Missile defense not even fiscally conservative

James Foxcurran’s article on the National Missile Defense system [“Missile Defense a success despite Democrat efforts,” Nov. 6] was more of a straw man attack on “leftists” than an accurate dissection of the program’s criticisms.

His claim that some “have trouble grasping that missiles can be intercepted and destroyed” is a bit silly. The facts are clear: There have been a few positive interceptions, along with many failures.

The program gets flak because it costs so much money ($13 billion per year) and hasn’t proven to be very reliable, much like many other Bush administration programs. It’s a shame Republicans aren’t fiscal conservatives anymore and continue to support massive spending, record debt and the biggest bloated federal government in U.S. history.

While Foxcurran concludes the program is “priceless,” I’m not so sure given its track record, effectiveness and price tag that most taxpayers would agree.

—Dan Halligan

Circulation & Technical Services Supervisor

We hope students consider Iraq occupation protest

Last Friday, Washington Huskies Against Military Occupation in Iraq (WHAMO) brought an exhibit by Arlington Northwest to campus to call attention to the ongoing costs of the United States occupation of Iraq. A tombstone for every American soldier killed was erected across campus.

We hope that this display was a wakeup call for the UW community. We too often ignore the burden this war carries for a few Americans and all too many Iraqis.

Despite the debunking of every justification for invasion and occupation, despite the unbelievable loss of life, despite the many signs that neither the Bush administration nor the Democratic Party will end this war anytime soon, we still stand idly by as Iraq lies in ruin and our troops die.

For Joshua Farris, an Iraq War veteran and new student here at the University of Washington, the war is not a distant event. For him and the many other vets returning home from Iraq, the costs of this war are very real.

For this reason, Josh is part of a group of students who have come together to take a stand against this war. WHAMO intends on taking action to help put an end to the war. Our plans for action go far beyond this week, and further activities and events can be expected in the future. However, to survive we need your support. Together we can help bring this war to a close. The choice is up to you to make the first step.

—Nicholas Tichy

Junior, political science

— Joshua Farris

Junior, history