Suicidal to use nuclear weapons

7/2/2004

Recently, we've heard some Americans suggesting that our "Christian" nation use nuclear weapons in Iraq. These individuals are either sadistic and suicidal or dangerously ignorant about the extent of destruction from nuclear weapons. The devastation is so extreme that no nation on earth has ever used them since those regrettable events in Nagasaki and Hiroshima more than half a century ago.

Rather than save the people of Iraq, we would be needlessly murdering hundreds of thousands of women, children, and the elderly, and all life within miles of detonation sites.

Moreover, intentional use of nuclear weapons would further inflame the world community, bringing about the very real possibility of retaliation from the other nuclear powers. These nations, with nuclear missiles that can annihilate the United States in minutes, have joined most of the world in vehement opposition to our unprovoked attack on the small nation of Iraq.

A major nuclear exchange would likely destroy most, if not all, human life on this planet. On the off chance that humanity survived, the United States would have been transformed into a powerless wasteland, forever burned into history as the initiator of nuclear holocaust.

Careless talk regarding the use of these greatest "weapons of mass destruction" known to man not only makes our nation appear hypocritical and ignorant, but further suggests we choose a very evil path of genocide, while waving our flag, claiming to stand for things like liberty and justice for all.

DAVID A. WARNER

Rowland Road

Thank you for the June 22 editorial pointing out the success of this year's jazz festival. We are indeed proud of our efforts. The turnout was amazing and the music was great.

We think we have put together the signature cultural event the mayor envisioned when we joined forces to take the Art Tatum Jazz Heritage Festival to new levels. And this is just the beginning. As you mentioned, Daimler-Chrysler is already committed to next year's festival, which we are already planning.

But we shouldn't leave this year's event without recognizing those who made it the success it was.

As usual, officers of the Toledo Police Division provided friendly security, often going beyond the job description to help in various ways. The Toledo Black Firefighters organization volunteered to serve as EMTs for the entire weekend. Our many volunteers who worked the various venues around the park were invaluable.

And there were, finally, the unsung heroes of the entire festival: Jim Sattler, executive director of the Toledo Jazz Society; Kim Buehler, festival coordinator; Anne Biel, Toledo Jazz Society staffer who does everything; John Jurack, technical director; and Rachel Richardson, stage manager. Their hours cannot be counted and our gratitude cannot be measured.

See you next year, Toledo, when we will be trying to top this year's performance.

JON D. RICHARDSON

President

Toledo Jazz Society

I have rarely seen such a similarity between George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. It appears that they had the same reason for involvement with Monica in one case and Iraq in another: because they could.

Michael Watkins

Bowling Green