Americans are allowed to object

To the editor:

On Sept. 15, you printed a column by David Limbaugh. In particular, the paper highlighted these words: "Pacifism in the face of war is not only irresponsible, it is immoral."

Excuse me, but when did David Limbaugh come down from Mount Sinai? I always learned that it was only in totalitarian, godless countries that dissenting opinions were viciously attacked and not tolerated.

I am looking at an article in a book, "The Reader's Companion to American History," Eric Foner and John A. Garraty (eds.) 1991, on conscientious objection. Perhaps Mr. Limbaugh was unaware that the history of pacifism and opposition to war predates the founding of our country. Beginning before the American Revolution, "peace" churches like the Quakers, the Brethren and the Mennonites set down roots here to be able to practice their beliefs, which included pacifism.

From the Revolutionary War to the Vietnam War, there have always been people whose faith does not believe in war as a means of settling matters and have exercised their faith. Many of them have died in those wars, serving as corpsmen and the like while staying true to their beliefs.

There are many others of different faiths who have rejected military service because of their religious beliefs. Whether or not you or I happen to agree with them is not the issue. This country was founded on the principle that we would be a place where people could have the freedom to practice their religion without fear of reprisal.

Also dear to the Founders was the idea that different ideas could be expressed without worrying about the king's soldiers coming in the middle of the night to take you off to jail.

I happen to agree with President Bush's ideas to approach this problem of terrorism. But I also agree with him that no one should be attacked because of ethnic background or beliefs.

Mr. Limbaugh should rethink his statements calling pacifism immoral, because those are the kind of overreaching and blind statements that prompt hurtful actions. I happen to believe that our country has always been a place where I may disagree strongly with what you believe, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.MICHAEL H. MAGUIRE

Cape Girardeau

War will make America stronger

To the editor:

We're at war. We've been at war. From time to time, we've wondered if we were. Now we know with shocking certainty. To assure ourselves, we've promptly made an open-ended commitment to God and country. We know that life will be different. We don't care how. We are in this for the long haul. This will probably not be like World War II -- opening armament plants, drafting persons for military service, rationing necessities, etc., and all of those things we identify with that time and that great generation. This is not a war of nations assembling against nations. Rather, it is a war of intrigue and duplicity in which we are all players.

Sen. Trent Lott announced that there is no opposition party. Hence, there can be no more conservative and liberal strategies. There can only be the most meaningful and expedient course of action. We will be compelled to abandon the common cynical sentiment that government can't do anything well. Getting government off our backs will be a discarded anachronism.

If we determine it, we will gain tenacity, ingenuity, patience and restraint, along with many other special qualities.GIL DEGENHARDT

Cape Girardeau