To the Editor:

Yes, in our world today there are both interesting and devastating happenings.

If one listens and watches for only a short period of time, your minds are tuned to tune out.

And yet, one has to wonder what the United States’ position in the world is and do we currently have any influence for good?

But, we only have to look at home to see just as much devastation. And that brings us to the children arriving unannounced from South America at our boarders! What United States of America understanding and position(s) led to this frightening situation? Have you seen pictures of these children, looking as though they were captured on a battle field and “poured” into whatever open space that could be found? They looked like they were lying on top of one another.

How could this possibly happen in today’s America? Are we to believe with all of our national and international surveillance that this just occurred out of the blue? I think not!

What will be the consequence of this “invasion?” Individuals with lice, other types of diseases have already been reported and the general condition of these children must be terrible. Remember, they had to travel for weeks and months without the ability to bathe, eat properly, to be treated for any abnormalities, etc.

The influx into our school systems will be devastating, with no English and no doubt having little, if any, education from whence they came. And let’s not fall for the fact that individuals that come from this part of the world must have a hearing before a judge to see if they qualify for entrance to the United States – baloney. This could take weeks, months or years, and by that time they are already assimilated into our society and, just do not show up for their hearing and bingo – they are here forever. This will cause an incalculable burden on health care, schools and all services that they will become eligible for.

My fellow citizens, this total lack of understanding of how the world works (the human side of all casualties and situations), leadership, and a solid willingness to make the tough decisions, even going against popular thinking; as history has proven, real leaders will do, knowing that it is the right thing to do – and history proving them right, is not happening.

Roosevelt led us into World War II, Kennedy the Cuban crises, Reagan the Cold War. History shows us many other instances, but the theme through all was presidents who were willing and able to go against public opinion, knowing that history would be the judge! Nothing proves leadership more.

For me this is all very sad and it brings to mind my experience roving the “Iron Curtain countries” with a Captain John Sheftell (since deceased, his wealthy Jewish family was driven out of Russia during the 1917 revolution), an English paratrooper who spoke 13 different languages and was a man who had the ability to almost know all. A more brilliant man, I have never met. He was introduced to us by our international company as my associate for negotiating in that part of the world in the ’60s. Among many things he taught me, was this: “If you are walking down a road and you see a man all bloody and dying, you will never forget that image, but if you see in the distance a large passenger plane crash, killing all, your mind will not accept that image over time; it is too much pain and burden.”

I stoutly believed that is where the citizens are today, just how much we can absorb before our mind shuts down?

Here is my solution for all to live by: “Life, family and love; love being the greatest of all!”

If we live our lives truly understanding and living by these simple but powerful words, we will not only survive, but prosper.

Richard Tomlins

Cranston