Reaction to Mideast War

For the first time in my life I find myself doing what I always thought would be unthinkable--supporting a U.S. military action. I support it because for the first time since World War II a dangerous world leader has made military action necessary. I have struggled with my conscience and find no other alternative.

I am relieved at the reports indicating a vast, quick victory for the multinational force in the gulf. What astonishes, offends and, above all, saddens me is the arrogant, jingoistic attitude so many Americans seem to now be taking on, as if this were just a movie starring Tom Cruise where the good guys have a few laughs and “kick some butt.”

Excuse me, but I refuse to gloat over the death of any human being, whether it be an American soldier thousands of miles from home, an Iraqi baby killed by our bombs simply because he was unfortunate enough to have a megalomaniacal dictator “leading” his country, or a Kuwaiti brutalized by the invading Iraqi army.

Bulletin, folks: War is a very bad thing. Just because it may be necessary shouldn’t make us feel any better about it.

MARK S. HUMPHREYS, Hollywood