Letters to the Editor : Why are we so complacent about the war?

Letters to the Editor

Why are we so complacent about the war?

Bravo on the viewpoint “The cost of war” in the July 30 edition. I often think about why we, as a whole, seem to be so complacent about the war. It’s acknowledged, of course, that there are thousands of voices crying out to be heard, but truly it should be millions marching in the streets and demanding an end to this madness. Where are they? The sad fact is, as you outlined, those millions are watching and are more passionate about “American Idol” on Fox.

Growing up in the ‘60s, I recall the nightly news very serious stuff. A good portion of the content was war footage or anti-war activities. What do we see now on any news program? Perhaps a 30-second if that update of the latest Iraq/Afghanistan/Pakistan bombing. Have we noticed that a good deal of time is spent reporting sports or the weather?

Perhaps our complacency has to do with a lack of a draft along with the growth of shopping malls, fast food and techno gadgets. I think we are or we will soon become used to paying more for gas. Life will go on as usual because we aren’t about to change our habits. Until the mass information stream gets tougher, and the dalliances of Paris and Brittany get thrown aside, and we start to get back our self-respect, the blood in the gutters you mentioned will continue to be running in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East.

Sue Gilmore

Highland

What is the point of your editorial?

I guess I’m just having a hard time ascertaining what point you are trying to make in your editorial. You write that it is not the typical subject for your news pages. I rarely see anything that connects Hudson Valley business to what (U.S. Rep. Maurice) Hinchey, (U.S. Rep. John) Hall, (U.S. Rep. Nita) Lowey or (U.S. Rep. Eliot) Engel really believe about capitalism and free markets let alone what we are spending on war. If businessmen are going to connect public policy with tax remittance shouldn’t you be paying attention to the above public officials’ constituencies of the tort bar, labor unions, enviros and the safety wackos? You think this war is expensive, why don’t you see what Maurice’s trial lawyers cost U.S. business in financial services, health care and loss of global competitiveness. You are a “business paper” and you say this war is about oil? It sounds like some deep-seated populist alien is trying to burst out of your gut. You should be explaining the global energy market, not (attempting) to g

War doesn’t make sense. Wow, that’s so deep. We just did this for the heck of it. Not the greatest strategic choice poorly executed, choking on waste and corruption in the development area but the bad guys are still there and need to be killed. I’m happy to pay for it.

Seth N. Arluck

New Hampton

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