I am writing in response to the Jan. 27 letter, “Not everyone can go off to war” by Zachariah Varney. In his letter, Mr. Varney stated that there would be nobody left to lead the nation if the politicians in Washington physically went off to war.

I believe that Mr. Varney missed the essential point of Ryan Gerdes’ Jan. 23 letter, “Dear all, stand up for your beliefs.” As I was watching “TR: An American Lion” on the History Channel, there was one quote that caught my attention; it was when Theodore Roosevelt said that it would be highly hypocritical of him, who believed war was necessary, to let his soldiers go to war, and just stand behind and watch them. Although I am not for war, I cannot help but admire President Roosevelt for saying and doing such a thing.

It seems to me that this was what the article “Dear all, stand up for your beliefs” was all about. Mr. Gerdes did not try to say: “I am against war or afraid of the personal consequences.” Rather, he said that nobody should ever say: “We should go to war” unless they are ready to face the repercussions.

I see that Mr. Varney is willing to serve his country, and I respect his choice.

However, many people who say that “we need war” only think that it is the duty of the military, and that they can only pray for the lives of the combatants. It is this attitude, I believe, that Mr. Gerdes is arguing against.

War is a sensitive subject and people believe in different things, but please, take your time to reflect, and remember that in saying yes to war, you should be agreeing to die for war too. If your answer remains unchanged, that war is the only option, then you are qualified to say that we should go to war.

Tam Chantem

Senior

Computer Engineering