Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

    In response to "Society overvalues military action" in the Sept. 11 issue of The Collegian, I would like to offer a few counterpoints to the writer's argument.

    A war with Iraq would not be the first time America has engaged an enemy for the second time. We fought the Germans twice: WWI and WWII. If not for the 'proud Americans' at home manufacturing everything from bullets to battleships and sacrificing foodstuffs, it is a good possibility that this letter would have been written in German.

    I am thankful for the 'war heroes' America has elected. Quite a few of our Founding Fathers fought in that conflict that led to the establishment of this great nation. As well, men like Gen. Dwight Eisenhower defeated the Nazis.

    America has obtained a 'dramatic influence.' America is the last remaining superpower. We have more influence than any other nation has ever held. Further, our security concerns have been global since 1776.

    Sometimes we have to go to war to get things accomplished. Talk didn't sway George III's views; talk didn't sway Hitler's views, and up to now, talk hasn't swayed Saddam Hussein's views. Unfortunately, sometimes the only thing people understand is force. We can either sanction our enemy to death or he can sanction us to death: we do have a say on which way that macabre domino falls.

    National security will not fall into place by focusing on "community well-being."

    As for controlling the world's oil supply, on the unlikely premise that America would control all the "world's oil," such a situation would only benefit our economy.

    I do honor those brave men and women who were 'killers' for this nation. By 'killing' those who purposed to do this nation harm, the writers of The Collegian and I have retained the 'freedom' and 'right' to speak freely. We can vote in democratic elections; we can own land; we can " we can " we can. The vast majority of men, women and children inhabiting this globe are crying, "We can't!"

    Americans are blessed with exceptional opportunities, such as attending college, owning homes and worshipping as they choose. Such freedoms were not given by the world: they were fought for on the field of battle. Every American should consider it an honor and a duty to defend those freedoms.

Chad Lampe

South Campus