Editor, Times-Union: It was on April 16, 1945, when Soviet armies began their offensive against Berlin, while Western Allies overran Germany from the west. This was just three weeks before Germany surrendered as Allied forces won victory in Europe in World War II. The size of the Russian army for the Berlin attack was staggering, with 2.5 million troops amassed, supported by 41,000 artillery pieces, 6,200 tanks and 7,200 aircraft. On each mile of the front, the Russians deployed 430 heavy artillery pieces (one every 12 feet) which literally pulverized Berlin as the city was overrun. Meanwhile, Hitler's propaganda (news) ministry lied to Berliners by radio and newspaper, reporting that there was no need to be alarmed if they should hear cannon fire around the city. Those booming noises in the east, it was said, were only practice firings of bold German troops, readying an advance that would drive the Russians back to their own soil. The residents of Berlin soon found out otherwise with the looting, killing, rape and deportations of civilians by Russia. Today, America's national news media have forsaken their entrusted patriotic duty as watchdogs of government. News reporters have access to governmental officials that ordinary citizens do not, and are thus empowered to positively affect public opinion by investigative reporting. Public opinion in turn shapes America's very future. The danger is complete uniformity of opinion precedes complete obedience to self-willed government leaders. Here are some news topics reported on prejudicially, one-sidedly, or half heartedly. Uniformly, there is never any dialogue about admission of error, or alternative solutions or corrective action: an embassy attack by Muslim terrorists; global warming; the Keystone Pipeline; mandating ethanol in gasoline; roadblocks to building new refineries; demonizing coal-generated electricity, our least expensive fuel; redefining words such as marriage while legalizing sodomite unions; selling guns to Mexican drug cartels; murdering babies by abortion while decrying the death penalty for capital crimes; excessive presidential vacations; refusing to deport illegal aliens; Obamacare like it or lump it; inciting racial hatred in violent crimes; calling Islamic terrorism “workplace violence”; government benefits to illegal aliens; and reducing deficits by raising the national debt limit. Truth is a very necessary commodity for preserving freedom. You would question our leaders? You should shut up, because everything is going just great. As Hitler's Propaganda Chief Joseph Goebbels shouted in a March 1936 Berlin speech, “There can be no opposition to National Socialism, for the National Socialist is always right. What right have they to criticize?” Our elected officials likewise brook no opposition, and are no longer accountable for their own actions, or their subordinates. We have half-truths, double dealing and underhanded dealing in Washington, compounded by complicit news media abdicating to those in power. America needs honest, in-depth scrutiny of government in the public interest. Without truth, government of the people, by the people, and for the people will continue our decline into socialism or despotism. Demand the truth. Vote carefully. Rick Wagner Pierceton, via email
