Maybe it’s time to update Bill of Rights

I followed the discussion concerning the right of bearing arms for a while now. I observed that the Founding Fathers have a status of saints if not God him/herself. It sounds like the document they created 200 years ago has been given a supernatural value the same that Bible is associated with.

However, we all need to remember that even if the Founding Fathers were very wise, they could not see the future. The world has changed since, and it will change in future. Such a document should be revised and adjusted by other wise men and women who are present at any time in history, and who can oversee the implications of their times. Such processes do exist in other countries which also had their own wise people creating their constitutions.

As to the right of bearing arms itself: I am sure it was necessary at the time, when the country did not have reliable police or even a military. It was a time when people had to protect themselves in case of violent disputes or attacks. However, now we strive to change such procedures. That is why there are courts, police and other institutions, by no means perfect but on the right way to solve problems without use of violence.

Bea Michalik, Corvallis

Bush’s plan: Fight them there, not here

In response Christine Gross’ July 18 letter, “More to post 9/11 terror attacks”:

Just a reminder from this proud father of a son in the Navy, who is serving on the USS John Stennis: The point this president has made since the attack on 9/11: It is better to fight them there than fight them in the United States.

David Gumm, Corvallis

Dih Qar U grateful for OSU textbooks

My name is Hayde Ibrahim from Dih Qar University, and we were very happy to read (the July 8 article, “OSU grad books deal.” Cpt. (Joshua) Mater has been a great help to our university and city. We hope to see him soon, and we always pray for him. We can’t wait too receive (the 200 engineering textbooks) so that our students can learn and help our city.

The chairman of Dih Qar university, Ali Obamed, is working on obtaining his visa and soon will be in Oregon.

We thank Oregon State University for helping our country and our students, who are the future. We thank everyone who made this (book grant) possible.

Dhi Qar University thanks Cpt. Joshua Mater!

Hayder Ibrahim, Dih Qar University, Dih Qar

Fourth of July fete a bang-up success

The “All American, Anyone Can Join, Fabulous, Fantastic, Fourth of July Parade” was a rousing success this year, thanks to all the volunteers who helped make it work.

The Corvallis Fire Department and Chief Roy Emery sponsored the event, and loaned parade organizers the use of its insurance coverage (a serious requirement these days). The fire truck with a bucket enabled diva Delaney Deaver to sing the “Star Spangled Banner” from a vantage point to start the parade.

The police department’s motorcycle squad led the parade, which filled Monroe Avenue from side-to-side between Eighth Street and First Street, drawing an estimated 600 marchers — counting dogs, llamas, horses, bicycles, cars and tractors. More than 1,000 people lined the route to watch, and to catch the candy that the paraders threw.

Thanks to the volunteers who stopped traffic along the route, many of whom have been parade volunteers for many years. David Lin, Barbara Lachenbruch, Gayle and Even Evenson, Courtney Cloyd, and Ann Staley, Jay Thatcher, Paul Gruener, Clair Pate, Carol Mason, Tim Oliver, Carol Rathbun, Mike Riccitelli, Kent Daniels, Mark Sherman, and special thanks to Bill Cohnstedt and Gene Johnson, who set up and took down the “Parade Ahead” signs.

Best of all, the parade didn’t cost the city anything and furnished a forum that gave our local politicians a safe way to spend the holiday.

Steven Black, Corvallis

9/11: Worst defense since Pearl Harbor

In his July 16 letter, John Brenan praised George Bush for saving us from Arab terrorist attacks for 2,500 days since 9/11. Wow! The earth hasn’t been destroyed by a giant comet. Praise Bush! We haven’t had devastating earthquakes, massive plagues or great swarms of locusts. Hallelujah, saved again! Of course, there weren’t any Arab terrorists attacks on the United States for 3,119 days before 9/11 (the first World Trade Center attack was on Feb. 26, 1993), but I guess Brenan also credits Bush for saving us even before he became president! Praise the Great Bush; weren’t we saved again!

The fact is glaring: Republicans failed miserably to protect the United States from Arab terrorist attacks. The 9/11 attack was the worst failure of national defense since Pearl Harbor. It happened on George’s watch, and the dumb conservative Republicans were caught with their pants around their ankles.

The Bush administration is the most ineffective, incompetent and irresponsible in history — a total, miserable failure in every way. The economy is a mess. American jobs are flowing overseas. The Euro has replaced the dollar as the currency of choice. The United States trails third-world countries in health care. American prestige is the lowest in history. The terrorist threat is greater than ever.

Osama bin Laden promised to drive America into bankruptcy and Bush has handed that prize to him on a golden platter — made of trillions of our tax dollars squandered on war and fat contracts to his rich Republican buddies. How can anyone praise these bungling Republican idiots?

Phillip Hays, Corvallis