To the editor:

Does anyone remember Bush’s declaration of “no nation building” and “certainly not by force” from his presidential campaign? While debating Al Gore, Bush said, “The vice president and I have a disagreement about the use of troops. He believes in nation-building. If we don’t stop extending our troops all around the world in nation-building missions, then we’re going to have a serious problem down the road.”

It would seem he decided that destroying countries with no clear plan to rebuild them would be a good, responsible thing for the United States to do. Well, guess what? We are now down the road a couple of years, and we have a passel of serious problems with no end or answers in sight.

We have created the perfect breeding ground for terrorism in Iraq. Lawlessness, chaos, frustration, anger and distrust are all key components when recruiting future terrorists. We are enabling these terrorists to regroup thus validating the administration’s claims of al-Qaida in Iraq.

Folks, we need to pay attention to the rising body count and re-evaluate our motives for fighting in Iraq and other countries around the world. The bodies or what is left of them, are being shipped home almost in single file, but one plus one plus one add up. One innocent life lost is one too many in a war that the American people were duped into supporting by an administration who is all too willing to say one thing and do another.

Doris Stine,

Lawrence