Letter to the editor
To the editor:
We are on a dangerous path to war that calls for soul-searching scrutiny.
The current administration seeks every possible excuse to attack Iraq, yet UN inspectors have found no clear evidence of weapons of mass destruction. The previous inspections with less strength than this one destroyed more Iraqi weapons than were destroyed in the entire Gulf War. Why not let the inspectors continue their work, dismantling weapons they find, as they did in 1991? We will ensure more security by leaving the inspectors in Iraq than bringing them home and going to war.
Has the President considered the real ramifications of war? Surely he won’t send his own daughters to fight. Yet how many of our own sons and daughters will come back in body bags or minus arms and legs? Unlike 1991, this war will be fought in Iraq’s densely populated cities; the human toll will be great. How many Lawrence youth will be lost? How many of our children, whom military recruiters are promising job training and education, will not live long enough to fulfill those promises?
Most disturbingly, this administration threatens a nuclear strike on Iraq should they use chemical or biological weapons. This would break the post-Hiroshima taboo and opening a door that has been closed for over 50 years. What kind of future would this leave our children?
We have embarked on a dangerous path. It’s time to start thinking about the long-term consequences in terms of the death toll, as well as money spent that could otherwise go to services for life, not destruction.
Fifty-seven cities and townships across the country have passed resolutions opposing war. May our town become number 58. The Lawrence Coalition for Peace Action will be meeting in the coming weeks to discuss a resolution we have put together to present to our Township Council. Please keep an eye out for date, time and location. This war will affect entire communities. It’s time to speak our voices.
Naomi Drew
Lawrencia Drive
Lawrenceville

