Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Decision on war is never easy

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, Oct. 17, 2002 | 8:09 a.m.

The temptation to take on President Bush and his "let's go to war" advisors is strong, but, I fear, my knowledge is somewhat limited and my reactions are too emotional.

I hate the thought of hundreds of young men and women (or even one) losing their lives in a country far away.

And for what?

We are told Saddam Hussein is building a mighty arsenal of chemical and nuclear weapons. We know he is a fierce and shrewd dictator, who would do almost anything to get what he wants. And what he wants is to dominate the Middle East.

He hates the United States.

What we don't know is just how many Arab nations might rally around him should the United States attack Iraq.

Remember when it was Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi who was the evil one to be feared?

One can't help wondering whose side he would choose in case of an attack on an Arab nation.

There are so many "ifs" and concerns that need to be considered. As ordinary citizens, we are spoon-fed information, as our leaders claim, to protect the national security.

I admit to some ambivalence concerning the situation in Iraq, but if I were asked to vote for or against an all-out war, it would be no.

Perhaps I am confused by all the talking heads and pundits who appear on television to discuss the pros and cons. Where do all these experts come from?

On the lighter side.

A column from the Lovelock Review Miner by Eleanor Gottschalk reminded me to take a look at the door of my kitchen refrigerator.

She writes: "One of life's small pleasures has to be the refrigerator ornaments that stick to that utility appliance by means of a magnet. Several of these have been given to me by good friends who bought them as gifts or gave them to me just for the fun of it ...

"When the cards must be removed, I have a moment of enjoyment rereading all of them and remembering the day each commemorates. As for the magnets, the curly tailed dinosaur held three cards before he could no long maintain his strength; the little straw doll gave up much sooner; the thank you for not smoking warning held out as long as possible.

"Some of the cards must go. The opening of the refrigerator door precipitates a cascade of slithering cards too heavy to be held by those minute magnetic squares."

My own refrigerator is a photographic display. My daughter and I decked out in Rebel jackets on our way to a basketball game; a great-grandson in his all-star soccer uniform; grandchildren; a beloved dog I can't forget; a notepad which does double duty as a reminder of things to do; and a grocery list.

All are pinned down by magnets of every shape and color from ladybugs to cats and pigs.

As with all things, I realize it's time for changes to be made. New photos will replace the old.

Tempus fugit.

A large gathering of friends said a last goodbye to former Mayor Oran Gragson, honoring his achievements.

I believe Gragson's greatest accomplishment was as a model of integrity in public office and as a loving husband and father.

He was a Las Vegas legend.