To the editor:
This March 19 completes seven full years of the war in Iraq. The war in Afghanistan has been going on even longer. World War II lasted just over 3 1/2 years.
Let’s not forget the costs. As of March 9th here are the figures: 5,395 U.S. soldiers killed; and 42,000 U.S. soldiers wounded [www.icasualties.com] $970 billion [www.costofwar.com]. These are only U.S. costs. It is simply impossible to quantify the losses suffered by the Iraqi and Afghan peoples.
And what exactly have we purchased with our [and their] blood and treasure? In all honesty we don’t know. Ask yourself even the most basic of politicians’ questions: Are you better off today than you were seven years ago? I am not hearing many, if any, positive answers to that question in the national or local media. I bet every one of you could think of a dozen more productive ways to spend a trillion bucks.
Yet we have watched, and continue to watch, our leaders pour money into war. And we do little or nothing.
But here’s something you can do: On Friday March 19 from 5-6 p.m., join us on the Aroostook River Bridge in Presque Isle, to demonstrate your desire for peace and your opposition to the continuing waste of our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Stand and be counted for peace.
You might also want to attend a teach-in on the wars, which is taking place in Bangor on March 20 from 1-5 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 120 Park St.
And there is the regular Sunday Bridges for Peace demonstration from noon to 1p.m. on the same Aroostook River Bridge in Presque Isle. This demonstration has taken place every Sunday for seven full years. Please join us.
Steve DeMaio, Wade
Mike Lyng Lee, Mass.
Alice Bolstridge Presque Isle
Bill Urban, Presque Isle
John Cancelarich Presque
Carol Ayoob, Castle Hill
Betty Dexter, Fort Fairfield
