In spite of the constant shrill bravado of the conservatives, this is still the land of the free. That means that we are supposed to be able to dissent without fear of reprisal or ridicule.

After reading the Feb. 13 commentary by Nathan Borst, “Peacenik endeavors support Hussein’s regime,” I would simply say that people should be careful what they wish for; they just may get it.

If “we the people” all goose-step our way into line behind the warmongers, we may become what we loathe.

The Europeans have been down this road. If they wish to be deliberate in their analysis of the Iraq situation, they have that right.

To demean them by innuendo and frontal assault on their rights is an affront to freedom-loving people everywhere. Just because they don’t happen to agree with your narrow view of the world, and don’t believe that George is infallible, doesn’t mean that they are evil or ignorant.

Since Nathan is so vitriolic in his views and so adamant in his insistence that we go to war I, as a Vietnam-era veteran, will be happy to see him drop out of school and join the armed forces to stamp out evil forever. If he needs a ride to the recruiter, I will be happy to give him one, but somehow I just don’t imagine that will be required.

It amazes me that all of these ultra-conservatives scream that war is just and needed, but they don’t think that it is just enough that they need to participate. Let someone else die for the cause. Like Dick Cheney in the Vietnam era, these people appear to have other priorities than the armed services.

Dennis Eldridge

Graduate

Business Administration