France Uses NATO and U.N. to Brake U.S. Rush to War

Thanks to French President Jacques Chirac for opposing the war against Iraq. His courageous stand against U.S. war policy defies the usual acquiescence of nations to major superpowers. As a colonial power of the past, France understands the strengths and weaknesses of colonialism. The Bush policy is a type of neocolonialism, akin to the arrogance shown by the earlier colonial powers from the 16th to the 20th century. I believe France and other former superpowers have essentially divested themselves of colonialism.

Hopefully, the U.S., as the 21st century leader, will use its powers and influence to democratize rather than subjugate other people. For most of our history we have stood as a bastion of freedom and assistance to needy nations across the world. But the Bush policy is dangerous and is a destabilizing force in our fragile world community today.

Twice in the 20th century, the U.S. has helped to free France from being overrun and ruled by dictatorial tyrants. Yes, France owes much to the U.S., but it does not owe its soul to us or any other nation. Hopefully, France will continue to be a force for good and by doing so will benefit all of us.

Samuel Whitson

Lakewood

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For the past few weeks I have read letters about our saving France in both world wars. The U.S. did not enter either war to save France or anyone else. In WWII, Hitler declared war on the U.S. on Dec. 10, 1941.

That is why we helped France and Britain and not out of compassion for allies. In WWI it was the same. We stayed out of the war until the Germans declared unrestricted submarine warfare in the spring of 1917. Our assistance to France was collateral; it happened to be the best route to Germany. Our main goal was to defeat the Germans, who brought us into the war. Otherwise we would have stayed on the sidelines, as we indeed did for over two years in each war.

Kenneth Barkin

Professor of History

UC Riverside

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Vive la France!

Louis Robins

Van Nuys

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War: How much is it going to cost in bullets, bombs, equipment, deaths, injuries, emotional scars, long-term care, retaliation and rebuilding? Not to mention the damage to our credibility and character in the world community. It’s like the old saying: If you have to ask how much something costs, you can’t afford it.

John Henrichs

Los Angeles

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The two people most in favor of war with Iraq: President Bush and Osama bin Laden. One seems to be playing the other like a puppet. If there is any one thing in this world that could possibly bring America down it is starting a war with unforeseen consequences.

John Fairborn

Newport Beach

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World history has proven that most evil leaders (fortunately) are pretty stupid. The Taliban in Afghanistan granted refuge to Bin Laden and then refused to hand him over to the greatest power on Earth. Saddam Hussein is waiting in the wings to be the next statistic. When will they ever learn?

Andrew Weeraratne

Marina del Rey

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Bush is planning to slaughter thousands of people. This is a painful thought. No matter how many thousands of miles away we were, we all felt the agony of those who died on 9/11. Likewise, we will all suffer from the unwarranted deaths of innocent Iraqi people.

David Zasloff

Los Angeles

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They say misery loves company. I’m taking quite a bit of comfort knowing that the rest of the world is finally getting a taste of how the Bush administration treats its own population, namely, with complete disregard and even contempt for opposing views and ideas. My initial concerns about a Bush presidency have at last grown into a genuine fear.

Gary Durrett

Glendale