I was pleased to read the Rev. Seavey’s Op-Ed in the Sept. 18 Sun Journal. We need voices of reason and compassion in these times of turmoil.

I do take issue with Klaus Kuck’s letter on the same page, which called the Vietnam War a “sideshow” in the Cold War.

Anytime anyone puts his or her life on the line as a soldier, it is not a sideshow. It is the soldier’s calling to be available to defend his or her country. It is my calling to see that they don’t have to do it for ignoble reasons. I will continue to defend my right to criticize the current political leadership in the hope that my country will again be respected in the world community for its moral, ethical and compassionate stand for right, not might.

I had hoped our leadership would take the opportunity to disengage from Iraq in order to take care of victims in the South. The National Guard, so badly needed there, was off tending to other folks’ business. Resources needed are being funneled elsewhere.

I would gladly pay more taxes to help our people if I could be sure it would go to the people and not wind up in some corporate gain column.

I support democracy, but we shed American blood for our freedom in 1776. If others want it bad enough, they will shed theirs, also. Could it be they don’t want it as much as we want it for them?

Marilyn Burgess, Leeds