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Americans can’t sit still in face of terror 

Editor: 

In your (10/8) story “Bombing strikes home” you quoted Mecca Hassas as saying “Just imagine sitting in front of the TV and seeing your country bombed.” 

While I hate to be the one to have to point out the obvious – just what is it that she thinks went on in this country on Sept. 11, 2001?  

I woke up and watched on live television as terrorists, previously harbored in her home country, crashed hijacked jet-liners into the twin towers targeting approximately 50,000 civilians and killing approximately 6,000 in an act of pure hatred.  

I can appreciate her, and the other anti-war marchers’ distaste for war and the bombing in Afghanistan. I hate the idea that it’s being done. Still – I don’t think that America should have to sit still and not seek justice on behalf of the people who lost their lives that Tuesday morning. It is the government’s job to ensure the safety of its citizens, and if that means that a terrorist organization in Afghanistan has to be dismantled this way then in my estimation, it has to be done. I pray it will be done with minimal loss of human life.  

Y. Marchante  

Albany 

Youth need a voice 

Editor, 

The anti-war protest that took place on Oct. 8 in front of Sproul Plaza was a perfect example of how youth in America are not being heard. Many individuals, mostly UC Berkeley students, gathered around Sproul Plaza in a sense of unity to stand up against the government as the president sent in troops to bomb Afghanistan. The community of Berkeley does not agree with the government’s method of dealing with the September 11 event and I, as a representative of the youth population, certainly do not agree with the booming attacks. 

As I took a look around me, faces of concern, anger, and disappointment were everywhere, as the government today has stood as low as the terrorists themselves. There must be an easier way for us to voice our opinions and stand up for our rights other then presenting ourselves once again as the stereotypical youthful radicals. There are many organizations within and around the notorious UC Berkeley campus that would certainly help the students and youth today to voice their thoughts and concerns. 

One of which is called Youth Vote as it is the largest California based youth coalition ever created and are spread out across the nation as well. The purpose of the California Youth Vote coalition is to bring in more political awareness to students and politicians; in essence creating a communication bridge between the two diverse groups of individuals. Youth Vote is working extremely hard to make the voices of youth stand out and presenting debates and Q&A sessions with our senators and governor. As a member of this exceptionally well organized assembly, I can say that I am proud of what the organization has done for us UC Berkeley students.  

Joe Yang 

Berkeley 

Bombing better than sanctions 

Editor: 

In 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, and a coalition of western nations put together a war to eject them and restore peace in the region. The first part of the war went quickly, with fewer deaths than predicted on both sides. A large part of the public didn’t support an invasion of Iraq, however, and the coalition shied away from removing the Iraqi government from power. Unfortunately, evidence uncovered by the United Nations proved that Iraq had chemical weapons, and that their project to create nuclear weapons was close to success. This was a promise of future disaster that could not be ignored. Faced with an intransigent Iraqi government, and with little support for additional military action, economic sanctions were put in place to prevent an Iraqi military buildup. These have only been partially effective, and have resulted in hardship and death for the civilian population. 

Can we learn from this history? Would the people of Iraq have been better off if the military action had continued and their government replaced? Military action in Afghanistan by a western coalition has started, with the goal of removing terrorist organizations. Demonstrations in Berkeley and elsewhere have also started, with the goal of stopping the war. Have we really thought that through? 

The war is certain to cause civilian death and injury. But, if it stops, what is the alternative? It is clear that the west cannot go back to ignoring the risk of terrorism, and that something will be done. Without military action and the replacement of the Taliban government, what is the alternative? Economic sanctions would be ruinous; without the hundreds of millions of dollars of aid from the United States and other countries, a huge number of Afghani people would starve.  

But the west clearly can’t continue that aid while the terrorists and supporting government remains.So progressives must face hard questions: What will happen if we stop the war? Are we willing to be responsible for the costs? Or would a western military victory actually be a good thing? 

Bob Jacobsen 

Berkeley