Mr. Obama, without safety we have nothing

 

The Jan. 10 Post-Gazette buried on Page A-11 the article "Obama's Intelligence Team to Dramatically Change Bush Policies," which underscores the fears voters had in electing Barack Obama.

President Obama better not err -- for there is no room for error -- in his break with policies of George W. Bush's administration, which indeed kept our country safe. The policies he intends to undo include "shutting down the Guantanamo Bay prison facility and ending CIA use of 'enhanced' interrogation techniques."

Mr. Obama asserts: "Under my administration, the United States does not torture." He added that banning such methods "will make us safer and will help in changing hearts and minds in our struggle against extremists."

Morally, Mr. Obama's assertions have merit, but is he right? Let's not forget what we are dealing with since 9/11, etc. -- extremists who have no morals, heart or feelings for us other than our destruction. Lose sight of this and we are doomed. We need to do whatever it takes to make our citizens safe. Our economic woes mean nothing without our safety … otherwise, Mr. Obama will certainly be a one-term president.

HARRY A. FLANNERY
New Castle