OUR BACK YARDS. I STRONGLY SUPPORT THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES MILITARY IN THEIR EFFORTS TO KEEP THIS COUNTRY SAFE AND UPHOLDING YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. THEY ARE NOT TRYING TO COMPETE WITH THE GIRL SCOUTS...... THEY ARE SHOWING THE CHILDREN THAT THEY AREN'T JUST KILLERS! DID YOU EVER THINK THAT THEY WAS TRYING TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THEIR UNIT FOR AN UPCOMING EVENT? I FEEL THAT THE FIRST SERGEANT WAS TOO NICE TO YOU. THE NEXT TIME YOU FEEL THE NEED TO CRITICIZE THE MILITARY BY WRITING PURE LIES ABOUT THEM, MAYBE YOU SHOULD POST A "THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND SERVICE" ARTICLE! I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOMEONE LIKE YOURSELF GO TO IRAQ AND FIGHT FOR THE RIGHT TO RUN YOUR MOUTH! INSTEAD, YOU JUST SIT HERE AND TYPE ON YOUR COMPUTER AND RUN DOWN THE VETERAN'S WHO ARE! I WOULD APPRECIATE YOU POSTING THIS UPDATE ON YOUR SITE!
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Dear Charay,
Thank you for writing to us about the article "Shopping at Walmart" and the correspondence with the marine sgt. from Ebensburg, PA. Yes, of course we will publish your letter to us. We have nothing but compassion for the U.S. soldiers who are caught in the quagmire in Iraq and for their loved ones and families. We believe that the only way to truly support them and their families is to work very hard at bring an end to this failed war and occupation and to bring them home now. There are thousands of military personnel in Iraq who do not want to be there and thousands of military families who protest against this war and occupation at our side in local and national protests. Perhaps you should consider joining them. You have every right to disagree, but in our view, it is the only way to truly support your husband.
You asked if we would rather the Marines be "out selling mortars and M16s to our children". The U.S. military is doing just that - in our high schools and other venues like Walmart - to 17 and 18 year olds who are vulnerable to their clever marketing strategies. You said the military is fighting "to keep those idiots out of our back yards". Neither the Iraqi military nor the Iraqi people were ever in our back yard and never posed a threat to the United States. That has been well-established along with the absence of any "weapons of mass destruction" - a U.S. government lie designed to justify sending our boys and girls into harms way. You said the U.S. military is keeping our country safe and upholding our constitutional rights. The U.S. military has created more hatred for our country and made us anything but "safe". The U.S. military is being used to destroy our constitutional rights through Patriot Acts I and II. You said our taking of photos of the U.S. marines is "strictly illegal". There is nothing illegal in the United States about taking photos of anyone. Perhaps you were thinking of secretly recording a persons voice which is illegal.
We wish the very best for you and hope that your husband comes home safe and unharmed. We have no wish to hurt you, your husband or anyone else. We think the most powerful way you can support him and all U.S. soldiers is to oppose this war and occupation and help us bring the troops home sooner than later. We hope that he will make the courageous decision to refuse to serve in a war that was unprovoked, that violates international law, the Geneva convention and the Westphalian Treaty which forbids foreign countries from interfering in the domestic affairs of any sovereign nation.
We provide a list of military organizations opposed to the war for your consideration below.
Les Blough, Editor
Axis of Logic
Boston, MA
+ 617-787-3498
-----Original Message-----
From: LyleKD@mfr.usmc.mil [mailto:LyleKD@mfr.usmc.mil]
Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2005 09:15 PM
To: les@axisoflogic.com
Subject: Reply to your article "Shopping for war at Walmart" 12 May 05
Les,
Hi, I am the First Sergeant of the Marines in the photos, along with
the article concerning the Walmart in Ebensburg, Pa, this past Mothers Day.
I would like to set this story straight for all your viewers. Truck company is not a recruiting unit, we are a Motor Transport unit, therefore, we did not recruit people for the Marine Corps at Walmart. The Marines were assisting in the selling of candy in front of Walmart on Mothers Day. Never once did any of these Marines of Truck Company, Ebensburg (Also shown on signs in the pictures) make any attempt to sell anything other than candy, at the same time we are proud of those who serve. It is most important that we all maintain the truth, therefore, leaving no room for exaggeration or outright lies.
Thank you for clearing this up for your viewers.
It is requested you submit the correction above to your column for your views to read.
A complementary copy of the correction in your column, would be greatly appreciated.
If you have any further questions or concerns feel free to call me.
Thank you Les
First Sergeant Keith D. Lyle
I-I Staff Truck Company
1st and 2nd Plt Truck Co.
261 - Industrial Park Dr.
Ebensburg, Pa. 15931
Work - (814) 472-6440 Ext. 224
Cell - (814) 341-2502
Dear Sgt. Lyle,
I will be happy to add your letter, stating that you informed us that the U.S. Marines were selling candy at Walmart on Mother's Day. I will also add my reply to the article.
Personally, I fail see how selling candy at Walmart on Mother's Day improves the image of the U.S. Marines for the U.S. public but perhaps our readers will see it differently. In my view, promoting the Marine Corps through the selling of candy cheapens the Marine Corp even beyond direct and straight-forward recruitment of our young people. You suggested that the photos and report represent "exaggerations or outright lies". Our report may not have contained all the details, but now you have solved that problem for us. On the other hand, luring young people to fight and die in an unprovoked war on the Iraqi people - through the sale of candy on Mother's Day at Walmart - is truly deceptive. Are the Marine Corps now competing with the Girl Scout cookie sales?
Please try to understand our outrage at having our tax dollars spent on the invasion, occupation and slaughter of the Iraqi people, destruction of their land and culture and theft of their natural resources. Please try to understand how repulsive it is for us as parents when we see the Marine Corps and other branches of the U.S. military obtaining private information about our children in the schools for recruitment purposes and entering the schools themselves.
Please try to understand our absolute rejection of the practice of targeting the poor and minority groups to sign up, while denying them a living wage and giving them no opportunities for a real career. Please try to understand our lack of understanding when we see our children killed and maimed in this ungodly war. Over 50% of U.S. citizens no longer support the war and occupation. But people like yourself continue to promote the killing with the pretext of "liberating" and bringing "democracy" to the Iraqis. We admire and applaud the many young men and women who refuse to serve the corporate empire's military in the first place and we have nothing but respect for those who refuse to return to Iraq after witnessing the barbarism and carnage.
You will be able to find the "correction" later this evening within the article itself on Axis of Logic.
Thank you for writing and for "setting the story straight".
Les Blough, Editor
Axis of Logic
Boston, MA
www.axisoflogic.com
+ 617-787-3498
© Copyright 2005 by AxisofLogic.com
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