Prospect of invading Iraq should cause concern

Prospect of invading Iraq should cause concern
EDITOR:
The effectiveness of governmental propaganda was made evident to me while watching "60 Minutes" recently. Reporter Bob Simon said that a poll had indicated that two-thirds of Americans believe Iraq to have been involved in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center. This despite the fact that as hard as it has tried, the Bush administration has not been able to find any credible proof of Iraqi involvement. The whole of the government's "proof" is the suggestion that accused terrorist Mohammed Atta once met with an Iraqi intelligence agent in Prague. Our own intelligence agencies as well as Czech intelligence doubt that this meeting ever took place, but because this meeting has been cited so often by administration spokespersons, including Dick Cheney, people now believe it to have actually happened.
The sudden Bush preoccupation with Iraq raises some questions. Why did the administration wait until two months before the election to decide that Iraq posed an imminent threat to us? Was it not equally as threatening last December or last March? If it was, why did we say nothing until September? If it wasn't, what has changed since then to make it such a threat? What changed the focus of our government from getting Osama Bin Laden to getting Saddam Hussein? Is it too cynical to suggest that the Iraqi threat was purposely exaggerated by the administration to garner support for President Bush and "Get Tough on Iraq" Republican candidates? After all, nothing draws the support of the citizens like the threat of attack by another country.
How will a war on Iraq affect our campaign against Al-Qaida? Can we afford to spend $200 billion dollars as forecast by administration advisers for a war against Iraq? Add to that the cost of rebuilding the country after we destroy it and the cost of maintaining troops in Iraq for up to 10 years. How will we fund the war against Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaida?
Yes, Saddam Hussein is evil. Yes, we must continue to expose his brutality and cruelty to his own people. Yes, we must work with the United Nations to encourage and enable the Iraqi people to overthrow his regime if they so desire.
However, to attack another country because they may in the future possess certain kinds of weapons that they may at some time use against us can only be classified as immoral. We would become an outlaw nation devoid of moral authority in the world and rightfully perceived as the world's bully.
ROBERT F. MOLLIC
Girard
Add hospital to list ofMahoning Valley assets
EDITOR:
On November 22, it was necessary for me to undergo a five bypass heart operation at the St. Elizabeth Hospital.
I would like to publicly thank the many, many people on the staff of St. Elizabeth's for that most precious gift, the gist of life itself. I first informed Dr. Santuccio Ricciardi of some chest pains I was experiencing when walking in Mill Creek Park and the Southern Park Mall. Dr. Ricciardi, then immediately made sure I was scheduled to have a stress test administered and supervised by Dr. Greg Mazanek. With lightening speed, I next was given a heart catherization by Dr. Mazanek. The very next day, I underwent a five bypass heart operation by Dr. Franco. His knowledge and skills gave me a new lease on life.
This was truly a team effort by al of the personnel at St. Elizabeth Hospital. There was a sense of caring and compassion permeating the entire staff of the cardiac care unit. As I walked the hallways accompanied by a staff member and my oxygen, there were friendly smiles and words of encouragement.
Now I am in the care of my wife, Jackie, and other members of my family, and am slowly, but surely having a successful recovery.
In my mind, I am going to add the Heart and Vascular Center of St. Elizabeth Hospital to the tremendous assets of the Mahoning Valley.
ROBERT E. CASEY
Boardman