This was my latest letter to the editor. Let me know what you think.

[illini]

I am writing this letter in response to Kenneth Cox's misleading letter that was in the April 9th Journal-Courier. I would like to set the record straight with a few facts.
Mr. Cox was wrong with his assertion that terror attacks on U.S. interest and citizens began with the World Trade Center bombing that happened on February 26, 1993. On October 23, 1983 the Marine headquarters building in Beirut was attacked buy a truck bomber. 243 Marines lost their lives that day. The attack was preceded by an attack on the U.S. embassy in Beruit was attacked killing 16 Americans. President Reagan's response was to later pull out the marines and leave. No person or organization was ever captured or prosecuted for those dreadful Beirut attacks.
Mr. Cox failed to mention on May 25, 1994, a judge sentenced four defendants to 240 years in prison for their part in the WTC bombing. In a little more than a year the terrorist that attacked the WTC were imprisoned. President Clinton's administration found the terrorist and jailed them with the help of Pakistan. There are more examples of the Clinton administration going after terrorist and I encourage every citizen to do some reading on the subject.
Did the Clinton administration do enough to stop 911 from happening? No! Could the Clinton administration have done more? Yes! To simply say that they did nothing is wrong. I will remind Mr. Cox that there were terror plots that were thwarted. The millennium plot to blow up L.A.X. being one of them.The Clinton admin also forwarded plans to the Bush admin on how to deal with Al-Qaeda. Plans that were meant to retaliate for the Cole bombing and to shut Al-qaeda down. Plans that were ignored buy the Bush Administration. Again, I encourage every citizen to do some reading and research of their own. Please, do not depend on one news source or some talk show radio host to inform you.
Mr. Cox also attacked Richard Clarke's credibility. I would like to note that even Dr. Condoleezza Rice called Mr. Clarke "very competent terrorism adviser"during her testimony to the 9/11 commission. Mr. Clark was the go to person on 9\11 and took charge of the crisis management that day at the behest of Dr. Rice. I would also note that Mr. Clarke submitted his book to the White House to be vetted in October of 2003 five months before his testimony before the 9\11 commission. Again, I plead research and read!!!! RESEARCH AND READ!!!!! Don't just believe what you hear.
Mr. Cox attacked Senator Kerry's and liberal Democrat's ability to lead this country during a time of war. Franklin Roosevelt, John Kennedy and Max Cleland are just a few of the liberal Democrats who have shown outstanding leadership. Senator Kerry is a decorated Vietnam Veteran. Silver and Bronze Stars were pinned on John Kerry's chest for his service. He also received three Purple Hearts and has to scars to prove it. The five medals that Sen. Kerry earned speak to his leadership qualifications. Mr. Kerry also has a fine voting record in the Senate. His voting record has been misrepresented by the Bush Campaign so I can understand if Mr. Cox has the wrong impression of Mr. Kerry's voting record . One example of this is the claim that Mr. Kerry "flip-flopped" on going to war with Iraq. Mr. Kerry voted to authorize the president to use force against Iraq. But voted for that in order for Bush to go to the UN and get the inspectors back into Iraq. But, the president acted in bad faith. Here is what Kerry said about it on Face the Nation 9/14/03 “The president promised he would go to war as a matter of last resort. He did not’t. The president promised he would build a coalition and work through the United Nations. He did’t. We’re paying the price for the reckless way in which this president approached this. It’s a failure of diplomacy, and today it’s a failure of leadership.” RESEARCH AND READ
The irony is That it is Mr. Bush who seems to be the real "flip-flopper". Mr. Bush opposed Nation building during his 2000 campaign for the presidency saying "If we don't stop extending our troops all around the world in nation-building missions, then we're going to have a serious problem coming down the road." He then reversed that opinion saying "We will be changing the regime of Iraq, for the good of the Iraqi people." He had to backtrack on his assertion "You can't distinguish between Al Qaeda and Saddam when you talk about the war on terror." He would later state "We've had no evidence that Saddam Hussein was involved in Sept. 11." He even "flip-flopped" on Osama bin Laden. Just days after 9/11 he announced in reference to Osama "I want justice. And there's an old poster out West, I recall, that says, 'Wanted: Dead or Alive.'" When questioned about Bin Laden during his 3/13/02 press conference he quipped "I don't know where he is. I have no idea and I really don't care. It's not that important.".
RESEARCH AND READ! Come to your own conclusions. Do not let others or myself do your thinking for you. It is everyones RESPONSIBILITY to be a well informed voting citizen.*

[PittPoliSci]

1. good!

but correct this usage error before publishing.

"Plans that were ignored buy the Bush Administration. "

There were others too, check it over.

[balanced]

2. Can we say regarding Kerry's alleged flip-flop that he and

other members of Congress were misled by the Bush administration?

[HomeSchoolTeach]

3. I dunno. The 'Research and Read' thing is a little condescending

Too much of it. I happen to organize letter-writing campaigns. My advice to them is: Deal in facts only, complete with sourcing. Avoid inflammatory, repetitive, or condescending language. Never attempt to inflame. It will turn more people away from your point of view. You are much more effective if you let your facts and evidence do the talking. People are much more receptive to a message if put in a positive tone.
It sounds more like your aim is to stick it to this Cox guy. I think you can be much more effective if you don't come off just as partisan as he is.

[illini]

4. whooops to late.

nt