Letters for the week of May 11

Time to bring our troops home
To the editor:
   
Our government reports that April was the deadliest month this year in Iraq, with 67 American soldiers killed. That brings the total near 2,400 dead since the start. Almost 20,000 GIs have been seriously wounded, over half with head injuries; most of the rest have lost eyes, arms or legs. Estimates of Iraqi citizens dead range up to 100,000, with 8,300 reported killed in the past three months.
   We brought down the dictator, trained their police and new army, helped them adopt a new constitution and elect a government, and we rebuilt much more than we destroyed. Our dollar investment is about to bankrupt our government. Just think what that money could have done to fix the Katrina damage, or fix Social Security, or provide medical care to the poorest of our citizens.
   This war has exceeded the length of the Korean Conflict and is nearing the length of the U.S. involvement in World War II. If we have not succeeded to date, when will we? When will enough be enough?
   It is time for the Iraqis to take charge of their nation or go down to another radical Islamic dictatorship of the mullahs, like in Iran. It is time for us to bring home all of our reserve and National Guard soldiers by Labor Day, and the rest all home by Christmas.
   Our president has the same ailment that afflicted Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon — how do we leave without losing face? No one can ever fault the United States; we alone have given more than enough in dollars and blood. It is time to bring our heroic men and women home, and spend our money taking care of our own.
Len DiDonato
Tall Timbers Drive
Lawrence
For birds’ sake, keep cats in
To the editor:
   
National Keep Your Cats Indoors Day on Saturday, if observed, has the potential to save in one day millions of birds nationwide from devastation by cats.
   It is estimated from studies that cats in our country take hundreds of millions of birds a year, and three times as many small mammals. Free roaming cats in our local nature preserves and wildlife corridors are a major problem. In my bird-banding studies in the Sourlands I see the productivity of the ground-nesting migratory birds fluctuate with the presence and absence of feral and free-roaming cats.
   The National Wildlife Federation at its annual meeting in March passed the resolution, "Diminishing the Impact of Feral and Free-ranging Domestic Cats on Wildlife Population," in which they urge "the passage and enforcement of local and state ordinances providing for the humane control of feral and free-ranging domestic cat populations."
   The Humane Society of the United States, on March 20, released its new position on community-based, trap-neuter-return programs, also stating that "the location of colonies is an extremely important issue, and reinforces the need for a community-based approach to ensure that colonies are managed so that impacts on wildlife are minimized."
   Another compelling reason to get physical control your pet cat’s outdoor activities is the potential threat of the avian flu. Because H5N1 has been discovered in cats in Austria, Germany, Thailand and Indonesia, now is the time to be proactive, before the deadly strain hits North America, and step up efforts to get cat control ordinances passed and to conduct education campaigns in the community.
   The American Bird Conservancy has a fact sheet, "How to Make an Outdoor Cat a Happy Indoor Cat," and a flyer, "Healthier, Safer: Indoors," These are available from the conservancy’s Web site, www.abcbirds.org/cats. The Web site also has more information on avian flu.
   As a bird bander and wildlife rehabilitator who knows the devastation of wildlife by cats, I urge cat owners to embrace responsible measures.
Hannah Suthers
View Point Drive
Hopewell
Show soldiers gratitude on Memorial Day
To the editor:
   
Each and every day, the men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces make sacrifices. Unfortunately, some die in the line of duty, making the ultimate sacrifice.
   The liberties and freedom we enjoy as Americans has been preserved only by the blood, sweat, tears and, yes, the very lives of our soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen. Too many take our rights for granted and do not stop to consider that the price of democracy cannot be calculated in monetary terms alone. Human life is so precious that it is priceless. Yet for centuries, men and women have been willing to die for the rights guaranteed by our Constitution.
   As Memorial Day approaches, I wish to remind everyone that they can show their gratitude and respect for those who have died for freedom and democracy by attending one of the many Memorial Day ceremonies and activities that will take place throughout our state. We shall never forget.
Joseph M. Gugliuzza
State Commander
The American Legion
West Hanover Street
Trenton
EMS volunteers are dangerously shortchanged
   
More than a year ago, a report on the state of emergency medical services nationwide found that woefully inadequate funding and training left few responders equipped to respond safely and effectively to terrorist attacks or other catastrophic events.
   Little, if anything, has changed since New York University’s Center for Catastrophic Preparedness and Response released its April 2005 report, "Emergency Medical Services: The Forgotten First Responder."
   Highlights of the report included:
   • of the country’s 900,000 emergency medical technicians (EMTs), most had received less than an hour of training to respond to large-scale terrorist incidents and 20 percent received no training;
   • EMS received only 5 percent of federal bioterrorism grant money; and
   • equipment for 50 percent or more of EMTs and paramedics in 25 states was inadequate for responding to a chemical or biological attack.
   Vital as New Jersey’s EMS system is, funding for these responders — particularly volunteers — remains well below that of police and fire departments. Although no one disputes the essential roles firefighters and police officers perform in emergency situations, we must keep in mind that the EMS-fire-police triad is only as effective as its most neglected partner.
   There is a nationwide shortage of EMTs and paramedics and the forecast looks alarmingly gloomy. Difficult as it is to attract paid EMTs in New Jersey, it’s exponentially more challenging to recruit and retain volunteers. Lack of funding for basic needs such as pagers and gear, let alone community outreach, is a large part of the problem. To combat dwindling volunteer numbers, the New Jersey State First Aid Council constantly explores ways to attract and hold on to more recruits. The nonprofit council represents more than 20,000 EMS volunteers.
   In addition, New Jersey’s volunteer EMTs answer hundreds of thousands of calls every year free of charge. These volunteers have proven they are indispensable during large-scale emergencies.
   New York City’s release last summer of recordings from Sept. 11, 2001 revealed EMS responders – volunteers included – played a much more crucial role in the day’s events than initially reported. Thousands of New Jersey volunteer EMS responders headed to Manhattan or Liberty State Park to offer whatever assistance they could.
   State and federal officials analyzing our vulnerability to another terrorist attack or natural disaster or bird flu outbreak must understand that a well-trained, adequately equipped volunteer EMS corps is critical to any response plan.
   As we prepare to mark National EMS Week May 14-20, I encourage the public to consider who will respond the next time someone dials 9-1-1. Unless state and national legislators view the situation with the urgency it deserves — and until more people step up and volunteer — EMS ranks in New Jersey won’t be able to keep up with the demand.
   For information on becoming an EMS volunteer, call the council at (732) 988-9110 or go to www.njsfac.org.
Sue Van Orden
President
New Jersey State
First Aid Council
Utne Court
Lincoln Park