This is inspired by Mr. Borst’s commentary in the Feb. 13 Daily, “Peacenik Endeavors Support Hussein’s Regime.”

First let me tell you about myself. I believe Saddam Hussein is a pathological liar and is currently lying about having disarmed. I am a Republican, so I am not partisan against Bush. Although I have only been in an Air Force Auxiliary search and rescue group, I would consider myself somewhat military in nature.

Having said that, I am a “peacenik.” Why? Despite all that Saddam Hussein has said and done, I believe there are greater considerations.

First, despite Iraq’s work to thwart inspections, we still have not found any hard evidence of weapons. For me this means something like a bunker with chemical warheads or some stored biological materials. Although unlikely to be found, without this evidence, any attack would be at best based on circumstantial evidence and at worst based on ulterior motives.

There are three reasons war should require hard evidence. First and foremost, I would estimate at least 100,000 people would die or be injured in the war. The overwhelming majority would be Iraqi, but these are people just like you and me. They have mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers and worst of all sons and daughters who need them to come home again. Secondly, the last time we fought Iraq it was either over oil or because they invaded Kuwait. I supported the war because countries should not be allowed to just invade one another. If we invade Iraq this time, without hard evidence, then we make that war and this one purely about oil and politics. Thirdly, Iraq has no weapons capable of reaching the United States borders.

Remember this isn’t some exciting sports game; this is life or death for many real people.

Patrick Green

Senior

Mechanical Engineering