Letter: Time has come to criticize war on terrorism

Tuesday, April 23, 2002 | 8:44 a.m.

The time has come when the patriotic thing to do is challenge the government's way of fighting terrorists. Let's stop shaking in our boots with our mouths shut, for fear of being called unpatriotic. The administration's present course leads toward more Vietnams and bankruptcy. Do we follow them over the cliff, like a brainless herd of buffalo stampeded by al-Qaida Indians?

To begin with, terrorists are not a set piece army that can be destroyed by our armed forces, as skillful as they are. Terrorism is a disease that has spread around the world with cells in most countries. Should the U.S. attack them all?

To hunt down terrorists we need the help and friendship of the other nations. We are losing it. When one country sends an army into another country the people soon hate the invading country, no matter how worthy its cause. The policing troops are foreigners meddling in local affairs. Terrorists eventually become guerilla heroes in such countries because they are the most lethal fighters. The principle of "they may be SOBs but they are our SOBs" prevails. There are other ways to root out terrorists if we get the cooperation of other nations (and the United Nations, which we organized for such world problems).

The hawks are in control. Killing is leading to more killing. In a democracy, it is our duty to speak out when we think our leaders are wrong. Essentially, they are telling us to mind our own business; they know what is best. Nuts. We should all be involved.

PAUL GWIN