I propose that the United States overthrow Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and put Tesdell in as interim prime minister of Iraq. Mr. Tesdell has had all of the most perfect plans for ruling Iraq and running our campaign on terror. He proposes that we should not use violence and attacks to stop terrorists that would want, if given the chance, to kill my brother and brother-in-law who are both serving in Iraq. Let’s put Mr. Tesdell on the front line and show him the level of hatred shown by a select few in Iraq. When Iraqi militant men — or, for that matter, boys — run around your base late at night with RPGs, I suppose we should sit back and let them fire away.

I would be deathly afraid if anyone who held the same beliefs as Mr. Tesdell were to ever take control of a country like Iraq. A leader like that would work endlessly to remove the occupying country such as the United States. He would not care so much about what is being done to rebuild the country; rather, he would want an independent country as soon as the Saddam regime was out of power. This would thrust Iraq into a state of utter anarchy. But that’s OK, because the United States isn’t using violence and military action to make that country safe.

Mr. Tesdell, you offer only a couple of instances where the group that Allawi was involved with during the Saddam reign actually used acts of violence. You offer no supporting facts. And to say that Allawi was the one personally carrying out those acts is absurd. That is like saying President Geoffroy was personally involved in the riots during Veishea weekend simply because he and the students involved are all part of an organization called Iowa State University.

If you want me to believe that Allawi personally carried out those attacks, give us facts, not vague generalities.

Mr. Tesdell, my prayer is that no one with your viewpoints would ever be in charge of this country.

Eric Crawford

Junior

Child and Family Services