To the editor:

Reading the editorial encomium to Sen. Pat Roberts (Journal-World, Dec. 23), I was reminded of a call-in program Sen. Roberts did on National Public Radio early in 2003. There was debate at that time, though not nearly enough, on the subject of the impending U.S. invasion of Iraq. A lady caller, on the question of whether Saddam Hussein had WMDs and/or any way to use them on us, opined that, while she appreciated the “better their children than our children” argument, she felt that, given the uncertainty on the WMD question versus the certainty that many Iraqi children would be killed, the U.S. should exercise restraint and let the weapons inspections continue – for the sake of the Iraqi children. Sen. Roberts responded that, yes, that was the kind of public relations problem the U.S. had better be ready to deal with after the invasion.

The woman’s reaction was silence, although I think I may have heard her jaw drop. Mine did. I was dumfounded to hear my elected representative consider children killed by American bombs a “public relations problem.” I intend here no righteous indignation; there is far too much of that around already. But if I were a U.S. senator and ever uttered such a thing, I hope someone would have the good sense to tell me to hang it up. I voted for Sen. Roberts in 2002 but won’t next time. I’m sure he’ll do just fine without me. It’s just one vote, scarcely a political problem, let alone a “public relations problem.”

Dan V. Johnson,

Lawrence