LETTERS NASSAU AND SUFFOLK Edition

It's good to see Americans protest this war that President George W. Bush so desperately wants. Will we suddenly be safe if Saddam Hussein is no longer in control of Iraq? When the World Trade Center was attacked, it was blamed on Osama bin Laden, not Hussein. Our biggest threat right now is al...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inNewsday
Main Authors Herzman, Andrew, Brennan, John J, Lucille DeCanio Koch, Liotti, Thomas F, Lessing, Barney
Format Newspaper Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Long Island, N.Y Newsday LLC 03.03.2003
EditionCombined editions
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:It's good to see Americans protest this war that President George W. Bush so desperately wants. Will we suddenly be safe if Saddam Hussein is no longer in control of Iraq? When the World Trade Center was attacked, it was blamed on Osama bin Laden, not Hussein. Our biggest threat right now is al-Qaida sleeper cells that are controlled by bin Laden. I'm glad the protesters can see what the real danger is. But it seems Bush won't listen to the protesters, or the UN, or anyone else who speaks reason. Now, half of Europe, including France, is our enemy because they refuse to support Bush and his war. Will it soon be the United States against the entire world? Had the program focused more closely on its announced theme - why? - viewers would have learned that my client, Ryan Wagner, is not a racist, was 19 years old at the time of the incident and is redeemable. Wagner admitted to his wrongdoing and apologized for it. The community was not ready to forgive him; instead it was vengeful. The reaction of the community, the court and the prosecution when faced with the options of saving Ryan with more counseling and rehabilitation, opted for hysteria and revenge instead. That is a "hate crime" in itself, which we will endeavor to address in what we hope will be a successful appeal.