Jordan River Forum

If not war, what is our next option?\nIf "war is not the only option," as Duncan Teater's column headline proclaimed, then exactly what is? Mr. Teater's column gave no viable alternative. The fact that President George W. Bush did not earn a majority of the popular votes now seems like ancient history to the vast majority of the nation. (In fact, he earned a greater plurality than former President Bill Clinton did in 1992 or 1996, but who's counting?) The idea that Bush is somehow waging war without the consent of U.S. citizens is ridiculous. Every poll in the last month has been running at least 3 to 1 in favor of military actions. Why such derision towards "peace" activists? Because all but the most naive can see that stopping state-sponsored terrorism without military action is about as effective as stopping a serial killer without police involvement. The only other way to halt terrorist actions against us is to run our country the way the terrorists want us to. I can't imagine anyone (especially women) being in favor of that.\nEric Seymour\nLansdale, Pa.\nCampers should turn protest into patriotism\nI am writing this letter to those of you camping out in Dunn Meadow. I would be there myself standing on a soapbox to tell you this in person, but I have to work tomorrow in New York's Financial District. The stench of destruction still lingers and is a constant reminder of the terror that has been brought upon us. \nGo back to your dorms and affordable housing. Your position in the meadow is preposterous and naive. You are so far removed from the terror that we have felt, yet you feel it is necessary to let "your voice be heard." I ask you to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. If you do not care to, you are taking a subversive stance against your country. Ask yourself "why?" You don't have to do it in front of class. Stand in front of a mirror and take a good look at yourself. Indivisible.\nWhatever you believe regarding the righteousness of war, you must understand that our enemies wish to see us dead. You. \nIn their eyes, we are infidels, perverted, and Satan. Understand this. They do not recognize our great contributions to civilization or humanity. They are encouraged by their leaders to kill all Americans. They want to destroy our way of life and freedom. If you were to walk among them in their own land, they would tear you apart like rabid dogs. \nBelieve this.They do not respect their own people (re. Iraq gassed innocent civilians, women have NO rights, and children are kept ignorant and taught to hate us). Anyone of the things we do on a daily basis is cause for public humiliation, mutilation, and death in their land. Hey ladies, don't let your epidermis show if you want to see the sun rise again. Fellas, is your beard long enough?\nI ask you to take your misplaced energies in protesting our nations' actions and direct them toward doing your civic duty. Volunteer your time. Give blood. Raise money for food and support our efforts for relief in the Middle East. Be a true patriot during the battle of and for our lives.\nLove your fellow Americans and put aside your petty differences. Educate yourself, then others.\nDo not allow your tuition to support seditious ideologies spread by idealistic professors. This is not Vietnam, so don't listen to those freeze-dried hippies who believe that they know better than our leadership in times like these. \nUse your freedom of speech, but think before you talk. You will find that this is great advice once you mature. The war is in our backyards. Maybe you would realize that if you love or know someone who was killed, or worked five blocks from Ground Zero and escaped from New York on Sept. 11, or just opened your eyes.\nMark Bertalli\nAlumnus, New York\nCamp not the solution\nLike many Americans, I have been glued to the news for the last month. One would think as much as I have watched and read the news, the horror, sadness and anger I felt on Sept. 11 would have subsided by now. I should be numb by now, but I'm not. The sadness has worn down some, but the anger has only grown. But the anger doesn't only rest with the monsters that killed thousands of people, orphaned thousands of children and took away the innocence of the world's greatest country. It now also lays with those that blame the United States for the terrorist attacks. Those that sit around and present discussions about "why they hate us," which are premised on the belief that Americans have done something to provoke the mass murder of Sept. 11 It lies with anti-American protesters who set up tents and do nothing but jeer at those that love their country and exude patriotism. The smug self-righteousness, anti-Americanism, and hints of anti-Semitism (because of America's rightful support of Israel) makes them, by mine and most Americans' definitions, traitors. Sure, they have every right to express their views, but the majority of Americans, including myself, have every right to loudly condemn their foolishness. I'm happy to hear that others have called these people out for what they really are. It's about time the silent majority stand up and support America loudly in its endeavor to protect liberty, weed out evil, and avenge the tragic murder of thousands of Americans on Sept. 11.\nGreg Moorman\nAlumnus