Americans should demand answers
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Editor,
Here are a few questions we really should be asking about our war. They are based on the facts. They may be questions we don’t really want to ask, or even confront, but “we the people” can either be like the head-in-the-sand ostrich or the wise old owl. Take your pick.
Fact: 23 percent of the U.S. budget deficit is the result of spending in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And this is just a fact about money. How about all the other issues associated with these conflicts?
One of our young men from Ronan just lost both legs and part of his left hand fighting in Afghanistan. And while pride of his brave and unselfish service is most profoundly recognized and honored, was it really necessary?
Questions: (1) What do we really have to show for it? (2) Are we, as a nation, really safer than we were when a few men were allowed into our country and trained in aviation procedures so that they could fly planes into the twin towers and the Pentagon? (3) Does the American public really know how the insurgency power has increased from 7,000 fighters in Afghanistan just a few years ago to more than 25,000 today with new recruits eager to fight the UN forces being trained in Pakistan and Afghanistan each day? (4) Why are our leaders continuing to ignore the most obvious signs of reluctance both in Pakistan and Afghanistan to solve their own problems? (5) Are “we the people” going to be able to influence our leaders to right action or is the political wrangling for very selfish and shortsighted reasons going to prevail?
I believe these to be very legitimate and realistic questions to which we deserve very legitimate and realistic answers.
I rest my case.
Bob McClellan
Polson
(Editor’s note: Mr. McClellan asked to clarify that he is taking exception with those in power, not those serving our country.)
