Re: “War on Terror Toll”

This seems to me to be another example of American arrogance to imply that the "War on Terror" toll is limited to US military.

Though counts are difficult to come by, the most authoritative one I know of claims 1,300,000 Iraq citizens dead. Considering that only the reason impaired are unaware that the preemptive war in Iraq was unnecessary for our national security I should think that these people, killed at our hands, should be acknowledged. Compared to the USA, Saddam Hussein was benevolent.

I don't know what the toll in Afghanistan is (the country that actually did "harbor" Al Qaeda) but it would have to be at least in the tens of thousands, most of whom were guilty of nothing but living in a country lots of other countries seem to enjoy blowing up. Shouldn't these deaths be added to the count and acknowledged?

Re: “Who's watching the cops?”

While I agree with the previous comment that police officers are under compensated, that does not address the problem of police who overstep their authority or behave inappropriately.

My 24 year old bipolar son who was admittedly unruly and intoxicated, had his face smashed into a car by a Chapel Hill police officer who chose to permanently scare his face rather than use his taser to subdue him. This violence was unnecessary and needlessly caused damage to a car that just happened to be parked at the bar on a New Years Eve.

While we took no action against the police officer, I can't help but wonder how often he resorts to violence. Bad working conditions don't strike me as a good excuse for unnecessary violence and destruction.

Re: “Big dough goes to NBAF PR”

Please help GNAT (Granville Nonviolent Action Team)waste the 1/4 million of ill gotten gains. Go to nobio.org to link to the public comment on the NBAF. Email your elected representatives, again, info at nobio.org. Most importantly, SHOW UP at the DHS public forum on July 29th at the Butner Stem Middle School. Show times are 12;30 to 4:30 and 6:00 to 10:00. Directions at, you guessed it, nobio.org. How many chances do you get to tell the DHS how you really feel? It'll be worth the trip!