As a world leader, the United States has an awesome responsibility to set s proper example for the rest of the world. Nations, like people, follow their leader.

For instance, when we openly start advocating the use of tactical nuclear weapons, it lends an air of legitimacy to use of nuclear weapons by India and Pakistan. If we attack Iraq in the name of anti-terrorism, China will rationalize a green light to attack Taiwan for their own perceived security needs.

What is particularly bothersome is a scenario where we invade Iraq and “win.” What then? There appears to be a naive assumption that we will be welcomed as liberating heroes, a democratic government will spring up and we will be able to bring our forces home in a few years.

There is a lot more involved in “winning” than knocking off a bad regime. The risks of destabilizing the entire Middle East need to be thoroughly and openly addressed before opening Pandora’s box.

Gene Wilbur

Parkman