Letters to the Editor

Guinea Pigs With Purpose

As a former member of the U.S. Navy and a current veteran and Seattle resident, I was quite interested in Rick Anderson's "The Home Affront" [July 14]. Several good points were made, bringing light to many issues the government doesn't tell recruits when they raise their right hand and swear in under military oath. I won't deny that soldiers are often used as the government's guinea pigs. During my time aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, I received the smallpox vaccination as well as two anthrax shots. Anderson was right on when he said that soldiers refusing the vaccination would be discharged; however, he failed to state why. As it was explained to me and my fellow sailors, some individuals were unable to receive the vaccinations due to medical reasons. Sailors who simply didn't want to get the shot(s) would be risking the lives of those who had medical waivers; if they went down, they would be taking down innocent lives with them.

Also, the article ends on a rather sour note, stating that "more soldiers have died from the vaccines than from . . . weapons of mass destruction." Isn't this the way it would be preferred? With all vaccinations there is a risk. Say the government stops issuing the vaccinations, and 100 lives are saved. People rejoice. And then say some power-hungry terrorist drops a couple of missiles laden with chemical agents that wipe out half our troops. People will then ask why the government didn't vaccinate our soldiers. The article seemed to focus more on what is happening than on what could happen, which is the entire point behind the vaccinations. Prevent the damage before it occurs.

Kristina Zahnter
Seattle

Gulf Vet Validation

I was so pleased to find Rick Anderson's book excerpt in the Weekly ["The Home Affront," July 14]. I work with Steve Robinson and the National Gulf War Resource Center. Anderson's accounts of Desert Storm veterans and their fight for health care and validation ring very true. Many Gulf veterans are becoming too ill to work and have no idea what they should do or where to turn for information.

NGWRC's Self-Help Guide is available for download at www.ngwrc.org. For a hard copy or to request our Gulf War Veteran Resource Guide, e-mail jmock@ngwrc.org or call 425-488-0438 or 800-882-1316, ext. 162.

Julie Mock
Vice President, National Gulf War Resource Center

In Knute Berger's "What If Bush 'Wins'?" [Mossback, July 14], he asks what we would do in the event of a Bush triumph. The best answer may be, "What can we do?" In these past four years, we have voiced our opinions over so many of his issues: from Enron to the environment to Iraq to impeachment. His response was something along the lines of, "Sometimes you have to go against what the people say, in order to make things right for our future." The media have more or less ignored us. We are helpless; no one will listen. What else could be possible in these next four years, except to live in misery and fear until it's over?

Rachel Hooton
Seattle

Give 'em Hell!

In the event of another illegitimate takeover, my family and I will not sit silently by as we did in 2000 [Mossback, "What If Bush 'Wins'?" July 14]. We are not the militia types, far from it. But we do have something in common with our conservative counterparts. We are gun-toting, NRA–supporting liberals. We are hoping for the best but prepared for the worst. What is needed in the aftermath of a Bush coup d'état is leadership. That is what was needed in the aftermath of the 2000 election. We will not move to another country! This is our country! These are our streets! We will form coalitions of the willing. Gay, straight, black, white . . . we will move beyond the street protests. We will make the next four years of a Bush presidency hell! We will find out where they live. We will protest outside their houses. We will treat them like O.J. Simpson, a pariah. They will not be treated with respect, they are criminals! National leaders will go on network television and espouse the illegitimacy of the next Bush presidency. Perhaps they'll solicit the help of France or Germany to take back our democracy, à la Lafayette. A nationwide acti­vist network with strong leadership and the outrage of the American people will be all that is necessary to expose these criminals.

Anthony Vicari
Freeland

Better off With Bush

I may be in the minority in Western Washing­ton where I live, but luckily I grew up in Eastern Washington and have the values of the conservatives. If Bush wins I will celebrate [Mossback, "What If Bush 'Wins'?" July 14]. So maybe he isn't perfect, no one is, but at least we have a leader who says what he believes, sticks to his beliefs, and follows through. He isn't wishy-washy or known for doublespeak; he just does what he thinks is best. I am much better off now than I was when President Bush took office, and I have no doubt four more years will be beneficial for me and everyone I know.