Dougherty Arts Center
If We Are Fighting a War, Let's Formally Declare It
RECEIVED Fri., May 4, 2007
Dear Editor,
If we are fighting a war in Iraq or Afghanistan or anywhere, let us follow the Constitution and formally declare one.
If we are fighting a declared war, let us fight the war in a way that gives everyone a stake in what is happening and treats the soldiers we have fairly. Let us demand the introduction of a draft, so that the burden of the war does not fall disproportionately on those who see the military as the only way to improve their lives, or even to become American citizens.
A draft would also create a military force big enough so that we would not have to extend the tours of duty of our brave troops from 12 to 15 months.
If we are fighting a declared war with American citizen soldiers chosen from a cross section of American families – perhaps even some families of members of Congress and even the executive branch – let us make sure that the officers that we put on the ground are given all the support that they need.
Their firsthand reports should be taken seriously. They should work with other trained officers and soldiers, not in isolation with contract mercenaries.
We should also follow the Geneva Conventions and other international accords that protect as much as possible the humanity of our brave soldiers and in ourselves.
The main issue brought to our attention in the case of Ted Westhusing [“'I am Sullied – No More'” & “Ted's Ghost,” News April 27] is not whether we should be fighting or not.
That is for all of us citizens to decide once we are fighting a real war with real consequences for us all, and in a way that honors and protects the soldiers and officers we put into what is now an inferno of insurgent and sectarian suicide bombings and other forms of killing.
If we are fighting a war in Iraq or Afghanistan or anywhere, let us follow the Constitution and formally declare one.
If we are fighting a declared war, let us fight the war in a way that gives everyone a stake in what is happening and treats the soldiers we have fairly. Let us demand the introduction of a draft, so that the burden of the war does not fall disproportionately on those who see the military as the only way to improve their lives, or even to become American citizens.
A draft would also create a military force big enough so that we would not have to extend the tours of duty of our brave troops from 12 to 15 months.
If we are fighting a declared war with American citizen soldiers chosen from a cross section of American families – perhaps even some families of members of Congress and even the executive branch – let us make sure that the officers that we put on the ground are given all the support that they need.
Their firsthand reports should be taken seriously. They should work with other trained officers and soldiers, not in isolation with contract mercenaries.
We should also follow the Geneva Conventions and other international accords that protect as much as possible the humanity of our brave soldiers and in ourselves.
The main issue brought to our attention in the case of Ted Westhusing [“'I am Sullied – No More'” & “Ted's Ghost,” News April 27] is not whether we should be fighting or not.
That is for all of us citizens to decide once we are fighting a real war with real consequences for us all, and in a way that honors and protects the soldiers and officers we put into what is now an inferno of insurgent and sectarian suicide bombings and other forms of killing.
Tom Palaima
