Iraq War

The interests of the United States and its closest ally, Israel, demand that Saddam Hussein be removed from Iraq before he develops nuclear weapons and his designs become unstoppable. Yet, a policy halfheartedly seeking to democratize the Arab world has no bearing on this imperative. Few systems of government are less natural or appropriate for that region than Western democracy.

George W. Bush is a geopolitical incompetent. He has allowed a clique of hawks to induce him to take a position on invading Iraq from which he cannot extract himself, one which will have nothing but negative consequences for the United States--and the rest of the world. He will find himself badly hurt politically, perhaps fatally. And he will rapidly diminish the already declining power of the United States in the world. A war against Iraq will destroy many lives immediately, both Iraqi and American, because it seems clear that high-altitude, surgical-strike air attacks will not suffice in military terms.

About 100 demonstrators protesting the Iraq war marched past the Capitol carrying mock coffins and lay down in front of doorways to a House office building, where 26 were arrested. Many covered themselves with sheets designed to make them resemble dead bodies. The protest was organized by Declaration of Peace, a coalition of about 500 groups that has set up war protests around the country.

Amid drumbeats and trilling whistles, thousands of activists from around the world showed their opposition to globalization and the Iraq war at the opening of the World Social Forum backed by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. About 80,000 people signed up to attend the six-day forum, said organizers, who emphasized that the event was not intended as a rally for Chavez, although it received funding from his government.

Former President Carter, speaking at a Baptist World Alliance conference in Birmingham, England, criticized the detention of terrorism suspects at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and called the U.S.-led war in Iraq "unnecessary and unjust." "I think what's going on in Guantanamo Bay and other places is a disgrace to the U.S.A.," he said. Hundreds of detainees have been held indefinitely at Guantanamo, without charge or access to lawyers.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed suit in Philadelphia on behalf of five Iraq war protesters arrested during a campaign stop by President Bush when they simulated the infamous human pyramid at Abu Ghraib prison, wearing only thongs. The ACLU alleged Pennsylvania police and federal agents violated the men's constitutional right to free speech when they were arrested on charges of disorderly conduct during Bush's campaign stop last summer in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

A Republican former state lawmaker claimed a seat in Congress on Tuesday by narrowly defeating an Iraq war veteran who drew national attention to the race with his military service and a series of harsh attacks on President Bush. With all precincts reporting, Jean Schmidt had 57,974 votes, compared with Democrat Paul Hackett's 54,401 votes. Schmidt, 53, will replace Republican Rob Portman, who stepped down this year after being named U.S. trade representative by Bush.

A soldier who fled to Canada rather than redeploy to Iraq surrendered at Ft. Knox after asking for leniency. Spc. Darrell Anderson, 24, said he deserted the Army last year because he could no longer fight in what he believes is an illegal war. "I feel that by resisting I made up for the things I did in Iraq," Anderson said during a news briefing shortly before he turned himself in. "I feel I made up for the sins I committed in this war."

Only 28% of the public knows that nearly 4,000 Americans have died in the Iraq war, and attention to the conflict has gradually diminished, a survey by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center found. In the poll released Wednesday, around a third said about 3,000 U.S. troops have died and about one in 10 said 2,000. On the other hand, about a quarter put the figure close to 5,000. The actual number Wednesday was 3,987, according to the independent website icasualties.org.

Re "Soldier Convicted of Desertion," May 22: I think Staff Sgt. Camilo Mejia is a hero. He has already "faced the music" in Iraq. The Army does not hand out such promotions and assignments willy-nilly. Yes, I believe Mejia's action was based on the love he has for our country and humanity worldwide. His bravery in doing so is uncompromised. We should be honoring this man for having the courage and conviction to take a stand. He is representing all of us who do not have the opportunity and/or guts to do so. Vilify this man?