Americans are anaesthetized by war on TV

To the editor:

Television and computers never will be reality. To many people, war is an innocuous spectacle. They believe America should have zero casualties in a war that is fought from a distance with jets and offshore artillery. This thinking is a detriment to our national security, our future and the well-being of our children.

Missiles may destroy factories, bridges, roads, airfields and bases, but they don't destroy important people and their ill intentions toward the United States. War is about killing people and their leaders, not about good television and anaesthetized battle from a distance. It's not about smart bombs that look cool when they're about to hit a factory. It's not about destruction. It's not about economic sanctions. It's about killing.

Someday something truly catastrophic will occur, like nuclear assault from radicals in the Middle East like Osama bin Laden -- all made possible by our over-dependence on foreign oil. That day will not result in the mere death of thousands and a rethinking of how Americans live their pampered daily lives. It will be the absolute end of civilization. When this occurs, terrorists will win.

TOM EDWARDS

Cape Girardeau