Stricter criteria for war needed

As the headlines shout “Fighting terrorism”; “Soft on terrorism” and “Boots on the ground,” let us say, “No war! Not yet!“ Please, no more political grandstanding and saber rattling. No more sending our young men and women to war on false pretenses. No more war without a draft to insure shared commitment and war taxes to pay the cost.

Since 2001, we have spent untold trillions of dollars and lost thousands of lives fighting terrorism at home and abroad. We now have thousands of disabled veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to care for and thousands more who deserve our care but will never receive it. War is not a partisan endeavor. It is a national, family and personal endeavor. Let us negotiate peace wherever possible, and do our utmost to support the efforts of nations in crisis to solve their own national and regional issues with their own peoples and talent.

We are not being attacked, and the war hawks in Congress can barely muster the will to fund the Department of Homeland Security, let alone a war. Please, let us stop and think. No more war without a national consensus and direct war taxes to pay for it. Give negotiations a chance to succeed and our nation and the world a chance to heal.

Lynn Lichtenberg

Everett

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, April 26

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Solar panels are visible along the rooftop of the Crisp family home on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Federal, state program will put more roofs to work

More families can install rooftop solar panels thanks to the state and federal Solar for All program.

Schwab: From Kremlin to courtroom, an odor of authoritarianism

Something smells of desperation among Putin, anti-Ukraine-aid Republicans and Trump’s complaints.

Providence hospitals’ problems show need for change

I was very fortunate to start my medical career in Everett in… Continue reading

Columnist should say how Biden would be better than Trump

I am a fairly new subscriber and enjoy getting local news. I… Continue reading

History defies easy solutions in Ukraine, Mideast

An recent letter writer wants the U.S. to stop supplying arms to… Continue reading

Comment: We can build consensus around words that matter to all

A survey finds Americans are mostly in agreement about the ‘civic terms’ they view as important to democracy.

Comment: Raising stamp prices won’t solve USPS financial woes

The consistent increases in prices is driving customers away. There are better options for the service.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, April 25

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Roads, infrastructure won’t support Maltby townhome project

Thank you to The Herald for the article regarding the project to… Continue reading

Thank you local public servant during Public Service Week

Please join me in honoring the invaluable contributions of our nation’s public… Continue reading

Comment: Women’s health was focus of Arizona’s 1864 abortion law

Its author was likely more concerned by the poisons women took than for the abortions themselves.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.