I am writing in response to the not one, but two negative opinions expressed on U.S. involvement in the Middle East. People, open your eyes! This is not simply about oil. -Chris Wichser

Mr. Wichser, if you believe in this Gulf Crisis cause so much, why are you not over there? 

This guy named Hitler was allowed to build up his military to incredible heights. His growing strength went unchecked for more than a decade...Are you noting any parallel between [Saddam] Hussein and this guy named Hitler? -Chris Wichser

Think back to WWII with another maniac by the name of Hitler, how many countries did he promise not to invade? Why not learn from past mistakes and cut Hussein off before he can cause many more problems. -Kelly Ginkel

The popular analogy between WWII and this current Gulf Crisis just [doesn't] play in my book. I see through the popular media programming set forth by our warmonger President.

If the U.S. does not move to stop Hussein, who then? You point to the Germans and the Japanese as the most obvious...These two countries are doing what they can, donating hundreds of millions of dollars to support our effort. -Chris Wichser

Oh by the way, Germany and Japan have yet to donate one cent to the United States.

With the possible exception of Israel, there is no one in the Arab world with the power to stop Iraqi forces. Thus, the necessity of a U.S. presence. -Chris Wichser

I believe our presence in the Gulf is both necessary and long term, but unilateral action would be the greatest mistake since the Civil War...This was our bloodiest war ever, and could have been avoided through negotiations and talks.

...how can you say our presence in Saudi Arabia isn't worth it? Sure we are there for our own interests but Kuwait, I thought, was supposed to be a U.S. ally. -Kelly Ginkel

Kelly Ginkel, was Kuwait our ally when the oil embargo of the 70's hit? I don't think so. America's foreign policy interests are very deep in this region, but they are not tied into the existence of Kuwait.

Iraq means business and we have to, as well. We need to be willing to kill and die. -Kelly Ginkel

Only multinational force standing up against aggressive Iraqi actions can avoid an unthinkable fate. Are you willing to destroy a civilization that dates back as far as 3000 B.C.[?] Archaeologist[s] agree that Iraq was a cradle of civilization.

Let's put this on a more personal level. If I was kidnapped - you may not be particularly fond of me, but would you not help me? And if this kidnapper threatened other friends besides me would you run away and refuse aid? -Kelly Ginkel

Kelly, you compare Kuwait to a kidnapped neighbor. Did you think about writing an article asking, "What about the six Americans being tortured in Lebanon?" What about those American hostages? Don't you think they are more important than getting Kuwait back from Iraq?

If allowed to continue, the cost to the world would be much greater than simply oil. -Chris Wichser

War is the ultimate last step in solving a political dispute, but our government has not used all the channels to avoid and settle this dispute.