TO THE EDITOR:

The spin doctors would like you to believe that the success of the surge justifies continuing our war in Iraq. Here is what the military is saying "The number of U.S. military and Iraqi civilian deaths has dropped dramatically - 37 Americans died in October, the lowest monthly figure since March 2006 when 31 perished, according to the U.S. military." Do the math: that means there were six more deaths in October this year than in March last year. This year, in fact, will be among the deadliest since the war began.

The Bush administration refused to establish targets for our continuing the war. Why, because they were afraid they might not achieve them. Instead, they are playing the same card that was played on the American public during the Vietnam War, playing the spin doctor to say things are getting better, but always qualifying it, as our U.S. military concluded  last month in describing the impact of the surge, "It is too early to declare a turning point in the conflict."

The cost of this war is approaching $500 billion. The number of coalition member deaths has reached 4,203 and at least another 28,711 U.S. troops have been wounded in action, according to the Pentagon. This was a war waged on a lie and is now be continued with "smoke and mirrors."

The U.S. Catholic Bishops have reiterated their opposition to this war. It is an unjust war when evaluated against the criteria for just wars. It is not only the cost in lives and in dollars to American taxpayers, but it has made us less safe, it has compromised our image in the world, and it has diminished our capacity to address those conditions that feed the likelihood of war, violence and unrest: poverty, hunger, illiteracy and so on.

As we enter 2008, we might want to reflect on what Jesus would do; we might learn the true road to peace is not war, but non-violence, love, addressing injustices and negotiation.

Robert G. Walz
North Branch