Last week, Q-Line asked, “Do you think President George Bush should throw the United States into war with Iraq, or should Bush stay focused on finding the perpetrators of the Sept. 11 attacks?” Here are your responses: ■ “My answer is yes, but can he make the trains run on time?” ■ “No, I do not think that we should pursue war with Iraq. I think it is a terrible thing. I believe it should be obsolete in this generation. Nobody is the winner in this stuff. I think they should pursue with the intelligence means we have in this country to find out who the perpetrators of the Sept. 11 attacks are.” ■ “My answer is yes! If no other country wants to help, the hell with them.” ■ “Throughout history, including American history, precious things such as freedom and justice have come at a price. The sacrificial and costly price of lives by those who have been willing to take up the costs. It is easy to take this justice and freedom for granted and sit around lighting candles hoping for peace. Nevertheless, evil regimes like Hussein must be held accountable for their terrorist and homicidal acts. Preventative military action to save innocent lives is much better than waiting for a horrific catastrophe to occur.” ■ “George Bush is using Iraq as a smoke screen to draw attention away from the staggering economy. Also, he wants the oil that is there.” ■ “Because Republicans believe there is a strong reason to attack Iraq, and that such an action will help them take control of Congress in November, President Bush will no doubt continue to emphasize the war until then and beyond. I think the administration should stay focused on stabilizing Afghanistan and locating the perpetrators of 9/11. Although these are often frustrating and routine tasks that won’t make compelling headlines and guarantee Republican victory in November.” ■ “It isn’t an either or question. This is an unfair question. Language like ‘throw’ the United States into war is biased. Bush should continue doing what he did with the UN. If Iraq does not comply with the UN resolutions, we should go in there and clean them up.” ■ “No, President Bush should not throw United States into war with Iraq. That is a terrible mistake!” ■ “I think that our president knows exactly what he’s doing. He has people that have information that none of us have. This has been going on for many years with Iraq and other countries like Iraq. I think finally we have a president who is ready to face it and take care of it. All we have to do is support him 100 percent.” ■ “I think President George Bush’s war against Iraq is a war that only he can fight. I think they should arm him and send him over. As the United States, I don’t think we should be messing with Iraq. We should let the UN handle the situation and we can monitor what the UN does. That does not mean we should take over if we feel that they have failed. I think our shores are much more important than the shores of Iraq.” ■ “I oppose the war in Iraq. I’m definitely not for it and glad that Gore stood up and said something to someone in the political arena. I think most people don’t want this war at all. It’s going to create more terrorism on our home front and innocent people killed in Iraq.” ■ “I think it’s ridiculous to go to war with Iraq! I think we should find the 9/11 terrorists.” ■ “Saddam Hussein is a rich terrorist. He is one of the worst in the world. Where do you think many of the al-Qaeda are hiding? Maybe even Osama bin Laden himself. Maybe in one of his palaces? Why do you think he does not want inspectors in his palaces? He could have tunnels down there with all kinds of al-Qaeda. He needs to be dealt with reasonably quickly.” ■ “I have to say in my opinion neither one. I certainly oppose going in as a solitary aggressor. That would make the United States an international criminal. I think we should find out more about Iraq. Our intelligence institutions are woefully lacking in this area. I think Bush should concentrate on mending our serious domestic problems.” ■ “Our focus should be on al-Qaeda and the Islamic fundamentalists behind 9/11. By pushing war against Sad am Hussein, we are squandering the good will that we have had all other the world. The Iraq thing is strictly politics, particularly oil politics.” ■ “No, no, no. Bush should push the United States into a war with Iraq. Whose kids does he want to kill first?”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 27, 2002. Read the original PDF.