Letter: Protesters have an ethical right

Monday, March 31, 2003 | 9:11 a.m.

The recent lead editorial in the March 25 edition of the Sun, "Iraq war protesters are wrong," is an excellent example of the twisting of facts to make opponents of war appear as villains. Those of us who oppose war have a legal and ethical right and a moral responsibility to express our views.

The fact that fighting is already under way does not, in any way, make antiwar arguments moot. Any political action that has been started can be stopped if leaders have the intelligence and courage to do so. Millions of people worldwide see this unilateral and unjustified war against a country that has done nothing to the United States as unnecessary and unethical. Their right to say so should be supported.

Incidentally, why are the views of a newspaper editor using his pulpit to influence people more justifiable than an entertainment personality doing the same?

I will not use a purposely derisive term like "wrong-headed" to describe the Sun editorial staff's views, but will say that I respectfully and thoughtfully disagree with them on this issue, but, since they see fit to call my views offensive, I will reply that I find their editorial offensive. It would be more appropriate in the right-wing Review-Journal than in the Sun.

Finally, I am appalled by the suggestion that expressions of antiwar sentiment imply lack of support for our military personnel. As a combat veteran, I can say that the most valuable support for our military is to bring them home to safety.

WALLACE J. HENKELMAN