A standard of behavior

Red is the symbol for blood. American blood. Iraqi blood. All blood.

Red is also the symbol for courage. The courage to speak out now and state that the United States will not start a war in the Persian Gulf — not tomorrow, not next week, not next month — never.

No “incident” should be allowed to change this commitment. There are and always will be other alteranatives in resolving conflict.

To create and nurture alternatives to violence, it is very important that we citizens begin a national dialogue to ensure that the voice of the American people becomes the voice of the president. It is our nation. It is our future. It is our duty.

There are some questions that need asking. In this democracy, in this world, who should decide on going to war? What are the alternatives to war? What are the short-term and long-term implications of war?

In the years to come, how will our children judge today’s actions? It’s our responsibility to leave them a standard of behavior to respect and honor.

James Vyhnak

Bangor