LETTERS
War, Cont’d
Re your Feb. 17 “War? No” editorial:
Your belief that this war is a mistake “strategically, morally and economically” is less than the astute analysis that you have offered in the past on many fronts. Your assessment in this case is rather one-dimensional.
The strategic location of Iraq could be one of the most important reasons for the United States to act without delay. Why? First, Iraq is a neighbor to Iran, whose people are ready and waiting for a chance to turn their country into a full-fledged democracy. Our invasion of Afghanistan has enabled their population to feel more emboldened to fight their oppressive Islamic regime. Syria has little native resources and without the help from neighboring villains will crumble. Jordan has made many inroads towards a constitutional monarchy and most likely would do anything for the right amount of aid. Saudi Arabia, which has been much less than a friend and the largest contributor to terrorism (in culture if not cash), will have to start moving the Royal Family to London permanently.
Once the masses of ordinary people in the region realize that the possibility of democracy is real, through what they see happen in Iraq, their governments will have no choice but to eventually respect their own citizens. Without the Arabs being incited by their own governments, even Israel might have a chance to exist in peace.
I’m not sure why you threw in morality as a reason against this war, because I can’t think of a more convincing argument for the war than saving millions of people from tyranny, torture, mutilation and starvation at the hands of this evil creature.
You have been confused by Saddam’s secular behavior and his great savvy. Saddam has housed, financed and nurtured quite a few radical Muslim Mullahs in Baghdad for many years. If you still don’t understand Arab behavior, then do a little research. Why did bin Laden allow the U.S. to fund him in his war against Russia? After all, we were “infidels” then as we are now!
On 9/11 we were invaded and our attackers were empowered by their victory. That can never change. What can evolve is the perception in the Arab world that our democracy is valuable and permanent. As it stands now, Arabs in the street have nothing and their only salvation is death by martyrdom. Call it “nation building” or whatever else you like, but we are the only people who care enough to teach them how to help themselves.
Economically, we will benefit immensely from a calmer Middle East, which will in turn help us manage education in the Arab world, much the same way we did with Germany and Japan after WWII. Although Germany seems ungrateful at the moment, they have not since attempted a takeover of the planet through force.
This will be a long and taxing endeavor in order to allow our children to live as safely as is humanly possible in the not-so-near future. Whether you like it or not, we lost a lot of our freedom to fear the day the towers fell. Your commentary demonstrates that you may have lost your objectivity as well!
Barbara Hiller Johnson
Cowan Heights
I and my family and friends are disgusted with you and your OCBJ and your lack of support for our government and troops at this time of war and will no longer patronize the OCBJ nor its advertisers and will openly advocate to my friends to do the same.
Stuart Kaiden
San Clemente
(Editor’s note: We oppose a war, but we support our troops.)
Thank you for your cogent editorial on the looming war with Iraq. As a retired senior research associate with a major oil company, I applaud your thoughtful and prescient analysis. Your concluding statement particularly resonated with me: “War is likely to produce a quick victory at a terrible price.”
Dave Blodgett
WW II combat veteran
Laguna Woods
Congratulations on having the guts to publish your opinions regarding the potential U.S. invasion of Iraq. I sincerely believe you mirror the opinions of virtually millions of Americans of every political bent.
What the hell is Bush up to? His team is attempting to paint naysayers as unpatriotic idiots. Perhaps he should look in the mirror.
Michael Ray
Irvine
Back in 1965, seven courageous House members were the first to vote “no” on appropriations for Vietnam. It took years for a majority of their colleagues to come around, but they finally did. (I am proud to say that I worked on Capitol Hill for one of those seven, Don Edwards, a Democrat from San Jose.)
Is there anything that can be done now to stop a war with Iraq? In my opinion, it all comes down to finding another courageous group of seven House members,and 35 patriotic Americans.
Chief among those seven would be Republican Chris Cox of Orange County, whose district is often referred to as the heart and soul of the GOP. Change his opinion about the war and many of his House colleagues will fall in line.
This is where the 35 patriots come in. In order to change seven lawmakers’ opinions, five prominent supporters in each of their congressional districts need to come out against the war.
In Orange County, over a private lunch, five Republican business leaders would let Cox know they don’t support the war in Iraq and, if Cox does, they’ll go shopping for another representative in 2004.
What millions of protesters worldwide can’t accomplish in the streets, a handful of Orange County patriots can accomplish in the quiet of the lunchroom. Care for dessert, Congressman?
Denny Freidenrich
Laguna Beach
Thanks
Your Feb. 3 article on me was great. The complimentary phone calls and notes I have received are overwhelming. I don’t know how to thank you.
Pat Poss
President, C.W. Poss Inc.
Fullerton
