Letter: Too many have died in vain

Friday, Sept. 24, 2004 | 9:15 a.m.

On the campaign trail, President Bush says, "America and the world are safer," allluding to his leadership. I seriously doubt that the people in Russia, Israel, Palestine, Iraq and the Sudan believe that he has made their part of the world safer.

I doubt that the more than 1,000 GIs who died in vain in Iraq would have felt safer because of his leadership. And I doubt that the more than 7,100 GIs who have been wounded or maimed for life would agree he has made the world safer.

Vice President Dick Cheney, while speaking to a Bush crowd, said, in effect, that if Americans elect Kerry there will be another attack on the U.S. This is the most un-American statement by a sitting vice president in my 72-year lifetime. The remark was especially offensive coming from a draft dodger who once said, "I had other priorities" when asked why he chose to enjoy five deferments instead of enlisting or standing for the draft as our involvement in Vietnam grew into full-scale war.

I was heartened when I learned that several GIs who served in Iraq have formed a group that will play a role in opposing Bush in the election.

Karl Rove, another chicken hawk who never donned a military uniform for his country, said that "Bush could run as a war president," or words to that effect.

I, as a volunteer Korean-era veteran who served this country in the U.S. Air Force for four years, say, without reservation, that more than 1,000 of our GIs have died in vain in Bush's war against the Iraqi people.

JAMES J. POUPARD