Editor, Times-Union: We are winning the war against terrorists. We are, however, losing the war against terror. This is evidenced by those who are expressing fearful concerns that Russia and China will bomb the U.S. because of Gulf War II.
It is evidenced by the logic that says if we leave Iraq alone we will be safer from terrorist attacks.
That if we always gain U.N. approval the "world" will somehow hate us less.
That if we just listen to Tom Daschle our allies will somehow support us more.
All of these assertions are false and grounded in conjecture and supposition.
The attacks on us on 9/11 changed not only us but the world forever. Our foreign policy changed. Our domestic policy changed. Driving to work changed. Everything changed.
There are no established benchmarks or societal handbooks by which to guide us through this unfamiliar territory. We can only invoke history and extrapolate it to our current situation and form new insights. We can pray and seek supernatural guidance. We can ponder and discuss.
What we can't do is cower down to rumors and half-cocked scenarios. Political stooges who circulate hopelessness do so in order to someday hopefully be able to say, "Remember when I told you this would happen?" while helping to create that very event.
The Chinese and Russians do not want to die. They will not bomb us any time soon.
Terrorists can't hate us any more than they already do and will seek to harm us regardless of what we do or do not do in Iraq.
The world only hates us because of what we represent and our unique position. They just couldn't say it during the Cold War because they needed us as the "enemy of my enemy" against the former Soviet Union.
And Tom Daschle; well, Senator Daschle is just saying what he thinks his constituents think the world wants to hear. Translation: he's a politician.
"Be strong and courageous. Don't tremble! Don't be afraid of them! The LORD your God is the one who is going with you. He won't abandon you or leave you." (Deut. 31:6)
Patrick Brown Warsaw via e-mail
Don't Criticize U.S.
Editor, Times-Union: This is in response to the people who believe that the United States is the one who should be criticized. Was it the United States who during the war with Iran used chemical warfare? Is it the United States who has rape camps in this country? Is the United States who tortures people who dissent with the president?
No, I don't think so. Why when Bill Clinton attacked Iraq for four solid days was it called defense of American interest? Yet when George Bush is enforcing the U.N. resolutions we are being bullies. Who put the world in this spot? Saddam or America? I believe Saddam. Also, answer me this, when is enough enough? What would be a smoking gun? The chemical warhead going off in L.A., Chicago, or New York? Then you would be complaining that the government did not do enough. Saddam had 12 years to comply.
Now to our so-called allies France and Germany. France was saved twice by the United States in the last century. Go to Normandy and look at the flags there. I realize that France helped us during the Revolutionary War, but allies are supposed to be allies, not adversaries.
As for me, I am an American first. I do not support this world opinion theme.
One other point, where did this 250,000 civilian casualties come? What proof do people have?
Remember September 11th ... we did not attack anyone ... we are not the evil country. ... I have over 3,500 reasons for this war to go on.Some of those 3,500 worked for the same company that I do.
Ed Waldschmidt Warsaw via e-mail
Iraq Missteps
Editor, Times-Union: After reading Charlie Reese's column in the Wednesday paper, I realized I am not the only person who sees a few missteps in the march to war with Iraq. There are so many that I couldn't possible state them all in the space of a letter to the editor so I'll choose my favorites.
1. I was amazed at the revelation by the CIA that they found out too late that documents used by the White House to show Iraq was working on nuclear weapons were clear forgeries. We have no written proof that Iraq was trying to become a nuclear threat.
2. The claim that Iraq gassed some of its Kurdish citizens is apparently true but the circumstances are far from easily interpreted. In fact, Mr. Rumsfeld in his first White House job indicated at the time of the gassing that this was not a concern of the U.S. Now he uses it to justify war. What a difference two decades make.
3. The French have been blamed for sabotaging the development of a broad coalition at the U.N. The fact that Germany, China and Russia took a stand similar to the French doesn't seem to matter. Now I know that the French can be arrogant and President Chirac should learn to be quiet at times. However, France has been an ally from the time of the American Revolution and even warned us strongly to be aware of the quagmire know as Vietnam. Certainly we can respond a little better than by calling for a change in the name of french fries and dumping French wine. The irony is that we are supposedly fighting to maintain our way of life and part of this is to tolerate the voicing of opposing views.
4. The biggest irony is that the Iraqis will indeed get a regime change. One dictator will be replaced with another. I hadn't thought of this until I heard an interview with someone who hated Saddam but was equally unhappy with an American invasion. The president is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. With a military victory, the president becomes the de facto ruler of the conquered country. This is nothing new. It happened with Japan after WWII. There, the results were good although the situation in Iraq is a far cry from that in Japan after WWII. But imagine yourself as an Arab with the prospect of being governed by George Bush and the advisers around him.
As a last resort, war may be necessary. I feel we could have done more with better diplomatic efforts even though I feel Saddam Hussein should be removed. Now, I pray for a rapid military victory with as close to zero casualties as possible.
However, winning the war will be the easy part. Winning the peace is the challenge.
James Streator Claypool via e-mail
Supports Troops
Editor, Times-Union: The Libertarian Party on the national, state and some local members have made statements condemning the war in Iraq based on a principled response based on their view that our foreign policy has been misguided. I am saddened that I must firmly stand against these policy statements. There comes a time when we must stand together as a nation against our foes even if mistakes were made in the past. I say this with much fear in my heart that even though my son is still in the states in training, there are no certainties in war and this may not be over quickly. I already know of Marines and Indiana National Guard that are deployed in Kuwait. I stand with them and President Bush in support in this current action. I encourage all Americans to stand with our leaders and our troops during this time. There are many actions that we as Americans can to both in direct and indirect support of these brave men and women and their families remaining at home.
Please contact me if you need directed to organizations assisting in these matters.
Michael Houze Kosciusko County Chairman -LPKC
P.S. A Rally for America is occurring this Saturday at Kruze Auction Park in Auburn at 11 a.m. Exit 126 on I-69. WOWO radio of Fort Wayne is one of the sponsors - come support our troops and our nation.
