According to the respondents of the Question of the day on page 2-A of the Monday, March 10, Independent, 70 percent agreed the CIA should have the right to use any means to get information from suspected terrorists. That 70 percent believe "any means necessary" (presumably including torture) is acceptable behavior disturbs me a great deal.

Does having the power to use whatever interrogation methods we please make any means right? The faith and morality I affirm does not condone using "any means necessary" on enemies or anyone else.

Once upon a time many believed in the Divine Right of Kings to do whatever they wanted. Now, it seems that many believe in the Divine Right of Power to do whatever it wants. Really now, does having the power to torture people make it right? Has sheer power made ethics and morality obselete? I hope not.

Clifford W. Reynolds

Central City

Help, resources available for smokers

Lately, there has been quite a discussion regarding the clean air ordinance passed by the City Council. These public dialogues are healthy for the community. I do not wish to jump into that discussion at this time, but rather to simply remind people the glass is at least half full. We currently have a very good, fair, comprehensive and workable ordinance. It is no less than the one in place in Lincoln which provides the atmosphere so many people enjoy and talk about.

I would also remind your readers that we need to be wary of people from other communities who, in the past, have pointed an accusatory finger at our community and told us what we were doing wrong, relative to public health inspections, etc. Further inspection will reveal that "people who live in glass houses should not throw stones," in other words some are jealous of what we have accomplished with a fair and equal public policy and the only way to validate their unsuccessful deeds is to try and put a stain on what others have accomplished.

Our coalition is currently working with the Central District Health Department and other interested parties to develop a vehicle to provide tools and information to all members of our community so everyone knows the "facts" and we can implement this new ordinance as smooth functionally as possible and everyone can enjoy the benefits of clean air.

Tim Zeleski Prevention Project Coordinator

Tobacco Free Hall County, 219 W. Second St

Teens do lots of good in community

I no longer live in Grand Island, However I continue to follow everything that happens in Grand Island, including sports at all schools.

I am extremely proud that G.I Central Catholic made such an impressive showing at the state tournament.

Personally, if people voice opinions about everything that teens do wrong, fine, but they should be ready to recognize all the good things that teens do, not only for the school system they attend, but what they do for the community they live in. The State Tournament is only one of many examples.

So I ask everyone to keep their eyes and ears open, and mostly keep your minds open. Teens do far more good for the community than all the problems put together.

Steve Donal

O'Neill

U.S. can't afford long-term war

Yesterday's paper (03-10-08) indicated the Iraq War would cost the US taxpayers $12 billion per month in 2008, triple the rate of the war's early years! Projections into 2017 will cost between $1.2 trillion and $1.7 trillion (Congressional Budget Office.) Private projections are $1.7-$2.7 trillion!

Fiscally, our country is in a mess. Our economy is in a recession, increasing our federal budget deficits. The US dollar has declined by more than 40 percent since 2000. In other words, our purchasing power has declined 40 percent! Foreign countries own $7.2 trillion of US dollars. If they start converting US dollars to the euro, our economy will be in further dire straights. Fiscally, we desperately need to get our economic house in order. President Bush's legacy may become like President Hoover's.

Our national debt has almost doubled since 2000 to $10 trillion by the end of 2008. The Tax Reduction Acts of 2001 and 2003 are voo-doo economics during a war. They want to make these permanent? Wake up America, and demand change. Hold our elected officials accountable. What happens when you owe more than you can afford to pay back? Fiscally, our country is broke.

Doug Hahn

Central City