Short Takes : Author Clancy Sees End to War

Best-selling author Tom Clancy, whose “The Hunt for Red October” and other thrillers are noted for their detail of military technology and combat maneuvers, says an end to war is desirable and possible.

“There’s no law of God or nature that says we have to have a conflict anywhere,” Clancy said Sunday.

He is in Omaha through today to speak at a benefit for the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce and the Omaha Public Library Foundation. He is also scheduled to tour Strategic Air Command headquarters with Gen. John T. Chain, the SAC commander, as his guide.

Known for being publicity-shy, he reportedly consented to the visit at the urging of Chamber of Commerce President Bob Bell, a retired Navy vice admiral he met at the Pentagon.

“I got hustled very skillfully,” he said. “I don’t mean to seem ungracious, but I have four kids. I’m just domestic, I’m sorry. I think there were two weeks in this year I didn’t have to leave home for something.”