Letters to the Editor 9/11

Osama’s real goal

I believe that Osama Bin Laden’s goal, when his terrorist group attacked the Twin Towers, was not to kill 3,000 innocent civilians. His goal was to severely cripple the United States economically and, by forcing increased expenditures for Homeland Security and the Pentagon, set this country on the path to bankruptcy.

As we look at the country’s scenario today, I have to admit that Osama’s goal is becoming a reality.

In my opinion, George W. Bush made two major mistakes that accelerated the decline of this country and helped Osama get closer to achieving his goal.

The first mistake was to react to a terrorist attack militarily and use the attack to justify the invasion of Iraq (the neoconservatives in his administration provided the cerebral opium).

The other major mistake was to starve the government of needed revenue after plunging the country into two wars. The Republican Congress provided the opium for that.

As we commemorate the Sept. 11 anniversary, let us remember what the goal of the attack really was.

Fabrizio Griguoli

Shell Beach

Rally for the troops

We are very pleased to have Charlie Hines, San Luis Obispo fire chief, as the lead-off speaker for today’s 10th anniversary remembrance of the Sept. 11 attack. The annual barbecue and rally for the troops will be at 1 p.m.

today at Mitchell Park in San Luis Obispo. Firemen were the first responders in New York when terrorists flew hijacked commercial jets into the World Trade Center.

Other speakers to follow include military veterans Hazel McNutt (WWII), John Stillwell (Cold War), Dale Christensen (Vietnam War), and U.S. Marine Corps Major Brian Anderson, stationed at Vandenberg.

We invite you to bring individually packaged food, toiletries and other items that can be shipped to the troops. For details call 541-1880.

Matt Kokkonen

San Luis Obispo

Cambria ceremony

It has been a long 10 years since that day.

As we reflect, it is impossible not to contemplate what we as a nation want the legacy of Sept. 11 to be. The sacrifices of our military and their families have been unbelievable. But those commitments have national days’ of remembrance in both Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

The Sons of the American Legion want the legacy of Sept. 11 to be focused on those who serve as first-responders, those around us who charge into life-threatening situations to save others. More than 400 first-responders died Sept. 11.

Even the actions of the passengers on Flight 93 served as a first response. Their actions on that day should serve as a shining example of the ultimate sacrifice to help strangers.

These are the people we plan to honor in future Sept. 11 memorials.

We invite all to Cambria today to our short ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Hall flagpoles. We will have a solemn remembrance and then celebrate life with free barbecue. Please come and honor our heroes with us. You won’t be disappointed.

Steve Kniffen

Cambria