Letter: Peaceniks, are you with us?

Friday, Oct. 5, 2001 | 4:31 a.m.

The final sentence of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address is appropriate 138 years later in the aftermath of these attacks on the World Trade Center:

"It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this earth."

I would like to tell these so-called peaceniks -- who are demonstrating in cities here and elsewhere, stating that military action is not the only solution -- that military action is the correct one, and to remember the above sentence from Lincoln's Gettysburg address.

Perhaps they would like to take their message in person to Osama bin Laden, because I for one would buy them a one-way ticket to Afghanistan. As George the Dragonslayer says, you are either with us or you are with them.

WALLY COX