U.S. too quick to go to war

I was drafted into the Army in 1963 and served proudly. In those days if you didn't pass the physical you were a sissy. Since then, after three wars, my mind has changed.

Now, I believe with my whole heart and soul that our senators, representatives, vice president, president and whoever votes for war should have their children boy or girl, 18 years and older be the first ones to go. No deferments of any kind. Finish college if and when they get back. No Reserves or National Guard allowed. Let's see how fast they vote for war.

President Bush had two daughters of military age at the time and Vice President Cheney had one daughter that I know of who could have gone to Iraq. Instead, the people of lesser means and clout have to protect our freedom.

I am so very bitter with our government so easily sending our young people to war in the cause of freedom. I can understand going to Afghanistan to get Osama bin Laden for 9/11 since after nine years he is still riding his camel in the sand. With all the intelligence we have, give me a break.

Vietnam was a waste of 58,000-plus lives not counting thousands of injured with no arms or legs lying in a filthy V.A. hospital for the rest of their lives. Iraq also has been a waste of precious lives, and for what? We had U.N inspectors looking for weapons of mass destruction and found none. Who are we that we have to police the world? No wonder the rest of the world hates us. No matter how much good we do to help people around the world with natural disasters, we are still hated.

Kenneth B. Posch

Schaumburg