As a senior in political science, Sean Schmidt should realize that no war is ever truly won without a gracious victor and a sense of respect for the victor in the defeated nation. Throughout history, the United States has engaged in many wars in nations abroad, and more times than not has helped rebuild the nation they defeated.

Obvious examples of this surface in the aftermath of World War II, with the financial aid sent to Japan and Germany. These nations are now two of our closest allies.

Given these points, I believe the only way to truly eradicate terrorism is to win the hearts, minds and above all, respect of the nations who are affected by the campaigns in the Middle East.

Many Middle Eastern countries resent the United States and Western culture. Fundamentalist groups that stem from these nations feel a hatred for everything American because they feel the success of our culture is destroying theirs.

I am not a Muslim, but I feel it is important to cease fire for the Ramadan holiday as a sign of respect to the nation of Islam. To suggest that this action would be a sign of weakness is a grossly uninformed statement. The idea anyone here would mistake the military might of the United States, and think that taking some time off might give the opposition the advantage, is laughable.

Doing this as a sign of respect would be one of many steps that would be needed to ease the resentment and hatred so many people of this region feel for the United States.

It would also be a sign of deference to our Middle Eastern allies, who may not feel it is morally right to carry on a war during a sacred time. We wouldn’t be beneficial to lose allies right now.

Furthermore, it would show the Muslim communities in this country, which have offered their unwavering support to the destruction of terrorist regimes in the Middle East, that they do in fact have a voice and are respected.

Respect is a two-way street, and it has to be sent before it is returned. As this is a different kind of war, we need to concentrate on not breeding any more bin Ladens.

The United States does not have a history of taking cheap shots, or “fighting dirty.” We had every intention of observing the Tet Holiday during the Vietnam War, and everyone knows how that turned out.

We shouldn’t expect anything better from the terrorists, and we should never stoop down to their level.

For the past 100-some years, the United States has been the role model for much of the civilized world.

While we have made mistakes, we have done well to project an attitude of enlightenment and intelligence. I have unwavering faith in the commitment of our president and the incomparable might of our armed forces.

America has the opportunity to make the right choice in this situation, and to begin to right many wrongs in the eyes of Middle Eastern nations.

While America may have its share of flaws and has made its mistakes, it is still the greatest nation the world has ever seen, and there is nowhere else I’d rather live.

Jeffrey Snyder

Sophomore

Business