The writer of "Some things just don’t matter" (letter, Oct. 21), is comparing apples to oranges.

A person writing a letter regarding American Forces Network’s NFL game format ("Just Colts and Pats? Oh my!," letter, Oct. 6) is no comparison to soldiers dying in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nor does it come remotely close to the plummeting economy back home.

Yes, there are more important issues to consider. However, that does not mean we need to forever push aside all the other issues that contribute to our daily quality of life, no matter how trivial they may be. There will always be tragedy in life, and there will always be those who have it (or have had it) worse than others. Regardless, disregarding the so-called trivial issues of others because of it is the wrong answer.

If all we give our soldiers, as noncommissioned officers, is an opportunity to be heard when they have a complaint, then that is a step in the right direction.

So, "before putting pen to paper" as the writer put it, he, too, should consider those around him, particularly to their needs and rights to be heard.

Staff Sgt. Michael D’UrbanoForward Operating Base Diamondback, Iraq

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