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# Public is not wild about war
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/public-is-not-wild-about-war/
- Published: 2003-01-24T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T01:23:12.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: local, Santa Monica, #archive-import

This past week, Q-Line asked, “If there is enough uprising in this country and around the world concerning war with Iraq, do you think our administration will back off?”

Here are your responses: ■ “Do I think the administration will back off? No. I think the administration will go full boar because they believe it will add to the economy. They are living in the 30s. Do I think George Bush ought to be impeached? Absolutely. Do I think he will ever get re-elected? Absolutely not. I would love to believe that those of us who have marched, and those of us who have supported the stopping of this war would win. I’m not so sure it would happen.” ■ “The United States should back off if we do not intend to attack, infiltrate and occupy Iraq. War should only be fought to be won. The win is determined by the unconditional surrender of the opposing force. Not to be negotiated. These unconditional surrenders are usually preceded by a military operation known to combat veterans as scorched earth. Need I say more?” ■ “The Persian Gulf War was started by George Bush Sr. when he was in office. War? Why isn’t President George W. Bush going after Osama bin Laden like he swore he would after 9/11? Because he can’t find him. To get the public mind off the real problem, he is simply taking off where his father left off.” ■ “The wording of your question says, ‘Do you think our administration will back off?’ It’s certainly not my administration. I voted for somebody else. As far as whether or not they will back off? I doubt it unless it would interfere with the flow of oil.” ■ “I do not think the administration will back off. I hope we don’t go to war. However, we should keep any of our options open because I think a lot of funding for terrorism comes from Iraq.” ■ “No. I do not think our administration will back off. Our president is a man of his word. He is a very strong man and will not let polls, etc., change what’s in the best interest for our country. He is not wishy-washy like previous presidents who trusted North Korea’s word and allowed them to build up nuclear weapons. Other countries do not have our best interest in mind, but they do love the money we send them.” ■ “A few weeks ago, I would have said not a chance. But now it seems that support for Bush’s Iraq policy seems to be almost in free-fall. Maybe this madness can be stopped?” ■ “Nobody likes war. Absolutely nobody. We know what war does to people. But, if our government decides that that is the proper thing to do, I totally trust it. That is why this country is the greatest. That is why this country is the free. We should be leaders, not followers. We should stay that way.” ■ “Regardless of the consensus, I predict that we will be at war within the next four weeks. Iraq manufactured 30,000 shell canisters capable of carrying biological chemical agents. To date we have found 16 canisters. Fortunately, we have a president that is willing to take action to defend America now before it is too late.”

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 24, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/012403.pdf?ref=smdp.com)