Revenge or an end to Terrorism
Dear Editor,
The politically passionate of the nation should realize that their passion is about just that: Politics. Less than a week after Senator Daschle’s statements criticizing the President, his office introduced a measure calling for a resolution that in one draft states “The Senate stands united with the president in the ongoing effort to destroy Al Qaeda.”
In this case, I believe the definition that best applies to the word politics is given in the American Heritage Dictionary: “pol·i·tics n. – Intrigue or maneuvering within a political unit or group in order to gain control or power.” Senator Daschle may very well disagree with the President’s decision to aggressively root out Al Qaeda hotcells. And he certainly has a right to voice that opinion. He also has the right to voice a nearly opposite opinion one week later. However, the next time Senator Daschle speaks his mind, I’ll be much less inclined to listen to his uninhibited speech.
The United States now must decide why we sent troops to Afgahnistan. Were they sent to exact revenge on Bin Laden and his network, or were they sent to be the beginning to the end of terrorism? If they come home now, then eleven servicemen will have died for the vain cause of revenge–a short trip to Afghanistan to return the favor to Osama. If our troops stay, however, and root out terrorism in whatever harbors it has found, finishing the job, then eleven servicemen will have died for the cause of a terror-free nation for their families.
Ricky Fielding(435)752-1079519-17-2316rlfielding@cc.usu.edu