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Letter: Finances, not military cuts are threatening our nation
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Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said that if automatic budget cuts go into effect, this could make the United States a "second-rate" power. This is nothing but scare tactics on his part. We have by far the most expensive, high-tech, sophisticated military in the world and that's not going to change any time soon. There is also a tremendous amount of waste and duplication in the military. Do we really need 800 military bases in almost every country around the world, many of them going all the way back to World War II? This is billions of dollars being spent and most people have no idea where it goes. So where has this very expensive and high-tech military got us? Arguably, we have not really won a war since World War II. Sure, we have fought wars in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and now, Afghanistan. We have lost thousands of lives and spent billions of dollars and ended up with a gracious withdrawal; no real victory. In the last 10 years, we have fought an enemy who uses home-made bombs and weapons dating back to World War II and our high-tech, expensive military really hasn't won. They, the enemy, is just waiting for us to leave. A strong defense is necessary in today's world. But we can no longer afford to be the policeman for the whole world. If we don't get our fiscal house in order, we will indeed become a second-rate nation, but not because of our military. Ron Kopko, Cordova 
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Today is Thursday, June 20, the 171st day of 2013. There are 194 days left in the year.
1863 -- 150 years ago: The latest interpretation of the conscription law is said to be that $800 can be paid for an exemption, in which case the person will be eligible for call ina subsequent draft; or a substitute can be furnished. In the latter case, if the substitute isaccepted, the person he represents is exempted for that draft period.
1888 -- 125 years ago: A floral concert presented by Central Presbyterian Church womenattracted a large crowd yesterday.
1913 -- 100 years ago: Milton Reed, infielder on the Davenport baseball club, has beensold to the Philadelphia National league team.
1938 -- 75 years ago: The State Bank of Rock Island has doubled its capital structure,raising it to $1 million, according to Lewis B. Wilson, president of the bank.
1963 -- 50 years ago: The American Wind Symphony Orchestra will present two concertsin the Quad-Cities on Aug. 6, performing from its specially equipped stage-barge. Thebarge, which is traveling the Mississippi River route, will be moored just off the shore forthe concerts.
1988 -- 25 years ago: Fines for overdue items at the Rock Island Public Library are beingincreased to 10 cents per day per item effective July 1. Fines will not be prorated onbooks returned after that date.
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