Stop the war; vote Nov 7

The U.S. Army plans to “stay the course” in Iraq, if necessary, until 2010. That decision will undoubtedly produce many more unnecessary American and Iraqi deaths. A study says that 650,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed to date by both American forces and insurgents. The president questions the study's methodology. I say, give or take 100,000, who cares? Still too many innocent lives taken, and for what? The American public must stand up and make your voice heard on Nov. 7. The only way the war in Vietnam was finally ended was when Congress choked off funding for it. That must happen now. Let's put some balance and reason in our government and tip the scales to allow Congress to choke off the billions being spent (and diverted to Halliburton and other war profiteers) instead of going to American citizens — those of us who need health-care reform, seniors who can't pay for prescriptions, Katrina victims still homeless, American soldiers with debilitating injuries, struggling war widows, and finally, steps to ensure real homeland security. Make your voice heard and vote on Nov. 7. Our future depends on it! Kim Hancock, Linwood - Published in the Atlantic City Press, October 19, 2006