The front pages of The Portland Press Herald properly feature local news items that are of central interest to us all.

But we must turn to the inner pages of the newspaper to be aware that our nation is still at war.

We are in the ninth year of fighting in two countries at a cost of 5,000 men and women killed, more than 30,000 wounded and $1 trillion spent on combat and other parts of the war effort.

Unless we have family members in our all-volunteer armed forces, we, as a nation, have not been called upon to make any sacrifice for the war effort; it has not caused any disruption to our everyday lives. In the recently concluded national elections, these conflicts were not even a campaign issue.

Tom Brokaw, in a recent New York Times op-ed column, made the challenging observation that “our uniformed services now represent less than 1 percent of the American population, but they’re carrying 100 percent of the battle.”

It is only when one of our own falls on the battlefield do we publicly pay tribute to them and mourn their deaths in a front-page article. Other casualties, military and civilian alike, continue to be nameless statistics literally buried deep within the newspaper.

To give these wars the sense of urgency that seems to escape us, I would suggest The Portland Press Herald list all American casualties of war for that day on its front page. It would be a constant reminder that our nation is still at war and convey our sorrow and gratitude for all the men and women of our military who have made the supreme sacrifice.

We all express support for our troops but how many are actually willing to share in their sacrifices?

Sam Kamin

Cumberland

 

I have written many letters to the editor and am thankful my ideas and opinions were allowed the light of day. While my thinking on government spending has been ridiculed many times over since I was very young, there is one thing that I agree with many others about, and it is how right cutting spending would be for our national defense.

The last 10 years are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how badly the armed forces in America waste money. The present figures on what is used to supply troops in Iraq and Afghanistan with just basic needs should wake up even the most staunch neo-con.

Many have written that the Cold War is over – and I tell you they are wrong about that.

We are presently beholden to the Chinese economy for products, labor and innovative industries to flourish, for one reason only: Wall Street greed. The current taxpayer backing of banks, home loans and lending institutions was never supposed to be left unregulated.

The Founding Fathers were aware of large corporate-type greed being insured by the taxpayer and warned against it. However, over many decades a cozy love-hate relationship has been installed that gives profit to the biggest companies for shipping jobs overseas.

And your representatives in Washington have done nothing to stop it, nothing. So tell me, citizens, who again is to blame for our economic failures? Clue: Look in your drive way and take note of the automobile you drive or look at the newest electronic gadget you bought at the electronics store. Quiz is over.

Peter Hamilton

Gray

To quote letter-writer George A. Fogg, “Have we not had enough of the liberal thinking that has our nation nearly broke and destitute?”

Evidently, Mr. Fogg doesn’t realize that what has made our nation nearly broke and destitute is Bush’s wars financed on credit and the growing military-industrial complex that consumes our wealth.

Those have nothing to do with the “liberal thinking” or the “liberal ninnies” he so despises.

Bob Tripler

Cape Elizabeth

 

Student’s inquiry proves value of local schools

 

I am in the eighth grade at the Friends School of Portland. For a school project I researched learning disabilities in the Portland Public Schools. I interviewed three people and visited Reiche Elementary School.

At Reiche, I visited a self-contained classroom. I helped a boy create a story and with his spelling. This is one of the classes that might be cut with budget cuts, but it helps the students build skills and self-confidence.

Next I worked with a third-grade boy who was emotionally disturbed. We played rummy and he took losing well. The biggest surprise came with his spelling, as he spelled 12-letter words that I had never heard before! I am glad he gets help and support.

I interviewed Elaine Nadzo, Janice Boyko and Barbara Melnick. Elaine Nadzo works at the Friends School as a learning strategist. She is lucky because she can still work one-on-one with kids. Most teachers right now have to help many children all together.

Janice Boyko is a speech-language pathologist. The hardest part of her job was all the paperwork and the limited amount of time she had with each student. Unfortunately, she lost her job this year. The schools should add another speech-language pathologist. It is difficult for the children and teachers without her.

Barbara Melnick is the director of the Aucocisco School, a school for students with learning disabilities. The hardest part of Barbara’s job is all the paperwork. She would also like to have programs for students who can’t afford the tuition.

My experience showed how important learning disabilities programs are. When programs are cut, it is hard for teachers and children. Our teachers are doing their best for these kids and we owe them our thanks. We must continue helping children who have learning disabilities.

Annarosa Whitman

Portland

 

Crushed car, bright sign were distracting enough

 

On Thanksgiving Day, my wife and I drove over the Casco Bay Bridge at about 3:30 p.m. to join our daughter in Cape Elizabeth for dinner.

As I approached the Broadway intersection, I was faced with this crushed vehicle, behind which was this large, flashing electronic sign which said something to the effect, “This is what can happen when you are distracted while driving!”

Excuse me, but what could be more distracting at that busy intersection than that dual display of the car and sign? Who thought that one up?

Good grief!

Norman G. Brown

Standish