Ask any combat veteran if war seemed noble when one of their comrades was killed or when a family was bombed out of existence. A valid war? Intelligence? Bush ignored intelligence and went to war. If you believe our “leaders” you are not paying attention.

Most Americans have a na•ve view of war that is understandable when our corporate media and politicians choose what the public hears. Do you remember the daily pictures of our soldiers in body bags from Vietnam? Have you seen that from Iraq?

A soldier must believe that his/her purpose serves a noble cause. They follow a long legacy of warriors who paid dearly to create and keep America free. What is frightening is that most Americans are asleep and blind to the downward spiral of our country as we fall from democracy, slip into fear and wave our flag.

I am hopeful that our Constitution will not be destroyed in this era of fear-mongers, but it will require a united America, in a very determined and noble effort, to regain the freedoms that we are losing.

Monte J. Hanks

Salt Lake City