To the editor:

The photograph on the front page of the April 1 Lawrence Journal-World of bodies hanging from a bridge in Iraq was sobering, but I was not outraged as some other readers apparently were. I was troubled however, by the editorial the next day.

The piece reminded us that we were at war but felt hollow when looking back at the J-W’s coverage of Iraqi events. Numerous times, reports of American servicemen killed in Iraq have been relegated to inside pages while some piece of local fluff graces the front page. When opportunity arises to cover the war with a “local point of view,” it is often mishandled. The coverage covering raising the speed limits in Kansas made no mention of the resultant decrease in fuel efficiency such a change would entail.

Yes, we are in a struggle that will determine the future composition of this world. But your stand, unfortunately, is not helping in the pursuit of a just, long-range victory. To simply say America must respond with brute force to avenge the outrages of Fallujah is only fanning the specter of fear that seems to be the strategy of many elected officials.

This will be a real war only if America is expected to sacrifice something other than the lives of young Marines, soldiers and sailors; 597 deaths as of April 2. It cannot be business as usual filling the SUVs and Hummers with Mideast oil as the major parties only snipe at each other and miss the real problems we face.

Please show your commitment.

G.J. Bronicki,

Lawrence