War, what is it good for?
Having just read the story of the US national, Lynn Miles, burning his passport in protest of the US invasion of Iraq while drumming in front of the AIT office in Taipei, I have thoughts of sympathy for him ("Activist burns passport in protest," Mar. 22, page 5).
His position as a protester is shared by many still living in America, and probably a number of American expatriates. There appear to be legitimate reasons to oppose the war with Iraq.
However, it is not clear from reading the article whether Miles said anything of substance while standing in front of the AIT office, his passport aflame, and frowning with his eyes closed.
Had Miles spoken some words of condemnation of the US-lead invasion that were supported by actual facts and figures, instead of merely broadcasting his opinions, it would have helped greatly in distributing truth and logical opposition. Instead, he used a valuable opportunity to draw attention to himself by burning his passport and beating a drum.
"To sever ties with his country," Miles even vowed "he would not reapply for his US passport until the Iraq war comes to an end." If he really considers burning his passport a reasonable act of protest, let it remain ashes.
I align myself with Lynn Miles if he is honestly questioning the motives of war on Iraq. I don't agree, however, that standing and making public demonstrations without mentioning facts and providing evidence to support a protest is a useful and constructive activity.
It is hoped that in the future, should he decide to protest future war efforts that are likely to occur in other countries, Miles will bring some facts along to share with those who may stop by. All those questioning the motives of this current war would appreciate his contributions.
Joshua Warren
Zhong-Li
Whatever its immediate cause, which so many federal agencies are rushing to ascertain, the recent space shuttle disaster -- and the one before it too -- really happened because NASA's funding was squeezed tighter and tighter. Now, on CNN, we're seeing where the money went instead.
We can see how more advanced the Americans' precision bombing and satellite guidance systems have become since the last war.
The American intelligence community really doesn't have the funding, and certainly not the vision, to go out and hire individuals who actually speak the languages of those places where religious zealots are working up trouble for us. How can we expect the CIA to be conversant with the misinterpretations of Islam that came out of Egypt in recent decades and that provide the philosophic underpinning for this whole current Muslim hatred of America.
I can't help but wonder if Washington wouldn't get more bounce for its buck by funding authentic Islamic studies as a way of stemming the spate of terrorism. The remedy should fit the disease.
Saudi Arabia doesn't have stealth bombers or the latest new tanks, but spends its oil billions founding fundamentalist religious schools all across the region. Too bad the US can't afford to give Pakistan and some of the surrounding countries a modern education system instead. This would cost billions.
Pakistan itself, of course, doesn't have the money because its atomic weapons program is so expensive. There's the same sad lack of vision at the helm everywhere in the Mid-east today. Saddam Hussein squanders his nation's oil riches on grander palaces for himself, more poisonous gases and lethal germs, and bigger phallic rockets for his generals while so many Iraqi children go malnourished. If he didn't have those weapons, no one would be attacking him today.
Bill Stimson
Wufeng, Taichung
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