Letter to the Editor: War

George Bush does not seem to grasp the concept of cause and effect.

Initially he said we were in Iraq because of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). Absent any evidence of WMD, his recent speech shifted the purpose to fighting terrorists, citing 9/11 five times. (Here, too, is an example of his faulty logic - Iraq had absolutely nothing to do with 9/11.) So, he would now have us believe we are in Iraq because there are terrorists there. He's got it completely backwards. The terrorists are streaming into Iraq because we are there!

In fact, the 9/11 attacks were orchestrated by al-Qaida as a result of US military bases in Arab countries, which radical Muslims considered to be a desecration of "holy land." This does not condone the actions of the 9/11 terrorists. It simply explains them. We should consider how we might feel if Egypt or Saudi Arabia were to build a military base in Gettysburg, Pa., or Concord, Maine. Since there are no foreign military bases on U.S. soil, we have no concept of how we might respond to that happening.

As long as the U.S. maintains troop presence in Iraq, we provide a highly visible inspiration to young, idealist, radical Muslims to join the resistance there. There is and will be an inexhaustible supply of young men and women, streaming into Iraq to fight the "Infidels".

President Bush, it's time to leave. Now! You are fighting a fire with gasoline.

PETER B. PITSKER

Gardnerville