Letters to the editor

Email this article

Note: Letters may have been edited for the sake of brevity and clarity.

November 14, 2005

Readers appreciate a good SEAL article

Note: The article titled "How to detect a phony SEAL" was picked up by several military news sites, including NavySEALs.com.

Sirs,

I liked your article ("How to detect a phony SEAL"). I am not a SEAL, but subscribe to a navy SEALs site and various discussion groups. I have a profile up as well. I am a former New Zealand SF operator (We don't have SEALs, but rather a boat squadron sub-unit of 1NZSAS group.) and do a bit of work security in "civi" world now and then.

I find the odd US "SEAL" pops up in New Zealand looking for body guard or close protection work and even I find it tough sometimes to verify a propsective candidate's employment history, especially post Gulf War II. There are lots of guys around claiming to have just come back from the gulf or Afghanistan. Other other than using our smarts or relying on web sites, are there any other ways to check on such wankers!

Thanks in advance. 

Sincerely,

Billy (SQUID) Doyle, 'train hard-fight easy'

Via the internet

--------------------

Sirs,

I wanted to take a moment on this Veterans Weekend to thank you for a great article on phony Navy Seals. I read it on navyseals.com. I was an Intelligence Specialist and had the honor of serving with the SEALs several times in my 22 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring in '92. I guess you could say "it was back in the day". Those guys where special people and just the thought of someone pretending to be a SEAL makes me sick. Again, thanks for the article.

Sincerely,

Rich Williams

USN   Retired

Prop 73 looked at from a different angle

Sirs,

I just found your site this morning and so far really enjoy the material.

I do not write to "flame" April Labine-Katko for her article ("Proposition 73 attempts to redefine abortion"). It was well written and her viewpoint expressed to a level even I can understand. While we both see eye to eye on many statements and convictions she's brought forth, I see one flaw in such an editorial article: It fails to provide the remainder of the facts.

I do understand every topic cannot possibly be brought up in this venue of a short article, I do feel it necessary to at least provide "the whole truth." April brings up a fantastic point about this new legislation forcing children (young mothers-to-be) to confront their parents or guardians about such a sensitive subject.

The point is very well taken that such a minor might use illegal and/or out-of-country tactics to complete the abortion. However, what's lost on the reader is that the rest of this proposition allows for the court to make a decision in the child's behalf.

This part of the law would allow for a young pregnant girl to utilize the private services of the juvenile courts to essentially okay an abortion without parental consent. The law is intended to limit abuse and to allow parents or judges to determine whether the child is competent able to make such an adult decision. 

I just wished to express my thoughts on her piece. Again, well done on your site for San Diegans. Keep it up!

Sincerely,

Ryan Lamb

Via internet

Does flying cheap mean flying safe?

Sirs,

In the article "Why other airlines can't compete with Southwest" Mr. Potochnik writes that price shouldn't be the sole determining factor in choosing an airline, but that price safety should be.

He's implying that flying Southwest of Jet Blue isn't as safe as flying United or Northwest. How absurd. He doesn't mention the role that organized labor plays in cost structures for competing airlines. Really, he can do better than this.

Sincerely,

Anonymous

Via internet

Letters to the editor can be sent to news@vyuz.com. All submissions will be considered the property of Vyuz.com and may be edited for brevity and clarity.