MiddletownJournal.com

I was disappointed that the (Feb. 20) editorial "'Walkout' stunt didn't impress" did not address the real reason House Republicans walked off the floor of the U.S. House recently, which was to protest the fact that the House was spending time on a partisan, political debate over the Bolten-Miers resolution, instead of spending that time passing bipartisan legislation to protect Americans by updating the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

FISA allows our intelligence personnel to intercept communications among terrorists suspected of plotting to kill American citizens. The Senate passed bipartisan legislation to renew FISA before the law expired on Feb. 17. Instead of following suit and passing this critical bipartisan legislation to protect Americans, the Democratic leadership in the House instead took up the partisan Bolten-Miers resolution and then left town, letting FISA expire and leaving our nation more vulnerable to terrorist attack.

I led House Republicans in a walkout to protest these misplaced priorities. It is the height of irresponsibility that the leaders of the Democratic majority in the House were able to find time in the schedule for political resolutions, such as the Bolten-Miers measure, but not for legislation that will protect our nation against the terrorist threat.

Congressman John Boehner

R-West Chester Twp.

'Hendrickson the right choice'

Judge Robert Hendrickson is running for the 12th District Court of Appeals and I believe he is the right choice for the right reasons.

Judge Hendrickson's father, retired Judge William R. Hendrickson, sat on the Court of Appeals bench with my late uncle, Judge Fred Jones.

Judge Hendrickson is a lifelong resident, voter and community volunteer within our appellate district. His opponent, Magistrate (Mary) McElwee, is a lifelong resident of Hamilton County who only recently rented a home within the appellate district just before the filing deadline so she could run for this seat while her husband retains his domicile and voter registration in Hamilton County. Being a lifelong resident in the 12th District Court of Appeals isn't absolutely necessary, but it does give Judge Hendrickson a deeper sense of accountability to the residents who vote and have their cases heard before the appellate court.

Judge Hendrickson has the better qualifications and experience. He has been elected four times. He's been a trial judge for more than 11 years and an active trial attorney for more than 23 years, giving him the best ability to defeat the Democrat opponent in November. Having served as a trial judge is very important at the appellate level because appellate judges are required to review a lower trial judge's actions and decisions. His opponent is only a magistrate who serves at the pleasure of the appointing judge and cannot preside over criminal jury trials. She has never been elected as a judge before and now wants to leap from a magistrate to an appellate judge.

Judge Hendrickson is the right choice for the right reasons. He has proven that he is electable; he has the best experience and qualifications; and he is a conservative man of strong religious convictions. I ask you to join me and all of the elected non-judicial Warren County officeholders who have endorsed and are voting for Judge Hendrickson on March 4.

Pat South

Warren County commissioner

Lebanon