Opinion - Letters to the Editor

POSTED: Tuesday, Dec. 02, 2008

Says terrorist acts are crimes, not war

Like our own 9/11 terror attack, I believe the recent Mumbai, India, tragedy was a crime not a war.

India and Pakistan are both nuclear powers and a war between them could bring worldwide destruction. Criminal investigation and prosecution, on the other hand, can bring an understanding of the background and motives of the participants that might permit governments to change ineffective policies and diminish the possibility of further attacks.

Our War on Terror has not been very successful. The death toll on all sides steadily climbs. Osama bin Laden is still at large. Many Iraqis have left their country. The world's oil supply has not been stabilized.

I believe the American military is demoralized.

Our military reaction to a criminal conspiracy is like dropping bombs on sub-prime lenders who caused so much suffering in recent days.

Investigation and prosecution is the proper response to injustice and crime

Dick Smith

Bellingham