Whether to strike Iraq first is still debatable

Whether to strike Iraq first is still debatable
EDITOR:
It is good that the president has moderated his message about Iraq by saying in his speech most recently that war "is not inevitable." However, despite differences of opinion on Iraq, it is vital that if U.S. troops are committed to battle that they be given full support by all Americans.
Prior to hostilities, however, it is important that all citizens freely express opinions on the question of a pre-emptive attack. Consider these observations: Although Saddam Hussein is a cruel tyrant, he has not attacked us; at least not yet. We Americans don't put people in prison because they might commit a crime, nor is it our custom to attack another nation because it might attack us. To do so would be un-American and contrary to our leadership role as a peaceful people and nation.
Despite the risk, we must await an attack before retaliating. It seems unlikely that Saddam Hussein will launch a pre-emptive attack against us because he knows he would be obliterated. A pre-emptive attack by America would set a dangerous precedent, not only throughout the world, but also because U.S. administrators come and go, and we must consider how dangerous such a precedent would be if an even less trustworthy administration comes to power some time after 2004!
Need we be reminded that our prime enemy is Osama bin Laden, and it is he and his minions who we are fully entitled to bring to justice without delay? Let us not be distracted from out first priority.
MILTON R. NORRIS
Canfield
Bush listens to fanatics with cruel Mideast view
EDITOR:
On 60 Minutes recently there was a story about the Christian Zionists, 70 million strong, who are driving the Bush administration and the Sharon Likud government in Israel to wage a war with the entire Arab and Muslim world, a war which they shamelessly predict and hope will result in the death of not millions, but billions, of people on earth and the very destruction of the earth itself. They claim that this is what Jesus is waiting for to return to earth, as if to say that I would be very happy to return home if only my kids would kill each other and destroy my house and garden in the same stroke.
Why do I doubt this? I have never met this man Jesus in person but I have had a glimpse of His teachings and His example to us 2000 years ago. He told His followers to reject the law of an eye for an eye in order to follow the higher law of love your enemies and & quot;turn the other cheek. & quot; Doesn't sound like the same person to me. Personally I think these people are crazy but Mr. Bush seems to believe they can walk on water and is doing everything in his power to satisfy them.
As for those who claim to be & quot;the chosen people, & quot; if they were truly the chosen people they would be showing us all how to make peace with one another. Instead they have driven the Palestinians deeper and deeper into despair with their unceasing policy of stealing more and more territory, property, and resources while crushing anyone who questions their cruel authority.
What about the suicide bombers someone will ask? Are they not fanatics who must be exterminated like vermin? After all who would be crazy enough to kill themselves for any cause so hopeless and futile?
I will tell you. Trappers have often described that they have found, in checking their traps, that an animal was so desperate to escape that it chewed off its leg rather than remain trapped.
This is precisely the kind of society that the Israelis have created for their brethren, the Palestinians.
Finally, let me say that Mr. Bush is the most stupid man to have ever held the office of the president. If we survive, let us hope that one such will be enough.
ROGER LAFONTAINE
Youngstown