We all hate war. The thought of people dying for a cause leaves us with a sick feeling. But as the knight Renald put it, “If I am to have war I would rather have it now when I can win. Not when I am old and gray and upon my deathbed.” With this in mind, let me make the case for a war now with Iran.

Despite the situation in Iraq, even House Speaker Nancy Pelosi thinks Iran is a threat worth neutralizing, and despite most of her politics I agree with her. Its oppression of minorities and women speaks of its open bigotry. Its blatant disregard of the United Nations speaks of its disregard for world security. It even refuses to allow U.N. weapons inspectors full access to its facilities to inventory fuel rods. Finally Iran’s support of the Taliban in Afghanistan and its dealing arms to Iraqi militias makes it a threat to the safety and well-being of U.S. forces there.

Since the hostage crisis of 1978 Iran has not proved itself reliable or trustworthy. Its development of longer-range anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles means only one thing. Iran knows that only by war on America can it hope to free itself from the sanctions placed on it. It has earned our enmity, and if we do not pre-emptively strike it will strike.

John Morton

Baileyville