Imagine The Nerve

To the Editor:

Imagine the nerve of some people...actually using their democratic rights, which countless veterans have fought and died for, by having a peace vigil in Newtown, Connecticut. How dare the newspaper even cover such a thing. How dare these people even question our Commander in Chief (one who so honorably served himself)! Why can’t they just be quiet and support our boys’ fight in Iraq? Why can’t they just be good citizens and keep their mouths closed? Haven’t they learned anything from those most unpatriotic Vietnam War protesters who cost us that war?

What does it matter if the reasons our President gave to send our boys to Iraq were based on lies. There never were any weapons of mass destruction. There never has been a credible link between Al Qaeda and Iraq. There never has been a link between 9/11 and Iraq. Most of the hijackers involved in 9/11 were from Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Yet, those countries remain our close allies. There are far greater threats to this country from North Korea and Iran than there ever has been from Iraq. Yet, we should all be good citizens, keep our mouths closed and stand by our Commander in Chief.

Since our stated reasons for going to Iraq in the first place have proven to be false, the President now says that we are in Iraq to bring democracy to an oppressed people. However, I’m not so sure the people of Iraq see us as their liberators. Meanwhile the people in countries like Rwanda, Somalia and the Sudan are desperate for our assistance and are given little or none.

Some would say we are making progress toward establishing a democracy in Iraq (much like we were winning the war in Vietnam). There is a new constitution about to be signed. This constitution has established Islam as the official religion. This new constitution allows religious courts to rule, operating on Shariah, or Islamic law, which steps on the rights of women. The seats in the Assembly which were to be reserved for women are now called “transitional.” However our President hails this constitution as an “amazing event.” How dare we question him?

Now Cindy Sheehan wants to meet with the President. The President has refused. Why should Mr Bush have to actually face people who disagree with him? Why should he have to answer difficult questions? He is, after all the President and he is a very busy man. So what is he doing that is so important that the President cannot meet with a woman who’s son gave the supreme sacrifice? Our President is taking a five-week vacation, meeting with important people, like Lance Armstrong, for bike rides. Imagine the nerve of people who actually question him.

Josette Ritzinger

Winding Brook Road, Newtown                                                                                              August 29, 2005