To the editor:
Don Skarda did an excellent job of responding to Tony Magliano’s article in the August 19 Catholic Herald concerning the United States’ use of atomic bombs.
I had the honor of having been on active duty in the Navy when the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan and was anticipating the strong possibility of being involved in the invasion of Japan.
To the editor:
According to a recent study by the Heritage Foundation, allowing even portions of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts to expire would have devastating consequences to the Second Congressional District. We would lose nearly 2,000 jobs annually, see a decrease of over $6,000 per household in disposable personal income, and face district-wide individual income tax hikes totaling more than $1.2 million.
Apparently, Tammy Baldwin is okay with these dire predictions because she and her colleagues in Congress had the opportunity to extend the tax cuts before they left Washington, but the decision was made not to vote on the extension.
As we continue our reflections during Respect Life Month, my thoughts this week turn to the increasing incidents of violence in our world.
It seems as if violence is so prevalent today, from abortion to domestic violence, from gang violence to human trafficking, from war to the death penalty, from destroying human embryos for research to physician-assisted suicide.
To the editor:
I was deeply saddened as I read the articles written by Steven Maurice and David Kuhle for the September 30 issue of the Catholic Herald in response to a column by Fr. Peter Daly.
To the editor:
The editorial “Respecting All Human Life” (Catholic Herald, October 7, 2010) correctly points out that the most vulnerable among us, the babies in the womb, lack the protections needed to safeguard their lives. The article lists many good things that we can do to protect these children, such as prayer and witness through 40 Days for Life.
However, we voters have another opportunity to take positive action to protect the most vulnerable and this is by not voting for those who have a track record of being pro-abortionists.
To the editor:
In response to Don Skarda’s article, “Dropping bombs was seen as necessary” (Catholic Herald, September 16, 2010), I think it is important to point out other elements that ought to be examined in an argument for or against military actions.
Sometimes, with regard to the dropping of atomic bombs on Japan, two arguments seem to arise. One is the argument that American lives were saved. The second argument is the one posited by Mr. Skarda in his article. It usually begins with the equivalent of “they started it.”
October as Respect Life Month prompts us to think about all aspects of human life. Our Catholic faith emphasizes the dignity of human life from the womb to the tomb.
Between the womb and tomb, we require the basics of food, clothing, and shelter to survive. Hopefully most of you reading this have far beyond the minimum daily requirements of all of those essentials.
To the editor:
I write in response to Don Skarda’s letter of September 16 and Ray McCool’s letter of October 7, both in support of the decision to use atomic weapons on Japan in World War II. During this Respect Life month of October, I feel I cannot let these sentiments pass unchallenged as they fly in the face of Catholic teaching.
Both letters make appeals to emotion but refuse to consider the issues of morality involved. I would like to make two points:
To the editor:
On September 26, I had the opportunity to be part of the Sacrament of Confirmation of dozens of young Catholics at St. John Vianney Parish in Janesville. The event was made even more special thanks to the presence of Madison Bishop Robert Morlino. His connection with the young people — speaking to them in a language they understand — and his steadfast defense of basic Catholic values during his address were truly inspiring.
To the editor:
Tony Magliano’s column, “Immigration reform needed” (Catholic Herald, September 16, 2010), is correct on many points, but falls short on one of them. In his article he repeats the worn-out phrase that immigrants perform the work that Americans won’t. Nothing could be further from the truth.
There are thousands of jobs that are being performed by Americans on a daily basis that are not only undesirable but downright dangerous. Jobs, such as foundry work, powerhouses, shipyards, oil fields, etc. — most of which are covered by union contracts and state and federal health and safety regulations that make them attractive to an adventurous few.
