An editorial letter...

I'm trying to write a little more about current events and not chat about so much fluff. It's easy to write about fluff though cuz it only takes a few minutes. ;) This is a editorial written to the campus paper that I think has some very good points!

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Letter to the Editor: "Facts show Iraq war illegal"

The U.N. Charter forbids the threat or use of force with two exceptions: 1) explicit Security Council authorization, and 2) self-defense against 'armed attack.' I think No. 2 can be passed on the grounds that an Iraq crippled by a decade of sanctions and bombing was obviously not a threat to the United States.

Since Peter Grandgeorge (letters, DI, Feb. 22) didn't mention any resolutions by name, I can only guess which one he is referring to. Perhaps he means Resolution 1441, which calls for Iraq to surrender its weapons of mass destruction or face 'serious consequences.' Although I would argue it was common knowledge that Iraq was disarmed before we attacked, none will dispute that we now know Iraq had no such weapons. Even allowing that it had weapons, 'serious consequences' is typically vague for the United Nations and doesn't imply invasion.

However, other resolutions with more straightforward language about regime change were put forward by the United States and not passed.

Brian Gryzlak (letters, DI, Feb. 21) and indeed U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan are right in stating that this is an illegal war. But don't take our words for it - research it yourselves, and I am confident you will come to the same conclusion.

R.E., Iowa City resident