How ironic yet unfortunate 50 years bring to bear. In the late 1930s and early 1940s, yet another tyrant threatened the world. Through lend-lease and then direct military involvement, we changed the fate of millions.

After turning the tide of history, restoring sovereignty to the conquered, we helped in the reconstruction of victors and defeated alike, insuring a commitment for their further security. In doing so, we bore the brunt of research, development, and deployment of nuclear weapons. Along with the fiscal burden came a certain degree of guilt and an incomprehensible disposable problem.

Having checked the spread of communism in western Europe and the Far East, in Southeast Asia where we incurred the loss of more American lives in two wars, again Americans answered the call to arms and fought nobly. Now, with trouble in the Persian Gulf where the fuel for most of the world’s economies flows from, Americans are standing alone yet again. Our allies have yet to offer any substantial military assistance with the exception of the United Kingdom. With the amount of financial and military aid, including intelligence, you have to wonder why the recipients are reluctant to come forward.

If our allies and friends cannot commit their military assets, maybe we should re-evaluate our relationships with our allies. Being police to the world without multinational support and all too often constant criticism is tiring. Maybe trading our badge for a rocking chair would ease the strains on our national debt and relieve the dedicated men and women of our armed forces to endure future loss of life.

Rhetoric and condemnation will not deter Saddam Hussein. A multinational force, including Arab nations, must participate. Looking down the wrong end of a gun barrel will, however, increase his liabilities. John Dugas Greenfield