Free not to fight

I find it difficult to understand Sgt. Maj. Edward Wagner's comments ( "Our mission in Iraq," Letters, Aug. 2 and TribLIVE.com), seeing that many of them defy the basic principles of logic.

For example, why would a person who opposes something take an active part in its perpetuation• Wagner suggests people who oppose the Iraq offensive should "join up, leave home" and risk their lives for the rich and powerful who control our government before they have the right to speak about the war.

I work with veterans and have talked with many who fought in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. What I have learned from these men is that war only should be waged as a last resort. At what time did Iraq threaten our personal freedom?

Justifying the Iraq war in terms of "freedom" defies logic, for our freedom in the United States is not at stake and there are millions of people throughout the world living under tyrannical rule and will continue to do so long after the war in Iraq.

I will not go to the Iraqi desert because (1) I don't want to and (2) the war is unjust and I refuse to do anything that will perpetuate the unnecessary loss of life.

Sgt. Maj. Wagner, you are there because you signed up for the military, just as I did some 13 years ago. You have a contractual obligation to be there. Heroes are made by circumstance, not personality.

While I pray for your safe return, I do not support the continuation of an illegitimate war. If indeed I did not have the freedom to say this, I would gladly struggle for my right to do so.

Craig Boylstein
Gainesville, Fla.

The writer is a medical sociologist with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.