Edge of a Cliff
By EMILIE HANNON

March 24 , 2003   

To the Editors,

I have opposed the war with Iraq for primarily the same reasons many support it; my concerns for our safety and National security, and global stability.  Since the war began I have hoped and prayed that I was wrong in all my fears about the consequences of this action.  Unfortunately, four days into the war, my fears are already beginning to come to pass.

Many of our historic allies are accusing us of acting in violation of international law.  Alliances are beginning to break down.  Turkey has ignored our ‘instructions’ and entered Northern Iraq.  After years of committing unspeakable atrocities against the Kurds, they find the possibility of a Kurdish state on their southern borders to be a potential threat and, as we have been saying so loudly, if a nation perceives a possible or potential threat from another country, it is perfectly justified in waging preemptive war.  Stability is breaking down.

As far as the most recent reason President Bush gave for the need to invade Iraq, namely our safety and security, where do we stand?  We have attacked Iraq and I have no doubt we will eventually win.  In the meantime, we have not even challenged the many countries; Libya, Syria, Iran, and Pakistan, to name a few, who have consistently supported, financed, and harbored terrorists.  So, while leaving the terrorist networks all but intact, we have taken an action guaranteed to provoke a terrorist response.  Now every Islamic terrorist group has joined Al Quaeda in Jihad against the US, and have threatened to attack our citizens and our interests all around the world.  Even moderate Muslim clerics who had counseled peaceful resistance are now calling for Jihad against the US and it’s allies.  I don’t feel safer, do you?

Like all the anti war protesters I have met, I support our troops.  Is it possible to support our troops and not the President?  Of course it is.  Our soldiers are valiantly and honorably fulfilling the commitment they made to our nation.  I admire them tremendously.  As to President Bush, we believe he is leading our country off the edge of a cliff.  We would be abdicating our responsibility as citizens of a democracy if we didn’t dig in our heels and do our damnedest to keep the entire nation from following him over the brink to destruction.