War is not inevitable

To the editor

   The Jan. 27 UN Weapons Inspectors Report to the Security Council demonstrates to people of good will that war on Iraq is not inevitable.
   But as the Bush Administration relentlessly ratchets up the pressurefor war, it continues to be clearer everyday that it is not listening.Not to the American people it is supposed to represent: hundreds of thousands demonstrated nationwide against the war Jan. 18, and many millionsmore — two thirds of our citizens, it is now estimated — are confused, uncertain,unconvinced that a war is necessary.
   Not to our traditional allies abroad,many of whom are reluctant or flat-out unwilling to join us.
   Bush and his advisors are pushing a war that will surely incite terrorists to further destruction, inflame volatile international tensions, shed human blood (Iraqi or American, all blood is red), waste the world’s resources critically needed to fight poverty and illiteracy, hunger and disease.
   Cynically, complacently, contemptuously, the Bush Administration is sure thatonce this war is fully launched Americans will "support our troops" —doublespeak for "support our policy."
   Arrogantly, dismissively, Secretary of Defense DonaldRumsfeld says the nations of the world "will come running to join us" oncethey see we are winning. Our leaders refuse to understand that nobody winsin war.
   Attorney General John Ashcroft would love to downsize the Constitution of the United States. But last time I looked we were still guaranteed the right to dissent, to raise our voices to question and protest a war they want us to believe is "inevitable."
   It is not, if we say no.

Alisa Mariani
Zion Road