Letters to the Editor for June 11, 2013

Commemorate Flag Day

June 14 is National Flag Day. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Schick-Ogle Post 4278 asks that local residents commemorate this day by flying our national flag.

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress adopted a flag that “shall be 13 stripes, alternate red and white, with a union of 13 stars of white on a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

This was the birthday of U.S. as we now know it, and June 14 is now celebrated as “Flag Day.” However, there was no mention as to the arrangement of the stars on the union or the proportions of the flag. This flag was first hoisted at seas by John Paul Jones on the Ranger, July 4, 1777, although there are a number of authorities who claim that the first Stars and Stripes displayed in battle was at the Battle of Bennington, Vt., Aug. 16, 1777.

Dale Dutter, VFW Schick-Ogle Post 4278 Camas-Washougal

A classic catch 22

I am gratified to see many Americans do not approve of the intent and scope of the Patriot Act.

The original sin was committed by ex-President Bush and the Republican and Democratic House and Senate. Sen. Russ Feingold alone stood against it.

If the gathering of phone numbers and emails offend you, complain to your Republican oversight committee members. They are the majority in power now. From May 2009 to May 2011, the Congressional, the judiciary and the intelligence oversight committee members held six hearings, two briefings and two meetings. Consensus was that most congressional members didn’t understand the information they were given, couldn’t talk about it, or even ask experts for an explanation. A classic catch 22 situation.

Sen. Feingold, the ACLU and I would be glad to help the original sinners to their knees to beg forgiveness. Want to join us now?

Celia Louderback, Vancouver