Letter: Military action won’t bring peace to Iraq

Wednesday, May 16, 2007 | 7:15 a.m.

Max R. Heeman's May 15 letter, "Democrats will learn hard lesson in 2008," states that the Republicans will win in 2008 because polls show "that the American people will not stand for a total collapse into chaos, slaughter and a humiliating national defeat in Iraq."

Mr. Heeman does not identify the polls to which he refers, nor does he indicate the wording of them, but most of us would oppose chaos, slaughter and a humiliating national defeat, and most of us would also favor stability in Iraq.

I would also like to win the Nevada state lottery, but, as there is no lottery here, I have as much chance of winning it as the United States has of gaining stability with military action. War is not peace.

I cannot predict which party will win our elections in 2008, but the idea that the Republicans can prevent another 9/11 by blowing things up is growing stale with most Americans , whom I hear saying, "Bring our troops home now!"

Ending the occupation is the same idea echoed by the majority of Iraqis, including their government officials. It is the height of imperial arrogance to suggest that Iraqis cannot work out their own problems - that we are the adults and they are but squabbling children, toddlers really - who cannot even stand up so that we can stand down.

Jerry Bitts, Las Vegas