SNA

Another anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks has come and gone (Californian 9/12) with no call for a new investigation.

As we get further from the day itself, now 13 years, it is apparent more unanswered questions remain about that fateful day than real answers.

A large majority of Americans continue to accept the official account of the attacks, as presented by the George W. Bush administration shortly after the attacks, that al-Qaeda led by Osama Bin-Laden was responsible. We accept Bush’s honesty in fingering Bin-Laden, despite the fact that same George W. Bush administration asserted, with a brazen abandon not seen in any previous presidential administration, untruth after untruth in accusing Iraq of possessing weapons of mass destruction. Untruths ultimately leading to the 2003 war on Iraq. False pretenses to create a war that in any justice-oriented world would be constituted as a war crime.

The destruction of three buildings of the World Trade Center are viewed by many experts in controlled demolitions as controlled demolitions Many experts, who have investigated commercial airliner crashes, are perplexed at the lack of debris at both Pennsylvania and Pentagon crash sites.

And it remains absolutely unacceptable that standard operating procedure was not followed on 9/11 as it should have been – without delay – in scrambling fighter jets to intercept commercial airliners that have lost communication and have gone off course. If standard operating procedure had been followed in the manner as it is outlined all four hijacked airliners would have been intercepted and dealt with. It is also unacceptable that President George W. Bush continued to read to schoolchildren in Florida as it became apparent that three other commercial airliners were not communicating with air traffic control and had gone off course.

And to this day the FBI has not produced any direct evidence linking al-Qaeda and Bin-Laden to the 9/11 attacks.

Because various lawsuits related to the 9/11 attacks have resulted into a more objective look into the known record, many families of victims from the 9/11 attacks, not satisfied with the George W. Bush administration’s less-than-thorough investigation are calling for a new investigation. As are millions of other Americans.

We want the truth.

Charles Birimisa

Watsonville

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

This letter is in response to the letter from a reader who questioned whether Israel’s response to thousands of rockets was legitimate self-defense. I would ask her and those who protested with her what her response would be if thousands of rockets were fired from Tijuana into San Diego? What would her response be if tunnels were discovered under her house with plans to kidnap her and her family? That is exactly what happened when Israel launched it’s recent battle in Gaza. Israel discovered miles of tunnels, some 100 feet deep. Missiles were aimed at the civilian airport, at schools and residential areas.

As far as the blockade of Gaza, this letter writer doesn’t want readers to know that hundreds of tons of food, medicine and other supplies enter Gaza every month from Israel. The blockade is to stop material that can be used (as it was) for building tunnels and bunkers as well as metal for rockets.

Hamas is an Islamic terrorist organization every much as ISIS. They have taken money and supplies meant to help the people of Gaza and used it to build an arsenal. “Bombs not food” could be their motto. Don’t be fooled. Through our contributions to the U.N. we are assisting Hamas, as many Hamas members are on the payroll of the United Nations. Read the Hamas Charter where it says “Allah is its target, the Prophet is its model, the Koran its constitution, Jihad is its path and death for the sake of Allah is the loftiest of its wishes.”

Our support of Israel is critical in our fight against Islamic extremism.

Gil Stein

Aptos

SHAME ON CONGRESS

Congress does it again. They took a five-week recess in August to campaign, went back to DC on Sept. 8 and now another recess days later to campaign.

What is wrong with Congress? The ISIS threat is on the table, our president needs backing on this explosive situation, there are Congressional bills requiring attention. Where is Congress? On vacation to campaign.

Is Congress thinking about the threat of another war? Are they thinking about the thousands of our veterans who need help? Is the VA scandal settled? No to these issues and many others.

If we have another war and troops are once again boots on ground, more of our men and women in uniform will die, more will come home broken. Bills that need attention to help our veterans are being sat on – for example, important HR-543 the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange Act is stalled in committee.

What sound advice is Congress giving the president of the terrorist group ISIS?

All Congress is doing is thinking of themselves for the November election. What about our veterans, are they not worth concern and the American people’s concerns, do we all not have a say so? It is shameful!

Stand up America and be counted, voice your opinion. Let Congress know what you think is best.

John J. Bury, US Navy (Ret.)

Media, Pa.

PROUD TO BE FROM THE SECOND LEAST EDUCATED CITY IN AMERICA

What is the most memorable day of my life? It was the day I graduated from California State University Fresno. I can still remember the sense of accomplishment I felt as I walked into the Latino commencement ceremony. I was the first in my family to achieve such accomplishment. I remember tears of joy running through my mother’s face as she hugged me. Esther, my mother, came to this country at the age of 14, with only a third-grade education and a heart full of dreams. On this memorable day, she had accomplished her dream, a better life for her daughter. It was not only my graduation, it was ours.

I attribute my drive, perseverance and work ethic to the community of Salinas. A community composed of thousands of immigrant farm workers who just like my mother modeled for me what it takes to achieve success. Ever since I can remember I witness them performed hard labor that many of us, Americans, refuse to do. I knew from an early age that sitting in classroom and learning was a luxury, one that most people in the world do not have.

As I make my drive on Tuesday mornings to San Jose State University and I pass through Boronda Road and see all mi gente working so hard, I am inspired and humbled at the opportunities I have been given! May 16, 2015 I will graduate from San Jose State University with a master’s degree in social work. I will have in spirit this lovely community of Salinas! It has not been easy to get to this point, navigating through an educational system that is not designed for the children of immigrants has been difficult but si se puede (yes, you can)!!

Veronica Velazquez

Salinas

A VOTE AGAINST ALEJO

It is becoming more and more apparent that the general population is becoming more and more disgusted with the actions of our elected representatives. One prime example is the Bill 1609 proposed by Assemblyman Luis Alejo of District 30 and now on the Governor’s desk for his signature. This bill is very ill conceived, asinine in concept, basically unenforceable as a law and smacks of favoritism to one small group that would benefit enormously from its passage – the firearms dealers.

This is another attempt by the of the “gun control” movement to restrict our constitutional rights. This bill would make it illegal for anyone to bring in their personal possession of a firearm into the state of California without going through a licensed firearm dealer, paying a hefty fee and waiting for a permit to be issued, collect all the personal information on the firearm owner, register the owner with the gun control advocates, and all those other personal intrusive actions our government is now into.

It appears this assemblyman is not a representative of the people but rather of the special interests at the expense of the people of California. Would he close our borders and inspect every vehicle entering California?

Mr. Alego is showing his vulnerability to manipulation by special interests, his ineptness to represent the best interests of the people of California and his incompetence to propose “good” legislation. I suggest the voters of District 30 consider these facts at the next election.

Robert Bowen

San Marcos