This is in response to Rich Lowry’s column on the Republican convention that ran in the Sun Journal Sept. 7, titled “Let Americans stand tall and proud.”

Should we Americans stand tall and proud?

Looking back on this preemptive war, with its saturation bombing (“shock and awe”) of Baghdad while the “girlie-men” behind it were safely ensconced in their seats of power far away in America, what actually resulted? A world less safe. Terrorist attacks have increased.

In our war on terror, are we on the path of perpetual battles and endless wars? What if it had been a contained police action? Would our young people still be in harm’s way?

Should we Americans stand tall and proud?

Look at the terrible cost in human lives both Iraqis and our American soldiers. Americans destroyed the Iraqis’ basic necessities: clean water, sewage treatment, electricity. Look at the terrible cost of restoring Iraq’s infrastructure, without competitive bidding, with American tax dollars.

Sally S. Tessicini, Bryant Pond