A response to Bush’s State of the Union address
January 30th, 2003
A letter to our paper in Durham, NC
by Jim and Barbara Fyfe
You know, once upon a time, our pres. Mr. Bush said that this war on terrorism will be “a war for the hearts and minds” of those that would do us harm. Having just lost our son on AA flight 11, I listened carefully and was impressed with the maturity and insight of these words; I thought he had it just about right. Now the words we hear coming from his mouth are about the need to get rid of Saddam to make our country “safe from terrorism”.
Please, let’s think about this! How will this make us safer from terrorism? Will it get rid of poisonous gases or infectious agents that anyone with a hateful heart can create in their own garage? Will it get rid of small missiles, that almost anyone can buy, to spread these agents ? Does it help repair our image, that of a country led by people who are only out for material gain and don’t care who gets in the way? Does it decrease the likelihood of a hate-filled, angry fanatic doing a terrorist act?
No, just the opposite! Please! Do not wage this war in the name of those who have lost loved ones from the terror of 9/11. Continue the current containment strategies that are working. Keep inspectors on the ground for a indeterminate length of time.
And to any of you that may agree, time is running out. Communicate your reasoned arguments to you congressmen.
-Jim and Barbara Fyfe
