To the editor:

Fifty-three percent of those polled (1/23), feel the president hasn’t clearly explained what is at stake to justify war. Statistics don’t impress those who are accustomed to having their own way. Bush is willing to proceed without the support of allies, comparing the work of the “so-called inspectors” to the “rerun of a bad movie” that he is not willing to watch. He has the sound turned down, too. The consequences could be that thousands of lives and billions of dollars will be lost.

If time is of the essence and a smoking gun exists, the inspectors should be given this information. This intelligence must be revealed if domestic and world support is to be gained. The go-it-alone attitude will get this administration only so far.

Remember his “dead or alive” rhetoric? I think he must’ve been speaking of his political career, not bin Laden. Sooner or later, he will run out of things to use as diversionary tactics against the devastated economy, irresponsible environmental reversals, soaring unemployment and the fact that he has got a country full of dissatisfied customers. Remember, he is supposed to be working for us!

Those who don’t agree with engaging Iraq in war should continue to protest, write letters and speak out. Historically, it is important to do so. This crisis should not be allowed to go down in history as depicting George Bush as a leader who maintained the support of neither the people he was supposed to represent nor our country’s allies.

Doris Stine,

Lawrence