LETTERS: Learn to swim now, veterans back ending Iraq war and more

Learn to swim now, before it's too late

It seems each week I read another horrific drowning story .

As a surfer for more than 15 years, I am fortunate to be an excellent swimmer, but it was no accident. My parents put my siblings and me in swimming classes at 4 years old. Today you can start even younger.

Parents need to stop procrastinating about teaching their children - or themselves - how to swim. It is one of the most important things to learn and it is so often overlooked until it's too late. An accident can happen in only a few seconds, and a drowning in only a few very short minutes.

Anyone who cannot swim should not have access to any open bodies of water without being accompanied by a skilled swimmer.

Swimming is an amazingly enjoyable and healthy activity that we should all revel in, not fear.

Carolyn Mandelino, Massapequa

Unforeseen 'storm'?

Friday's front-page contained the headline: "CONFIRMED: Senate approves Kagan for Court" . A headline right below it read: "STORM WATCH: Hurricane season could get nasty."

My question is, Was that an editorial pun intended?

Robert Parente, Patchogue

Countless veterans back ending Iraq war

Regarding "Iraq vet: Don't cut-and-run" : Neither the Bush administration nor the Obama administration have been able to define victory in Iraq. How will we know when we are the victors? How will we know when the mission is accomplished?

There are countless veterans across this country who firmly believe that we cannot get our troops out of harm's way fast enough.

Raymond Zbikowski, St. James

Editor's note: The writer is assistant coordinator of Veterans For Peace Raheen Tyson Heighter Memorial Chapter 138 and a member of Vietnam Veterans Against the War.

While we're at it, enforce speeding, too

A letter writer suggested police cars should be placed at red lights to help balance the budget .

What is needed are patrols on the Autobahn, known once as Sunrise Highway. The average speed is about 80 mph. Four patrol cars, two hours a day would net enough cash in tickets to pay Suffolk police Commissioner Richard Dormer's salary, and probably five times that of the average Suffolk County police officer's take-home pay.

Let's enforce, not show up after the disasters.

Doreen Steinhauser, North Babylon