I happened to read various editorials and opinion pieces in Wednesday’s Daily. To Wesley Griffin, who worries about his former roommate who is in the National Guard and wishes soldiers well, be prepared to stand up and fight for your country. Mr. Griffin, the military recruiting station is at North Grand Mall. Do your duty.

To Jason Bruen, who comments that we could plunge the world into a darkness of war and destruction unlike anything we’ve seen, spare me the hyperbole. We are in a war. These Muslim fanatics have been at it for years. These are not terrorists; these are fanatical soldiers. They are a tough, cunning foe capable of using their strengths against our weaknesses.

To Cavan Reagan’s “solution” of caring, we are at war, whether you realize it or not. Who is supposed to win this war? Are we going to have the Vietnam War college deferment syndrome again?

If this is, like some talking heads have said, similar to December 7, 1941, take action. To the Daily’s editorial writers, your touchy-feely editorial (“Open Forum Beneficial”) belongs in a trash bin. I do not recall reading about “forums” after the Pearl Harbor attack. FDR gave a moving address to the nation, Winston Churchill rallied Great Britain after his touchy-feely predecessor and “allies” didn’t have the courage to stand up to Hitler.

This country is at war, whether you like it or not. It will be tough. Do you want to fight that war? It sounds to me like Iowa Staters want others to do it while forums are conducted. With this attitude, the nation would have lost to the Japanese militarists and the Third Reich.

It’s easy to display the flag. It’s tough to put on a uniform when danger is imminent. Let’s see who the men and women are.

James K. Olderding

ISU alum

Ames