Apology Demanded

Occasionally I write guest columns for Highlands Today. I enjoy writing and research my subject(s) thoroughly. Nonetheless, opinion articles are located on the opinion page for a reason. I honor a person's right to present their views in the public forum, and I thoroughly enjoy it when others comment about my writing whether their comments are positive or negative.

I often learn from such comments. For example, Randy Ludacer criticized a couple of items in my column. Mr. Ludacer's words of criticism were respectful and backed up with opinions of merit. I learned from Mr. Ludacer's insightful comments. I will not, however, permit anyone to slander my character without an appropriate response.

George Moon critized my patriotism in two portions of his recent column, "Legacy Of Failure Is A Fluke." Mr. Moon quoted a segment of my recent commentary, "Our military has been decimated by the irresponsible and incompetent decisions by the former Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld and the flawed leadership in the Bush White House." Moon responded, "Our military is only decimated in the minds of its haters."

I spent a career in the military service of our nation. I vehemently resent him calling me a hater of the military. In another portion of the article, Mr. Moon writes, "The claims made in the "Legacy of Failure" article (a comment that I wrote) "are similar to those of all the haters of President Bush and America." Once again, I do not hate President Bush, although I agree with very little that he does or doesn't do. As for insinuating that I hate America and our military, those are fighting words, Mr. Moon, and I demand an apology.

Bud Morgan
Avon Park