Stop the madman, says this Army soldier

I am an active duty member of the Army. I don't believe anybody ever wants to go to war. Our nation stands for freedom. But how can you have freedom when attacks like 9-11 happen? Everybody has the right to their opinion.

If our president believes we need to protect ourselves against Iraq, then I believe that's what we have to do. It's not about religion or race, but stopping a madman before he or any other terrorist make an attack on the American people. What would happen if another attack was to take place and we didn't try to prevent it? What then? You would have all these "anti-war" protesters protesting for war.

Thanks to those who support us.

Charles Scott, Carthage

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Pre-emptive strike on Iraq marginalizes us

Regarding war against Iraq: It's about democracy. Despite a recent New York Times poll that has shown that 42 percent of us in the United States think Saddam was behind the 9-11 attacks, the administration is not claiming this, so war would clearly be a pre-emptive strike.

No single country can do this on its own authority, or it is no better than the tyrant that it tries to overthrow. In this case, without U.N. approval, we will marginalize ourselves rather than marginalizing the terrorists and make al-Qaida's recruitment job easier. Further, in our bilateral relations, especially with Middle Eastern countries, promotion of democracy rather than narrow economic interests must be our first priority. A house divided cannot stand, and our very foundation is democracy.

Ren Austing, Wyoming

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I'm no patriot, according to some

I am unpatriotic, at least by the conservative definition. Despite serving my country for fourteen 14 years as a United States Army Warrant Officer and the fact that I am medically retired, I am a bad American. I support the troops, who are sent in harm's way and away from their families, but I do not support the president's political motivation to endanger our military men and women to draw attention away from his failed domestic policies.

The president and his conservative minions have attempted to label those who oppose the unilateral actions against Iraq as un-American.

Dale Adams, Franklin

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Show of force required for freedom

In response to "This vet doesn't want another war," a few points from another Vet: 1) You are accurate when you say not all vets support war with Iraq. When was the last time you ever got 100 percent of a diverse group to agree on any issue? However, the overwhelming majority of our military members support President Bush's policy. 2) You say you oppose "a president who did not serve in the military during Vietnam, who received fewer votes than his opponent ..."

President Bush did serve in the Texas Air National Guard. For you to insinuate this does not qualify as service to one's country is to insult hundreds of thousands of today's guard and reserve troops.

Lastly, President Bush was fairly elected through the Electoral College system.

. Aaron Higginbotham, Crestview Hills

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Cincinnati support delights native soldier

I am enlisted in the United States Navy and currently stationed overseas. I recently spent some time back at home in Cincinnati and was surprised to see the lack of support for our impending war. It goes as far as city governments passing resolutions condemning it.

Recently, I watched CNN and saw that New York City, the epicenter of 9/11, now passed its resolution. I was shocked and very disappointed. I was beginning to wonder if anyone supports what we are getting ready to do. How could I serve my country when it does not want to be served? The very next story was about a small lunch-time rally on Fountain Square supporting our troops. Even through all of the tension and hostility dividing our nation, which claimed to be indivisible a year and a half ago, Cincinnatians were able to out-sing the protests, the marches and the resolutions.

Michael Zeiser, Green Township

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Bush on reckless path to disaster in Iraq

Demonstrations here and abroad have voiced strong opposition to the war on Iraq. In the United States more than 100 city councils have passed resolutions against the war. Yet, President Bush ignores public opinion and international opposition and plunges recklessly ahead, propelling the world on a collision course with disaster. Rather arrogant for a man who failed to receive a majority of the popular vote in the 2000 election.

The Bush administration has unearthed the alleged "link" between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaida. If the allegation is true, why did it take more than a year and a half to discover the connection? American intelligence must be even more inept than previously supposed. After 9-11 we did not wage war on Iraq. To rout the terrorists we invaded Afghanistan. The suspicion persists that this eleventh hour "link" is somehow related to growing worldwide opposition to the war.

Germany, France, Russia and China advocate peace and urge more time for U.N. inspections. Secretary of defense Donald Rumsfeld denigrates Germany as belonging to the "old Europe." Old Europe has endured the horrors of war on its own soil. Germany, France and Russia saw millions of their people killed in two world wars. We in the continental United States, who remained relatively unscathed in these conflicts, should listen to them.

Maureen Gallardo, Hamilton