Letters to the Editors

We should seek peaceful ways to solve problems

As a mother, as a teacher, as a Muslim-American, I appeal to all Americans during this holy month of Ramadan (month of fasting) to pursue a path of peace, not war. It is in the best interest of our country and world peace.

Governments and people from around the world are opposed to a war on Iraq. The war is not about nuclear and biological weapons, or about Saddam Hussein. It is about controlling the oil world market. The Bush administration represents the "special interests" of oil, energy and the military industrial complex and is leading the country into a war from which only they will profit.

The despicable part of the scenario is the Bush administration's willingness to sacrifice the blood of our sons and daughters, mostly poor and middle class for their greedy pursuits. Would they be so quick on the trigger if their sons and daughters were on the front lines?

Bush's pre-emptive attacks against Iraq would be irresponsible and violate international law. They will destabilize world order, the rule of law, and lead us into World War III or Armageddon. The only legitimate use of force is in self-defense. What kind of role models are our leaders to the rest of the world and to our own children? Do we let bullies run our schools, or do we teach our children to solve conflict through mediation?

A war against Iraq will also hurt our national interests. Our own intelligence agencies have admitted that the prospects for increased terrorism against Americans at home and U.S. interests abroad will increase with an attack against Iraq.

Lastly, I hope all Americans will come to see that the war on Iraq is a hijacking of our democracy by the Bush "oiligarchy." Not only have we lost countless civil liberties since the USA Patriot Act, but Congress has handed over to President Bush its constitutional power to declare war without the people's consent. If Americans stand up to oppose this war, they can stop it. If we stop it, we can get back our democracy, save our children's lives, and start working for peaceful resolution of our problems.
-- Pilar Saad, Tampa

Hasn't there been enough war?

I was intrigued to read the Oct. 27 column by Henry G. Brinton, Can Christians back this war? Being a lifetime church member, it was exciting to see the issue of imminent war explored. God knows I've never seen this issue explored from the pulpit, even though war is one of the most important factors affecting mankind's spiritual development. The cartoon above the editorial stated the dilemma very well: What would Jesus do -- work for peace and invade Iraq or work for peace and not invade Iraq?

Well, the answer came -- for me -- soon after I read the article. I was in the back yard playing with my 18-month-old grandson. He's as sweet as an angel. While we were having our great time together, I pictured another man like me who loves his grandson. But this man happened to be an Iraqi. I saw this man as being just like me in all things that really matter, such as loving your family, caring about your work and finding peace with God. I realized that we are all woven together, whether we know it or not, into the fabric of God's love and to bring physical hurt to him or his grandson would hurt us all.

What is a Christian to do about war? If it's true -- and I believe it is -- that Jesus stands for love, mercy and compassion, shouldn't each of us strive to make such ideals a reality on our poor, battered planet? Hasn't there been enough war?
-- Kirk Hamilton, St. Petersburg

Think of the children

With all the bellicose talk of attacking Iraq, who ever stops, even for a moment, and thinks about the children of that demoralized, already ruined nation?

"Adults hate -- adults fight -- children die." -- Elie Wiesel, 1997

Just think for a moment that you live in Baghdad. You are accompanying your 8-year-old to school. When you get there and are ready to say goodbye for the day, your child asks the simple question: "Mommy (or daddy), is today the day that I will die?"

The children of Baghdad have been living with that unanswered question for months now, ever since our "glorious leader" (Orwell's Animal Farm) has arrogantly demanded "regime change" in Iraq, using military force if necessary. Don't worry, we'll try to minimize "collateral damage" (another ultra-inhumane military-speak term for the slaughter of innocent civilians). How much "collateral" is your son or daughter worth?

Then we all ask ourselves: "Why do they hate us so much?"

What have these children to look forward to in life? Where has our humanity gone? Have we forgotten just how innocent children are? Look at the faces of your sons or your daughters and think!

Wake up, smarten up and tune in, America. Do something, say something to help stop this insanity. If you think long and hard, you will understand how public opinion in this country shapes the world. Please, do it for the children's sake.
-- Frank Gubasta, Fort Myers

Paying the price

The announced resignation of Harvey Pitt, chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, on Nov. 5, is a start in the right direction. However, I do not see the economy improving any time soon -- and I presume with the win in Florida for Jeb Bush, the president will feel secure enough to go to war.

Instead of putting some of our taxes into educating children in Florida (we are at the bottom of the list), we may very well pay heavy taxes for the billions and billions of our hard-earned dollars to support a major war. The young people we have failed to educate properly will be the ones sent to the front in harm's way. Can this be fair?

There are 1,182,412 enlisted men and women on active duty in the U.S. military today. I presume if we go forward in a war with Iraq, there will be an urgent need for many more enlistees or draftees. This group is where the vast majority of American combat casualties and deaths will come.

As of this date, not one of the 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives has a son or daughter on active duty in the enlisted ranks of this nation's military. The all-volunteer force ensures that the children of the wealthy and powerful will not be found in the lower ranks.

Here's another unfortunate fact that we all need to consider seriously: With one or more future tax cuts for the rich, war looming on the horizon and major companies going bankrupt, many of us could possibly be booted out of the middle class. Not a pleasant thought.
-- Ruth J. Anderson, Homosassa

Let Iraq's oil cover war costs

I think that we are missing the boat by not publicly declaring we will hold Iraq responsible for the cost of any military action we and/or the United Nations take to enforce Iraq's disarmament and compliance with the recently passed U.N. resolution.

If we go to war, our military should confiscate and operate Iraq's oil production on a 50/50 basis until such time as we (and others joining us) are fully reimbursed for all costs of any war to disarm Iraq. By 50/50 I mean 50 percent of production will go into Iraq's economy and 50 percent will go to the nations participating in the war on a pro-rata basis until all of each nation's military and related costs are fully recovered, including interest.

The upside to this approach is that it will take the uncertainty out of our own war costs and immediately boost our sluggish economy as well as cause a surge in the stock market. We can even issue USA war bonds at the rate of 8 percent interest with interest and principal to be paid from the sale of Iraq's oil. In all probability the wealthy Arabs will buy the bonds and then by default be on our side to disarm Iraq by military force. The net result is pumping a $100-billion into our economy rather than out.
-- Ray J. Bath, Clearwater

Hoping for peaceful holidays

As the holiday season approaches, I find myself wishing that we could at least have one more Christmas and New Year's without war. Or at least wait until someone attacks us before we take them out. I can't swallow the idea of a pre-emptive strike. When I was in school, I learned that the practice was no good.

If I was the president of these United States, I would have been chasing down the leaders and followers of Osama bin Laden all year long. Even during Ramadan. I'd have my eye on Saddam Hussein with orders that if he is in your scope, assassinate him.

I don't like the thought that someone who can't get along with the international community has biological weapons. But I'm not out to steal the world's oil and become an oiligarchy. That's what we'll be, you know.

The voters have spoken. They have given President Bush unfettered access to power beyond your wildest dreams. I just hope we the people of the United States can break loose before we all go broke or end up dead, or maybe both.
-- Janey Kukla, Spring Hill

An elusive target

Sure, we are going to Baghdad to unseat Saddam Hussein. But I have read a lot about him, his insecurity, his three doubles and his paranoia. Knowing what we know, do we really think the real Hussein is still in Baghdad?

I can assure you, were I Hussein, I sure as heck would be in some remote location 3,000 miles from Iraq!

And, if he is not there, then what? Shades of Osama bin Laden?
-- M. Inge Johnstone, Ozona

Take care of current veterans

How hypocritical of President Bush on Veterans Day to honor our unknown soldiers while at the same time his administration is denying veterans concurrent receipt and allowing VA medical benefits to be slashed to our present veterans.

Florida has approximately 1.7-million veterans, most with a spouse, some with children and grandchildren of voting age. If President Bush needed Florida in 2000, he should be aware of our voting potential in 2004. Before we go to war and create more disabled veterans, we should take care of the ones we have.
-- Richard C. Schaefer, major, U.S. Air Force, retired, Palm Harbor

Where have the flags gone?

Where are all the flags? Maybe it's because I was raised in a different place at a different time, but I remember as a kid seeing flags displayed on homes, from apartment windows, fire escapes, etc., on national holidays.

On Monday, I went through my neighborhood and many other neighborhoods and was saddened when I saw so few homes of people proud enough to show their love and respect for this great country of ours.

Expensive homes, expensive cars and people in their trendy clothes wherever you go but so few ($15) American flags. Maybe it's not cool to show patriotism or maybe we're just too busy to take "the minute" to display the flag.

On Sept. 12, 2001, it was inspiring to see such a display of American flags. Where are they now? Maybe times are too good for so many people, but on Veterans Day, of all days, it would have been a nice gesture to say thank you to all the people who served in the military to make what you have and what you are doing possible.
-- Donald Murphy, Clearwater

Share your opinions

Letters for publication should be addressed to Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. They can be sent by fax to (727) 893-8675 or by e-mail to letters@sptimes.com (no attachments, please).

They should be brief and must include the writer's name, address and phone number.

Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length. We regret that not all letters can be published.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright