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The Times Argus, January 31, 2003, published as 'Empty threats are illegal'

War threats are illegal

By James Brooks

In your editorial, "Is Talk of War Only a Clever Strategy?", you wonder whether Bush's repeated threats of war on Iraq are just a "clever tactic" that may prevent "real" war.

Repeatedly threatening war against another nation is a crime under the Fourth Geneva Convention. Following World War II, the nations remembered how it had all started, with Hitler's "phony war" of bogus allegations and threats to invade other countries.

The Bush administration has been threatening war against Iraq for a year now, which more than qualifies it for indictment. It doesn't matter whether Americans approve of this outright bullying or not - it's against the law, and for good reason.

You can dream with Paul Fussell that Bush is only bluffing, but it will only increase your chances of waking up in a nightmare.

Somehow removing George Bush from the equation, you say that only Saddam Hussein can prevent war. He's got to come clean. This is what the bully usually says, isn't it, when he's holding a gun (in your case, the incomprehensible power of the US military) to his victim's head? "It's your decision, chump, I got nothin' to do with it. You wanna live? 'Sup to you."

The real question, 'Why start a war over a weapons inventory disagreement?', is never asked, and never answered.

"Why were so many people killed, Daddy?"

"They were not in total compliance on all points of the inspections process, dear. Now run and play. And no more questions about oil, OK?"

Your editorial notes the UN's prediction that up to 500,000 Iraqis may suffer traumatic injury in this war. But it ends musing whether war may "now" be the only "practical" thing to do. After all, the gun is already loaded and cocked.

And I go away feeling shame for us all, for these callous and self-serving justifications for a suicidal and unjust war.

James Brooks
Worcester, VT