| To the Editor: A large number of those Americans who serve or have served in the military, as well as many who have friends and relatives currently serving, seem to believe that fellow citizens who oppose military action have some hatred toward the individuals who make up the United States armed services. This line of reasoning is ludicrous. If I don�t want there to be any fires, do I dislike firefighters? If I am against crime, does that make me anti-police? Those who do not support war are people who care about soldiers, sailors and pilots. We don�t want them to die for some politician�s fraudulent commandeering of concepts such as patriotism and freedom. A compelling case needs to be made before the United States government puts the lives of its men and women on the line. The threat must be undeniable; the goals must be clear. The support of the American people must be overwhelming. After all, these are our sons and daughters, our mothers and fathers, our aunts and uncles and cousins and friends. Any time a US president places them in harm�s way he needs to unequivocally justify doing so, and the people must agree. The bar needs to be very high. History has shown that, once the fighting has ended and the elections are held, politicians and governments turn their backs on the very people who have done the fighting. How often have we read about sick or injured veterans trying desperately to get government agencies to accept some liability for ailments contracted during military service? These are people who crawl through mud, get doused with chemicals, dodge reams of hot lead, and watch their friends die, only to come home to a government not willing to live up to its end of the bargain. While patients at VA hospitals suffer from inadequate care and funding is cut to shelters for homeless veterans, politicians and corporate executives who benefit from military conflicts ride around in limousines and dine at four-star hotels. This is happening right now, yet we seem blind to it as the next call to arms is sounded. Once again, Americans prepare to obediently offer up loved ones. At the same time many citizens have risen up to challenge the logic of the administration�s arguments. Those of us who oppose the war have no desire to spit on the uniforms of the men and women who serve their country proudly. Instead, we�d like the government to respect their lives as much as we do. Jim Correale |