Published: June 13, 2009 08:37 pm      

LETTERS: June 14, 2009

WWII vet thanks today’s soldiers



A look back on my life provides pride in my time as a soldier in World War II. I was drafted to go to war. After several weeks of basic training, our soldiers were ready to go to war.

Today, our soldiers were already in uniform and ready to go to war with no training — hats off to them and a military salute. There was no guarantee who or how many would return home. However, our president had to make a decision what to do and I think he and our soldiers, in my book, got the main weapon of mass destruction, “Saddam Insane,” which makes me proud of our soldier men and women in this war.

We lost a lot of good soldiers at Normandy Beach, France, and I was on that beach 20 days after D-Day. On our way to victory, I was lucky — thank God — to come home alive. I was in a war zone for 25 months. I saw enough of war. I would write to my wife and tell her, with my fingers crossed, that I would be OK. God was on my shoulder. I don’t know which one, but I made it home at the age of 24.

Now I am 102, raring to go, but can’t go from raring. Never drank or smoked. I vote every year. About voting, you win some and lose some.

I haven’t written to my readers for a while as I have been ill some and traveling some, helping my wife with the dishes ...

I will do my best to write more. I’ll do my best to write to you, good people, more often. Until then, may God watch over us while we are absent one from the other.

Here’s a joke: Your back goes out more than you do. And, you’re 17 around the neck, 42 around the waist, and 96 around the golf course.

P.S. I would like to encourage you, good parents, to write the story of your life for your family and friends. The title of my book is “If My Mind Doesn’t Fail Me, I’ll Write the Story of My Life.” You will be glad you did.

— Deb Snelling, New Albany





Reader: ‘If you don’t like Theatair X, don’t patronize it’



As a 40-year resident of Clarksville, I am tired of seeing ads and reading letters from people who live in New Albany, Charlestown, Louisville and surrounding areas voicing their ideas about Theatair X. These people want the business prosecuted or closed for minor infractions, such as staying open too late or having inner structures that block the view of the manager.

In all the time I have lived in Clarksville, I have never been inside Theatair X, but I know it is an adult book, video, and toy shop. And should I want to see or be there, it is my right to do so. Surely, the citizens of Louisville, New Albany and Charlestown have enough stores and issues in their own communities to occupy their energies.

I agreed with removing the outdoor screening of X-rated movies at the old Theatair X drive-in because it could cause major distraction on the adjoining highway, where 40-foot tall nudity could be seen. But what goes on inside a store for adults only is not my concern, unless it involves minor children or people who are there against their will.

Since all who enter must be older than 18 and are not forced to be there, why is Theatair X of such interest to those who don’t live in the same community?

All the major investors along Veterans Parkway were not deterred by the small-town adult bookstore. If other citizens don’t like the business, they need not patronize it.

I actually believe all the negative press has acted like a promotional campaign for Theatair X, which has more cars in the parking lot than ever before. And I much prefer seeing the cars at Theatair X to seeing voyeurs in cars at the local schools, parks, pools and malls.

Anything one could see at Theatair X can just as easily be viewed on today’s Internet, which is readily accessible to underage youth. Perhaps these organizations and individuals could better direct their efforts to stopping pornography and prostitution on the Internet and leave Theatair X to the adults who desire to patronize it.

To even suggest that the Clarksville Police Department and its chief are protecting this business is beyond absurd. It borders on libel, also prosecutable.

To all the critics, I say, if you don’t like Theatair X, don’t patronize it. No patrons, no business.

Thank you for allowing me to express my opinion.

— Mary Deel, Clarksville