From the Salem, Oregon StatesmanM/i>

"Soon, George Bush will have caused as many U.S. deaths as were suffered on 9/11. Such tragic loss might be necessary in a just, defensive war -- which the Iraq war is not.

The Bush administration used 9/11 so they could attack Iraq, create a puppet state and control Middle East politics and oil. Completely misunderstanding the nature of the region, their blunders have had the exact opposite effect: made the oil supply more unstable, created more terrorists, made Shiite Iran dominant and markedly increased the danger for the U.S. and the world.

I'm proud of our brave troops, doing a magnificent job under extremely difficult circumstances. However, this lieutenant colonel, USMC (retired) bitterly resents the 23,000 casualties, taken by my comrades-in-arms because of Bush's unnecessary rush to war.

The president preaches democracy to others but constantly curtails it with illegal king-like powers, undermining the constitution with warrantless searches, due-process restrictions, approving torture and rendition, destroying habeas corpus, etc.

How much more can real patriots take? Impeach the president. Vote out the congressional members who support war or freedom restrictions. Defend the Constitution. Save our checks and balances. Remember, one more Bush-nominated Supreme Court Justice and our democratic republic is lost.

-- Josh Reese, Salem"

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"How many more need to die before Bush is satisfied?

October 30, 2006

Mr. Bush, as president, is directly or indirectly responsible for thousands of deaths in Iraq, many of them U.S. soldiers. History will probably record him as being the worst president in the country's history.

How many more people will need to die before his pride and arrogance are satisfied?

-- Charles Faulk, Salem"


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