Debate Over U.S. Policy in Persian Gulf

I am a college student and I found it refreshing to see someone from my generation thinking and writing about the big issues. I appreciate your printing Christopher Martin’s opinion piece (“We Who Object Must Be Heard,” Nov. 16). Now I must say that I am on the other side of the issue than he is in many respects.

Martin criticized commentators for calling Hussein a “bully and Butcher of Baghdad.” What exactly would Martin call an evil man like Hussein? Hussein has used chemical weapons to murder, has taken hostages and destroyed Kuwait. He also rules with an iron fist in his own country. He is indeed evil.

I do agree with Martin that this is not a game, but Hussein must be stopped both for his crimes and for the strong possibility of his acquiring nuclear weapons. I understand Martin’s concerns, but evil usually does not go away by itself. Appeasement was horrible during the Second World War. Let us not appease again. Hussein must be stopped and hopefully destroyed.

MARK COHEN

Fountain Valley