Letter: Bush doing right with defense

Wednesday, May 16, 2001 | 9 a.m.

George Will's column on missile defense is the first and only comment that hits the mark. All of the other reporters and columnists seem to be against the idea on some specious basis such as it will offend some other country.

That has nothing to do with the matter; the Constitution is what controls; it mandates the government "... to provide for the common defense ..." and that's all there is to it. Whether it is perfect or not is not the test. The correct test is whether it is the best system we can produce to protect the most possible citizens.

I recall the days of President Kennedy and the Cuban missile crisis. We had two small children to protect. There was no civil or military defense plan. Should I dig a cave in the back yard; should we move to the desert? There was no leadership, guidance, nor hope. I felt betrayed by my government. It was and still is liberal chic to oppose any defenses.

The rifle and the pistol do not work as reliably as the crossbow, nor do they work in fog or at night, but all armies carry them. Tactics, strategy, concealment, diplomacy, propaganda and uncertainty all enter into the decision to deploy.

The opinions of the world press should be kept well down in the decision ladder. George Will has shined the light of truth and practicality on the problem. President Bush and the Cabinet are doing the right thing.

LORRIN PETERSON, Pahrump