Desert Storm left uranium legacy of pain, suffering

To the editor:

I wonder if Americans really know what kind of legacy we left behind us after Desert Storm. Do people realize that America used shells made of uranium that left behind a radioactive battlefield? The incidence of leukemia and cancer in the children of Iraq has gone up six to 12 times in the past 10 years. The occurrence of birth defects has also risen sharply -- babies born without brains or with missing organs, limbs, eyes and noses. All this because of uranium left behind by our bombs.

Furthermore, because of U.S. sanctions, no medicine is available to cure or relieve the pain of those suffering children.

And now, if President Bush and his cohorts have their way, we are going to swoop into Iraq, bomb more children, older adults and the men and women caring for them. Those we dont kill will get even higher doses of uranium in their food, water and air leading to more pain, suffering and disease. Shame on us for allowing this to happen.

I have heard no argument or evidence in favor of another war in Iraq that justifies this kind of irresponsible and inhumane behavior on our part.

This is not about Hussein. He poses no more of a threat than he did five years ago. We are mutilating children to protect our interests in Iraq. Does that mean oil? Are we willing to mutilate and torture thousands of children, born and unborn, for oil? I say no.

ELLEN DILLON

Cape Girardeau