To the editor,
This is regarding the Herald's Aug. 19 editorial (" Why did it take violence to arrive here? ")
I was taught the Civil War was fought over state rights. For certain states, one of those rights was slavery. The Union won and the United States preserved, slavery was gone and there was some good to all the killing.
Fifty some years ago I sat on a hill in the highlands of southeast Asia doing what the Army had trained me to do. They said we fought the war to stop a different form of government. But in the end, the reason became the death of thousands of people, including the innocents on both sides.
As I see Vietnam-era helicopters at various parks around the state, I do not see the honoring of the killing of people, including children, and should be taken down. But I think of a time in my past and the reason one needs to stay involved and be a part of our future. The long hair freaks of Haight-Ashbury were right.
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It's the same with the Confederacy items. It was a part of our history and again the reason one needs to stay involved. I do not see in these statues the glorification or condoning of their cause for slavery, but for state rights.
I can understand somewhat what you write, but do not endorse it. At least you did not push to remove the written words.
Removing from a site what you feel is wrong is not the answer, but by keeping, it will continue to remind us of the need for understanding, reason and a better path going forward. Crap happens; with 20-20 hindsight we learn and God forgives us if we forget the lesson by hiding what happens.
I see the helicopters on a regular basis but very seldom read about Vietnam.
"Racist" is a word that seems to just flow off the tongue of people nowadays. It is a word that is quick to be used when someone has a different point of view than you. With what it represents, I cannot think of a worse word to call someone. Before using it, make sure it is what it is. Thank you for your time.
Dennis Berg
Rolla, N.D.
