The recent military response of the U.S. against Iraq has aroused mixed feelings from the American public.

Some criticize President Clinton and his party in the call to arms.Others criticize the position of Dole and his supporters.

It seems that once again, an act of war has brought tension between the two parties while the rest of the world watches somewhat unconcerned.

What goals are to be accomplished in the attack on Saddam Hussein and his troops?

Yes, the threat or action of a man entering mandated no-fly zones in a violent attack against people and their land is an act that should not be taken lightly.

However, the Clinton administration and Dole should be careful not to address the issue directly from a political point of view.

With the hype and tension of the upcoming elections, it seems so easy to turn one’s actions into a political game. Sending U.S. troops into the Middle Eastern desert to fight for their country should only be done in the best interests of the American people and hopefully the rest of the world. Soldiers should not be used as tools for a political power play between desperate candidates just prior to a national election.

That’s not what having a military is about. At least, hopefully not here in America.

Bush acquired a sharp increase in the polls during the height of Desert Storm. Have Clinton and Dole considered those same consequences during this year’s race for the presidency?

No matter how many targets are destroyed, or more importantly, how many lives that are lost, this current military action should not be the air that inflates ratings points for candidates or become points of bipartisan discussion in the race for the White House.

Our military personnel and their families are worth a lot more than that.

One would hope that after all is said and done, our friends in Washington will realize that.