U.S. response could ignite regional war

U.S. response could ignite regional war

As heinous as the chemical attack on the Syrian people may have been, the United States must seriously consider all possible consequences of even a limited military action against Syria.

The estimated 400 to 1,400 deaths related to the chemical attacks on Syrian civilians would pale in comparison to the possible number of deaths that could occur if a regional war began as a result of U.S. military intervention.

Certainly if Israel were to be attacked, the U.S as an Israeli ally would be obliged to come to its defense. Thus, an escalation in warfare would begin.

This escalation would cause the world community to point its finger at the U.S. for taking unilateral action against Syria.

Since there has been no direct action against the U.S., it seems the wiser choice for the U.S. would be to do all possible to come to a diplomatic solution before taking military action.

I would caution leaders of both political parties to forget about the “red line” statement and work toward a diplomatic solution to the Syrian problem rather than chance starting a regional war in the Mideast.

DICK ROBERS
ROANOKE

VDOT should address dangerous intersection

I often wonder when, if ever, the Virginia Department of Transportation will take a closer look at the situation with the traffic light on U.S. 460 and Laymantown Road.

I have written to them, and they have assured me that once drivers become familiar with the traffic pattern, the wrecks will stop.

There are far too many, and it is a very dangerous situation.

The speed limit needs to be lowered and the warning signs and flashing lights need to be positioned farther from the light, giving the traffic time to slow.

NORMA DOOLEY
TROUTVILLE

Sometimes the bad outweighs the good

I found myself ambivalent after reading “Obama gives question of Syria to Congress,” on the Sept. 1 front page.

On the one hand, I’m struck by the horrible pictures of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s purported victims, especially children, dead or dying, gasping for breath.

On the other hand, children won’t lead Syria if Assad is toppled, and I would hate to end up supporting Islamic extremists who cut off heads and limbs, stone women, bomb innocent civilians and commit other atrocities in the name of their religion.

I feel the same way about Oprah Winfrey’s new movie, “The Butler.” On the one hand, the buzz is good, and I love Forest Whitaker.

On the other hand, Vietnam-era traitor Jane Fonda has a role in the film, playing Nancy Reagan, of all crazy things, and I don’t want to support her in any way, given how she disrespected and mistreated our troops during the war.

Too many American dollars, lives and limbs have been lost in Muslim vs. Muslim conflicts over the past two decades, and I’ve contacted my senators and congressman today to ask them to vote no on intervention in Syria.

I’ve also decided to skip the movie.

TREVOR ROE
FERRUM

No friends, only enemies in Syria

I listened to President Obama assuring us all that any strike he — er, we — make in Syria will be “limited” and that there will be no boots on the ground. That it will be a lesson to Bashar al-Assad that chemical weapons will not be tolerated.

Obama also made sure we all knew that nothing will occur until Congress gets back next week to vote on his red lines.

Both factions fighting over there are our enemy. One would ask, which enemy shall we back?

Another might ask, if we do make some sort of limited strike and Assad doesn’t just lie there and take it, will there need to be another line drawn and Congress called on yet again to sign off on it?

What then, a purple line? Perhaps a pretty pink one.

It certainly can’t be another red line. That red one isn’t scaring anyone, at least not in Syria.

MARY DAVIS
VINTON

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