1/08 Letters: Get the full story before condemning the strike that killed Soleimani

Soleimani’s death

After the first attacks on the World Trade Center, Intelligence identified the mastermind: Osama bin Laden.

The U.S. had at least three chances to take him out but Bill Clinton passed on each opportunity. Then, 9/11 happened.

Before we condemn the actions that eliminated Gen. Qassem Soleimani maybe we should take time to get the whole story. This is not the time for political or campaign rants. Let’s hear the facts first. Maybe these actions avoid a sequel to 9/11.

Mike McClain, Wake Forest

Wag the Dog?

Whenever there is an upcoming presidential campaign, the incumbent is often tempted to start a “Wag the Dog” war effort. This would be particularly tempting if one is under impeachment.

President Trump’s ordering the killing of Iran Gen. Qassem Soleimani might well fall into that category. In any case there is a wide range of unintended Middle East consequences still unfolding with the administration trying to use the rationale of imminent threat prevention, though the threat has yet to be identified by the much maligned intelligence community.

The Republican Party is blindly falling in line on both the Senate impeachment trial — despite available witnesses — and the necessity of killing the general. This could be called the tail “Wagging the Elephant.”

Robert P. Kennel, Holly Springs

Commuter rail

GoTriangle’s $1.8 billion estimate for the cost of commuter rail (Jan. 8) is roughly in line with what was expected when we advanced the Wake County Transit Plan in 2016, and emphasizes the need for federal participation.

Federal participation requires regional cooperation and effort. I hope that Durham’s concerns expressed in the article will be met and Durham will be able to get on board and get this done with Wake County.

Durham Commissioner Heidi Carter sets up a false choice between bus and train. What is needed is a transportation system where all elements work together. Yes, we need to serve those who are dependent upon bus transit.

But the ultimate goal is not to have a bus system that serves only those who are dependent on it. The ultimate goal is to make it so all people can choose to use transit because it is the most convenient, economical and safe way to get around town.

That’s a vision for a connected community and one we can all get behind.

John D. Burns, Raleigh,

Former Wake County commissioner.

Pellet industry

Regarding “Slow Burn” (Jan. 3)... It is clear that the N.C. wood pellet industry has been a financial boon to forest landowners, loggers, transporters and the rest of the pellet industry employees.

Nonetheless, the true measure of the CO2 produced by burning pellets versus coal or natural gas, much less wind or solar power must be a full “life cycle analysis.” That includes the fuel and CO2 produced by harvesting the wood, transporting it to the mill, grinding, heating and compressing it into pellets, transporting it to the port, loading the ships and sailing it to Europe, unloading and transporting the pellets to the power plant, and then powdering the pellets to co-fire with coal dust to finally produce electricity.

When that is all added up, there is no way wood pellets make sense as “neutral” CO2 emitters. Added to all of this is the seven to 30 years it takes to produce a pine tree, the 30 to 80 years it takes to produce a hardwood, and the realization that there is no guarantee the landowner will replant at all.

This whole industry hinges on a flawed European Union policy and European subsidies. It is possible that the industry will provide a financial incentive for landowners to plant trees, but let’s not kid ourselves that this does anything to help CO2 emissions.

Robert D. Brown, Cary

Retired dean, NCSU College of Natural Resources

War protesters

To the Jan. 7 Forum writer who said anti-war protesters don’t support our troops and our country, nothing could be further from the truth.

Of course we support our troops, they are our sons and daughters. We don’t want see them squandered in useless and endless Mid-East wars.

After almost 20 years of war and multiple deployments of our young people, we have nothing to show for it. Can this be good for our country? I served in the military, two of my kids served in the military on multiple deployments. I think we anti-war people are completely justified in our position. Unlike most of the politicians advocating more war, we have actual skin in the game.

Paul Staley, Franklinton

Sen. Thom Tillis

Regarding Thom Tillis’ birthday blunder suggesting his loyal base sign an online birthday card to Eric Trump. (Jan. 7 Editorial) Sen. Tillis probably has in mind new lyrics to “Happy birthday to You” — “Happy Re-election to meeeeeeeee!”

Martha Glass, Cary

This story was originally published January 8, 2020 at 5:00 AM.