Open Forum

The Bush administration appears desperate to destroy the arms inspection process, so eager it is for a war so they can get on with their program of redesigning the Middle East to suit their energy policy. The fact that all this is illegal, immoral, and outrageous to the world doesn't bother them one whit. Poll after poll shows Americans do not want war without UN support. For inspections to work, the US must:

-- Stop smearing the inspectors.

-- Stop pretending that this is about weapons of mass destruction and that if Iraq has them it's a justification for war (North Korea has them already, too, along with a host of other countries)

-- Stop military operations and provocative overflights against Iraq.

-- Stop claiming that the U.S., not the U.N., has a right to determine what's a violation.

-- Recognize that the U.S. does not have the right to decide who will govern Iraq.

-- Stop bribing other countries by promising a share in the spoils of war.

-- Provide full disclosure to Congress and the American people of all offers made to other countries regarding oil rights, construction contracts, defense commitments, debt reduction, immigration policy changes, and any other valuable considerations offered in exchange for war support.

The administration's arrogance and unilateralism is provoking terrorism and destroying hopes for peace and security for Americans for decades to come. Please join BACP and moveon.org in calling for diplomatic solutions to conflicts and investment in people rather than military hegemony over the whole world. Power corrupts. Human rights and civilian lives matter, whether American, Afghan, or Iraqi.

Kristen Blann

Merrifield

371 construction

I see where MnDOT is contemplating bypassing Pequot, Jenkins and Pine River when they construct a four-lane. This is the way all highways should be built. When the government decided to build the freeway system it was decreed that the purpose of highways is to facilitate the rapid, safe and economical movement of the most traffic possible. That no highway should be built within the limits of any city. That there should be well marked and safe off and on ramps so all travelers could visit any city or town adjacent to that highway and if you didn't want to visit your progress, or safety, would not be affected.

Now it seems that the main purpose of highways is to insure all travelers go through all towns. The in town traffic and traffic lights causes unneeded safety hazards and fuel consumption that could have been averted by the proper placement and construction of the road in the first place. I sight Little Falls as the good, Motley as the bad and Baxter, with no clover leaf for the interchange of 210 and 371 and the traffic lights to insure that potential customers stop, as the ugly.

We had the pleasure of driving on a properly constructed, and placed, highway while driving east from Sault Ste. Marie on highway no.17 across Canada. Very few businesses close to the road, just clear, unobstructed highway. What a joy. Thank you.

Clyde DeBolt

Backus