Letters: War, Border Fences and 'the Best R&B'
Michele Norris and Melissa Block read from this week's listener e-mails. We hear differing views on the new rules governing embedded journalists covering the war in Iraq, which require soldiers to consent to being named in a story or photograph. There's also a correction to an interview with U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), praise for a story about a proposed border fence in Texas, and one man's discovery of "the best R&B music I've bought in a long time."
MICHELE NORRIS, host:
Thursday is the day we read from your e-mail.
MELISSA BLOCK, host:
And we'll begin with response to Andrea Seabrook's story about the military's new rules for war reporters and photographers. Embedded journalists now need to get permission from each soldier they name in a story or a photo. In the past, troops were just given the ability to opt out of news coverage.
This comment comes from Tom Disen(ph) of Scottsdale, Arizona.
NORRIS: As a veteran, I was told hundreds of times during my service that I had given up my privacy and my civil rights when I signed the papers to join up, says Disen. I believe that these soldiers are valiant warriors, but to imply that the truth should not be told is to disrespect them, the citizens of this country, and the democracy they are sworn to serve.
BLOCK: Army veteran Peter Shusler(ph) of Savannah, Georgia, has a different view. He writes: to think that the military's policy of getting a release from individual soldiers, as a political move is absolutely absurd. That policy has nothing but the soldier's well being in mind and only help solidify their loyalty. It is stories like these that make soldiers distrust the press. He goes on, I feel that the press is an integral part of our democratic society and the public does have a right to know, but they don't necessarily need the information in real time or need to know the name of the person to understand the war.
NORRIS: A correction now to my interview with Democratic Congressman Earl Blumenauer of Oregon. He introduced a bill that would help displaced Iraqis find refuge in the U.S., especially those who worked for the American government and international organizations. Well, the congressman's office e-mailed to let us know that he misspoke when he said that there are as many as 70,000 a day leaving their homes in Iraq. According to his staff, Congressman Blumenauer meant to say that figure is per month and that does square with you on estimates.
BLOCK: Last week, we heard some reactions to the federal government's plan to build a fence along the border with Mexico.
Mr. J.D. SALINAS (Judge, Hidalgo County, Texas): If people are willing to travel through the desert of Arizona to come work in the United States of America, do you think they're not going to be able to jump the fence? It does not make sense to spend this money this way.
BLOCK: That's J.D. Salinas, judge and administrator for Hidalgo County in the Rio Grand Valley in Texas. He's one of a number of people there with doubts about the fence.
NORRIS: Great story, writes Tim Sullivan of Mission, Texas. No one is more familiar with these issues than the elected officials, business people, labor groups, law enforcement authorities and community activists who live here. And this is one issue they all agree on, that border fencing will not stop illegal activity especially in the Rio Grand Valley, where city borders and private ranch and farmland stretch right up to the river.
(Soundbite of song, "I Found a Love")
Mr. RYAN SHAW (Singer): (Singing) I found a love that I need.
BLOCK: That's the voice of Ryan Shaw, the young soul singer who Michele spoke with last week.
NORRIS: And after hearing the interview, John Drake(ph) of Irving, Texas, found something he needed.
BLOCK: Drake writes Shaw inspired me to bypass the turn off to my home and steer directly to the music store. A few moments later, I was once again heading home but this time while listening to some of the best R&B music I bought in a long time. I was once again thankful for ALL THINGS CONSIDERED as well.
NORRIS: Whether you're thankful or hopping mad, write to us. Go to npr.org and click on Contact Us at the top of the page.
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