34 - A maverick no more

The following letter was published on August 19, 2008 by
The Star Tribune
Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota

I've always had a great deal of respect for the young John McCain as an American hero who suffered as a prisoner of war. No one can ever take that chapter in his life away from him.

But, in 2008, McCain is making comments about his opponent that are out of sync for a war hero. It seems out of a desperate attempt to score political points.

Obama's attraction is all about the inspiration of trust that is lost in the Bush administration that deceived the country and the world. Sadly, this McCain clings to many of the policies of the Bush administration.

33 - Look who's preaching of long-term consequences

The following letter was published on August 16, 2008 by
The Cape Cod Times
Cape Cod, Massachusetts

These are unbelievable quotes from a nominee of the Republican Party and the president concerning Russia's military offensive in Georgia:

"Russian leaders must understand the severe long term negative consequences of their actions." — John McCain.

"Russia has invaded a sovereign neighboring state and threatens a democratic government elected by its people. Such an action is unacceptable in the twenty first century." — George H. Bush.

The nominee of the Republican Party and the president didn't mention that the fighting started when Georgia, a former Soviet republic, decided to invade the province of South Ossetia. You don't see large crowds protesting around the world against Russia's war, like we saw before and after Iraq was invaded.

Over 100,000 Iraqis have been killed, and over 4,000 US troops have died in a conflict that was preventable. Can the nominee of the Republican Party, who has always supported the war in Iraq, and the president, say the U.S. does not have long term consequences for invading Iraq? Can they also say the US actions were acceptable in the 21st century? In my opinion, because they represent the epitome of hypocrisy and denial, the answers would probably be in the affirmative.

32 - Shooting: a sad moment for everyone

The following letter was published on August 7, 2008 by
The Register
Yarmouth, Massachusetts

It's very hard for so many of us to rise above looking at another human being from another country here in America illegally as one of us. It is as difficult for many in Brazil to accept the unfortunate death of Andre Luiz de Castro Martins. Not only does my heart goes out to the family and friends of the deceased, I understand this moment of sorrow for the officer who was given a set of circumstances and dynamics that required a response. According to what was reported if valid, when Mr. Martins turned his car around in that yard on 41 Baxter Avenue striking Christopher Van Ness's cruiser, options were reduced and Van Ness' training kicked in on the use of deadly force.

I don't think any sane officer on Cape Cod would relish in the thought of being put in that moment when Van Ness pulled his weapon and used it. At that moment Mr. Martins may have been thinking about being deported and away from his family. It is sad to think that his mind may have been flooded only with the thoughts of staying with his family at a moment when clarity was needed to protect his life. His decision, as reported, to continue to run after striking the cruiser reduced officer Van Ness's window of timing on responding in a moment when his training dictated his response.

Estadao, a newspaper dated 7/30/08 in Sao Paulo, Brazil reported the many violations Mr. Martins committed in America, and revealed that Mr. Martins' father, Luiz Carlos de Castro Martins is a retired military police. It is a very sad thought that Martins' father may be more familiar with officer Van Ness' window of timing on responding in that moment his son was shot than any other member of his family.

In retrospect, I believe everyone involved wishes that moment and the speeding vehicle never happened.

31 - Human element on Cape

The following letter was published on August 4, 2008 by
The Boston Herald
Boston, Massachusetts

It's hard for so many to look at another human being here in America illegally as one of us (“Illegal actions, not status, got Cape immigrant killed,” July 30). It is as difficult for many in Brazil to accept the unfortunate death of Andre Luiz de Castro Martins. Not only does my heart go out to the family, I understand this moment of sorrow for the police officer who was given a set of circumstances that required a response.

When Martins turned his car around, striking Christopher Van Ness’ cruiser, the officer’s training kicked in on the use of deadly force. I don’t think any sane officer would relish being put in that moment. And it’s sad to think that Martins’ mind may have been flooded only with the thoughts of staying with his family.

The Sao Paulo newspaper Estadao reported the many violations Martins committed in America and revealed that Martins’ father is a retired military police officer. It’s sad that the father may be more familiar with Van Ness’ window of timing on responding in that moment his son was shot then any other member of his family. In retrospect, I believe everyone involved wishes that moment and the speeding vehicle never happened.