After reading Bart Stupak's article in the Alpena News, I sat in my chair rather stunned. I felt like I had just been lectured to about something I had done wrong. The article was arrogant and absurd. I don't know anyone who wants the Gitmo detainees moved out of Gitmo and that includes my daughter, who is a teacher in Southern California. Congressman Stupak's article makes it very easy for me to understand how our elected officials, who work for us, get all wrapped up in their self importance and their "elite" mentality along with their knowing what's best for us. What's best for us is to be the U.S.A., be thankful we live here and have the freedom to choose our lives and what we get out of them. I am proud to be an American and live in a country that for centuries has drawn people to its land because they see the opportunities for a better life. People all across the world come here for our freedoms and to fulfill their needs and desires. They don't come for our regulations or because we spend a lot of time thinking about how to make the "International Community" like us more. It's the people of the world that like us, not necessarily their own governments that constrain them and limit their freedom. and that's why they continue to come here.

Ray Fencl

Alpena