Where will Bush's vision of U.S. role in world lead?

Where will Bush's vision of U.S. role in world lead?
EDITOR:
We are responding to your Oct. 7 article headlined, "Bush stands as foreign policy visionary." Mr. Diehl, the Washington Post author of the article, seems favorably disposed toward the new 34-page foreign policy document which he says was written by Condoleeza Rice. In brief the doctrine states that since America has unmatched and unprecedented power we are responsible for shaping international order. We must be free to act aggressively with others or alone "to promote a balance of power that favors freedom." We must be free to make pre-emptive strikes against any nation that opposes our goals. Your headline does well to identify Bush as a "visionary" which is defined in the dictionary as a person "given to or characterized by fanciful or unpractical ideas, views or schemes."
The national crisis created by the events of Sept. 11, 2001, demanded a leader who could grasp the complexities of the problem, including the reasons why America was so unpopular in many parts of the world. Unfortunately, we had a leader who saw the problem in simplistic terms: "They dislike us because we are good and they are evil." By bombing Afghanistan he became a hero in the view of a vengeance-minded American public, but actually he furthered the cause of the terrorists which was basically a reaction to the arrogance of American power.
The new Bush doctrine as outlined by Diehl is highly idealistic, stating "We will work to translate this moment of influence into decades of peace, prosperity and liberty." It seems to envision a modern "Pax Romana," a peace in the distant past the was enforced throughout the civilized world of that time by the military might of the Roman legions. But we live in a very different time.
Diehl assumes that the alarm with which the Bush doctrine was greeted by the foreign policy establishment somehow validates the doctrine. Strange logic! The Bush effort to put the policy into practice in Afghanistan should give us pause. The chaos in this bomb shattered country is hardly a model of "peace, prosperity and liberty." The fact that Bush has started to implement this policy in Afghanistan and wants to continue it in Iraq suggests that we should take this new policy seriously and that everyone who really wants peace, prosperity and liberty should rise up and sound the alarm. It is a policy heading for disaster. Let's contact our representatives in Washington and try to wake them up.
PAUL and ANNA MARY GAMBLE
New Wilmington, Pa.
Trustees see dollar signs
EDITOR:
I am writing to express grave concern over the proposed rezoning for the Centerpointe Business Park in Austintown Township. As a resident of Austintown, I believe that the elected trustees are selling us out for a "business park" that, as of now, has no prospective tenants.
It appears that the trustees see nothing but dollar signs when it comes to making this decision about this zoning change. They have commented in several publications, including The Vindicator, about how pleased the people of Austintown should be that the developers have chosen Austintown for this project.
Many of the people of Austintown are NOT pleased. We are angered by the trustees' unwillingness to listen to our concerns about this development. Specifically, they don't seem to understand that they are setting a dangerous precedent when they change zoning so that Industrial One directly abuts Residential Zoning. They will not hear our concerns about the effect that increased traffic will have on the residents of Lanterman, Raccoon and Four Mile Run roads. They seem unconcerned that their decision may completely alter the ecosystem in this lovely area of town.
Austintown residents, our trustees are selling us down the river for the prospect (and at this point quite speculative) of tax revenues. I wish you would consider fixing what we have before you let developers demolish a beautiful part of Austintown's landscape and history. I urge the elected trustees to carefully consider this decision.
JENNIFER S. GRIFFIN
Youngstown