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A different view from staff writer

To the editor:
I disagree with Barbara Brownís editorial in the last Post Review. Ms. Brown states that she is really tired of hearing people abuse their freedom of speech, that she is tired of people taking advantage of that freedom without even realizing where it came from, and that peace protestors are hypocrites.
She seems to be stating that those who disagree with the war and with the policies of the President should just sit down and shut up. Ms. Brown, disagreeing with the policies of the President does not mean that I am degrading U.S. soldiers or lack appreciation for our freedom. I love our country and have tried very hard to pass that love on down to my children.
We pray for peace and we pray for our soldiers and we pray that God will bless America.
Like many people, I am having a very difficult time with the Iraq war. I donít believe that it is only about oil, yet I also donít believe it is about liberating the Iraqi people. The link between Al-Qaeda and Iraq remains unproven; however, the actions we have taken will make it much more difficult for our intelligence agencies to collaborate with countries like the Philippines and Pakistan, where Osama bin Laden is currently believed to be hiding. I am worried that the instability and chaos that will result from this war will be more damaging to Americans and American interests in the long run than Saddam Hussein could ever be. I wish I knew, with confidence, what we are doing in Iraq.
Perhaps more than anything else, I am terrified of our new doctrine of pre-emptive war, which strikes me as risky and wrong. We are a nation of decent, hard-working, generous people. The idea that we would attack other countries because they MIGHT harm us someday is an affront to the ideas that made America great. Where, with this new doctrine of pre-emptive war, do we draw the line? How many lives will it unnecessarily put in harmís way?
I am glad that Ms. Brown can write her editorial ñ thatís what freedom of speech is all about. I hope her paper continues to cover all sides of the Iraqi conflict. Regardless of whether one is actively supporting the war, is uncertain about the war, or is actively protesting the war, being able to speak oneís mind is an important part of our democracy. How ironic if, while proclaiming the importance of democracy around the world, we should lose it here at home.
Amy Ries
North Branch

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