Regarding the proposed low-level Air National Guard training flights, the only reason I can see for such flights over land, instead of sea, is to make it easier to pick up the pieces after crashes. I can’t say I find that encouraging.

Capt. Monty Beckel, of Otis Air Force Base in Massachusetts, has described the flights as “almost a safety issue,” and I couldn’t agree with him more.

Rural Maine has homes, farms, schools and towns. And it’s worth noting that Otis Air Force Base, where those flights would originate, is named after a pilot killed when his plane crashed.

The military tried hard to sneak the proposal past the people of Maine, because they know they have nothing to offer us in exchange for their wanting to play war games right over our heads. This is already a poor area with a struggling economy. Residents have a lot to lose from this, besides just peace, quiet and security.

Who would want to buy land here, or come on vacation?

If the pilots have to train, let them do it over the ocean where there’s less effect. And here’s a novel solution: We could insist the military put half its bloated budget into conflict resolution, instead of war.

Sally McGuire, Carthage

Copy the Story Link