The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/122355
The Press-Dispatch H 'Proportional' response Continued from page 2 that of the more sophisticated-sounding proportional response. Back in ancient times, when Carthage attacked Rome, the Romans did not respond "proportionally." They wiped Carthage off the face of the earth. That may have had something to do with the centuries of what was called the Pax Romano—the Roman peace. When Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands in 1982, the British simply sent troops to take the islands back—despite American efforts to dissuade Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher from doing even that. For more than a century since the British settled in the Falkland Islands, Argentina had not dared to invade them. Why? Because, until recent times, an Argentine attack on a British settlement would be risking not only a British counterattack there, but the danger of a major British attack on Argentina itself. That could mean leaving Buenos Aires in ruins. Today, Argentina's government is again making threatening noises about the Falkland Islands. Why not? The most the Argentines have to fear is a "proportional" response to aggression—and the Obama administration has already urged "negotiations" instead of even that. When threats are rewarded, why not make threats, when there are few dangers to fear? Can you think of any war prior to Iraq and Afghani- stan where the United States announced to the world when it planned to pull its troops out? What has this accomplished? "By their fruits ye shall know them." What have been the fruits? First of all, this constant talk in Washington about not only pulling out, but announcing in advance what their pullout timetable was, meant that Iraqi political leaders knew that a powerful Iran was on their border permanently, while Washington was a long way away and intended to stay away. Should we be surprised that the Iraqi government has increasingly come to pay more attention to what Iran wants than to what Washington wants? Once more, vast numbers of American lives have been sacrificed winning victories on the battlefield that the politicians in Washington then frittered away and turned into defeat politically. What about other countries around the world who are watching what the American government is doing? Many have to decide whether they want to cooperate with the United States, and risk the wrath of our enemies, or cooperate with our enemies and risk nothing. There is no need to respond to a North Korean artillery barrage by wiping North Korea off the map. But there is also no need to reassure the North Koreans in advance that we won't. What announcing the doctrine of "proportional" response does is lower the price of aggression. Why would we want to do that? H 'Pulse' of missile defense Continued from page 2 round of saber rattling and missile testing, it has reversed its policy to cut missile defense interceptors in Alaska. Those interceptors now are back in the budget. There is a lot more we can be doing to protect ourselves, though. We have a rudimentary missile defense in place, but we need a network with land, sea, air and space capabilities. That means locating sensors throughout the world and in space. It also means increasing the number of interceptors we have to counter long-range missiles. With a layered system, we have a much better chance of destroying an incoming missile. It might be tempting to dismiss North Korea's threats as just talk, but as Korea analyst Bruce Klingner notes: "It's talk until it happens. We thought it was just talk until they sank a South Korean ship in South Korean water. We thought it was just talk until they shelled a South Korean island." We have the technological know-how and capability to do more than hope for the best. Why take the chance? Wednesday, April 17, 2013 Court report Criminal Docket Pike Circuit Court Joshua D. Kinman petitions for intrastate transfer of probation from Dubois County. Traffic and Misdemeanor Pike Circuit Court Aaron E. Mason charged with domestic battery, a class A misdemeanor. Civil Docket Pike Circuit Court Grant D. Brittain sues Tammy S. Brittain for dissolution of marriage. Audrey Lynn Martinez sues Joseph Michael Martinez for dissolution of marriage. Kathleen A. Timmons and Jerald Timmons sues The Kroger Co. and The Kroger Co. Foundation fka Jay C Food Stores Fund doing business as Kroger East for complaint on damages. Carl A. Cato sues Donna Cato for dissolution of marriage. Cenlar FSB sues Edward J. Wolf, Kimberly R. Wolf and unknown tenant for complaint on note and to C-3 foreclose mortgage on real estate. Fifth Third Mortgage Co. sues John R. Evans and Sarah V. Evans on complaint to foreclose mortgage. Small Claims Pike Circuit Court LVNV Funding LLC sues Adrian P. Jerrell for complaint on account plus costs. Pregnant... or think you are? Call:1-877-257-1084 or Locally Call: 1-812-354-2814 • Free pregnancy testing • Free counseling and info. on pregnancy options. • Confidential counseling for women & men who are suffering from post-abortion syndrome. • Residential Care • Health and assistance referrals. • Training and education. • Assistance in getting baby and maternity clothes washpcc@sbcglobal.net www.washingtonpregnancycenter.com 2013 is coming may 14 call before april 25 to reserve your spot 354-8500 1704 Hart Street • Vincennes 812-882-1191 • rcsappliances.com Mon.-Thurs. 9am-5pm Fri. 9am-6pm, Sat. 9am-5pm H Christians and suicide Continued from page 2 ture of mental illness never subsided. Today, after a fun evening together with Kay and me, in a momentary wave of despair at his home, he took his life." "Kay and I often marveled at his courage to keep moving in spite of relentless pain. I'll never forget how, many years ago, after another approach had failed to give relief, Matthew said, "Dad, I know I'm going to heaven. Why can't I just die and end this pain?" but he kept going for another decade." What would you say to Rick Warren? In a time of need, one man asked of Jesus, "But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us." Struggling with life's problems can overwhelm a person at times, and life becomes unbearable. I do not have an answer to why hopelessness overwhelms those with eternal hope. But I do know one thing. If one can go to heaven with a broken and sick body, one can enter with a sick mind. Think about it, and pray for the Warren family. of equal or lesser value Sale Ends May 1, 2013 Letter to the Editor From over the coffee cup To the Editor: Questions from over the coffee cup at the local watering hole. Where has all the money gone? If through the past years the commissioners hadn't closed any county roads, how much more road repair money would we have? Clue: 700 miles minus 531 certified miles, times $5,000 plus each mile, equals over $845,000 per year. And yes we did sell one road, with an income of $5,000 per year forever, for the cost of a pickup for the county garage. Whose money is it? Are the commissioners really renting a Taxpayer owned, Patoka Township Fire District, building for $300 a month with county Taxpayers money to keep the ambulance in while we study the studies with another study? Are we still renting courthouse space to township government for practically nothing? How much does it cost? Does it really take over $40,000 to administer the spending of only $14,670? If you doubt it, read the yearend reports. The dividing question? If a government office has $173,214 in the bank and needs $29,340 to operate for one year, how many years could it operate without collecting one penny from the taxpayer? From the Coffee Shop Jim Johns Includes Interior & Exterior Paints* , and Exterior Stains. Limit five gallons. *Excludes oil-based paints and floor enamels. Petersburg Hardware/Rental Center v Corner of Fifth and Main Street, Petersburg 354-8350 • Visit us at www.pete.doitbest.com y Monday-Friday: 8am-5pm Saturday: 8am-4pm w