Posted October 16, 2002

I'm, by history, a leftist. Interesting, no? I find myself reading and donating to Antiwar.com. Of course, I am aware of libertarian thinking and have long since learned that I can deal with libertarianism far more easily than I can with general American conservatism -- a mindset that wants to enforce it's social views on everyone.

The point, however, is this. I read your site. It covers issues the way I'd do it. I find information and viewpoints I'd not encounter elsewhere. So, if you can handle linking hands with someone who's a bit to the left -- but still resolutely antiwar -- I want to express my admiration for what you are doing. God, it needs doing more now than ever. Bully Boy America is posturing to stride across the globe, and we need intelligent, active folks like you standing by to keep us informed. And, yes, I will contribute again (OK, this one was only $50, but what the hell).

~ Francis F.

Ritter in Cigar Aficionado

A very insightful article appeared in the August 2002 issue of Cigar Aficionado (pp.100-110). It recounts the hands-on inspections of the potential Iraqi buildup of biological and nuclear weapons by former arms inspector, Scott Ritter. I certainly attribute more legitimacy to a first person accounting of Iraq's real capabilities rather than spin based on political or fear-mongering motives.

~ Patrick S. Carpenter

Replace the Tramplers

It is time for the Left and Right unite. The rush to war and the trampling of the constitution give us a common enemy. This Bush administration has and is violating principles we both hold sacred. Whatever our differences in other areas, on this we can unite. We both need to speak out at every chance. We both need to replace members of both parties who are willing to ignore the trampling of our constitutional rights. Replace them with members of either party who are not willing to sacrifice for the sake of political expediency and hysteria....

~ Michael D.

League of Nations

In his recent speeches President Bush compares the League of Nations failure and the possible failure of the United Nations. When I was growing up in Canada we knew that the United States never joined the League of Nations, nor ratified the antiwar gas treaty. Since my father had died of World War I poison gas, I was very much aware of that fact.

Checking the facts -- although Woodrow Wilson was a strong supporter of the League of Nations, (Republican) Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, through numerous amendments, succeeded in defeated the treaty on March 19, 1920, with a vote of 49-35.

Why doesn't the media look into these erroneous statements? -- few people even know of the League of Nations.

~ E. McCullough, Tollhouse, California

World Government

I just discovered your site, am very impressed. I intend to be a frequent visitor. I agree with the statements on your site regarding the New World Order, and I hope to do something (not involving violence) to stop it. I believe in the ideal of world government, but not under current conditions.

Such a government at present would be a fulfillment of Orwell's nightmare. Any good world government would be non-intrusive in the affairs of member states, whose sovereignty would be respected at all costs. In my view it would be more like a forum for the discussion of concerted action, and would be purely voluntary. Regrettably, though the United States could and should play an important role in the formation of a good world government, it appears bent on hampering the worthwhile efforts of the U.N., and seems intent on calling the tune to which the UN must dance. As long as nations, especially the United States, are bent on power plays and domination at the expense of unanimity and concerted effort, world government is futile and dangerous.

~ James M. Buels, El Paso, Texas

The Palestine Debate

While I appreciate to in depth coverage on the invasion and subsequent "regime change" in Iraq, I am finding myself wondering what happened to the Palestinian debate.

Is that problem resolved? Is it not important anymore? Does our collective memory only go so far back as a couple of months? Does anybody care about the impending invasion of Gaza? Does anybody care that three Palestinian children were killed today?

~ Timothy Pakes

Bizarre Behavior

...If you take a good look at the state of affairs, beginning with the second term of Clinton's presidency, you can't help but notice how many profoundly huge changes have taken place, particularly in the viciousness of politics.

If the invasion of Iraq takes place, which seems most likely, and our troops get tied up in a widespread conflict, I see the possibility that the U.S. constitution may be suspended, along with the presidential elections in '04.

If you or anyone else thinks this is a far-flung idea, just look around and see what has been going on. We may very well be entering a time of political assassinations (foreign and domestic), severe economic troubles, and a global war. I hate to sound alarmist or "nutty," but in my 48 years, I've never seen such bizarre behavior by our electorate, although the Vietnam war days came close.

~ R. O'Connor

Editor's note:

Backtalk editor Sam Koritz is profiled in the Real World section of October's Smart Money magazine (print version only, not available online).