The arguments of war and politics

An open letter to James Prescott of Schaumburg (May 10): I seem to have hit a nerve with my armchair warriors and politicians statement.

There seems to be a lot of them around. Disdain? Hardly. Realistic? Probably. If you took offense, I apologize.

I come from a military family that stretches all the way back to the Revolutionary War. My ancestors fought in all but the Mexican War and the Spanish-American War, and, in the 20th Century, all the wars.

My father served his time aboard the Battleship USS Tennessee. My husband, a former Marine, retired in 1987 after 24 years.

Just recently, January to be exact, my cousin returned from Iraq where she served as an Air Force nurse stationed outside of Baghdad. You could say that I'm familiar with the military and war.

My cousin had some really interesting e-mails that she sent to the family. And isn't it a shame that the military is not really allowed to be political, at least until they leave the service permanently?

I'm sure they would have plenty to say, at least in the small section of the world my cousin and others inhabited.

You made an assumption in regards to Sen. McCain. I support his previous military service and I believe he's an honorable man. But, I'm not ready to anoint him, and I don't want to argue the point.

All this name-calling, anti-war rhetoric wears me out. It becomes redundant and after a while, I just shut down.

My father once told me, "Never argue religion or politics. You will never win. Be quiet and you won't get into trouble."

It was good advice. I think I'll follow it.

Bonnie Gustafson

Des Plaines