George:

It is not my opinion that anyone who questions the military is ignorant or traitorous. Several people, like Ward, in response to my article have used the word traitorous. Anyone reading that article will find no derivation of the word traitorous. I have not stated that anyone who questions the military is ignorant – guilty of ignorant activities – yes. I however, am specifically attacked as being “blissfully unaware” or that “Actual historical fact has no place in (my) vision of the past or present”.

Unfortunately, and in order to achieve a specific military goal, we are going to have to accept the fact that casualties should be expected – both civilian and militarily.

Representatives of the Taliban have offered to have a meeting with President Bush and British P.M. Tony Blair. They have been advised to bring their own Kalishnikov AK-47 and meet for a duel in Afghanistan. These are the kind of people that a lot of peaceniks are trying get us to try other methods of negotiation with.

I suppose that we could go into Afghanistan to fight the Taliban with foot soldiers and armored vehicles, however are the peaceniks going to protest when we start losing the lives of American soldiers? Bombing ensures the safety of our soldiers when they hit the ground – soften up the enemy a bit. And YES, SOME AFGHAN CIVILIANS MAY UNNECESSARILY DIE AS A RESULT OF U.S. BOMBING.

Furthermore, anyone writing in disagreement with my article is simply doing the same thing I am - trying to persuade the other side to see their way. Sure, immolation is a bit extreme, but what would be wrong with putting your money where your mouth is and going to Afghanistan? What is wrong with agreeing with me? I have read and taken to heart some of the articles written against my fulmination.

Yes, Ward, “disagreeing with U.S. Government policies does not mean that you hate America”. Those are your words – and I agree with you.Jim Shea’s words are: “America: love it or leave it!” – not my words.

My words are: If you hate America – get the hell out.

If you disagree with the U.S. Government or it’s policies, fine with me, I hate most of them as much as you do. I benefit from listening to or reading comments of all those that have actually decided to speak their opinion publicly.

If you don’t agree with me, I don’t care if you stay in this country – where you have the right to speak freely. Guess what else, Ward? I might even learn something from you and others in our discussions. Are you and others that have misread or distorted my article willing to even admit that you may learn something from me as well?

Never graduating – always learning,

Will Lyster (electronic mail, November 7, 2001).