To the editor:

Here’s a quick response to two letter writers from the April 20 Opinion section who took umbrage to my letters.

Jens Rivera takes exception to my views in a fairly vituperative missive because of, as he wrote, “facts that insult our intelligence.” I suggest Mr. Rivera should read more books and articles that contain facts. That way you could use them in a rebuttal. I do like the idea of you chuckling at my letters though. Everyone likes a good laugh. I liked your letter for that same reason.

Mr. See came across as almost reasonable; however, if we read the letter closely, the real issue comes up. That issue is a lack of critical thinking by stating: “An unfortunate fact of war is things like collateral damage and friendly fire accidents.” In my view this is just another meme used to excuse atrocities committed in our name.

This is what I have come to take exception with in America today.

One writer doesn’t like “facts” because they insult his intelligence, and another doesn’t like a person because he did the right thing by exposing an atrocity perpetrated by our military and calls it “An unfortunate fact of war…”

I also take issue with the tired old saw that the military defends “the freedom of speech he enjoys.” Poor Iraqis and Afghanis will never be able to shut me up, so if that’s why the military is there, you can bring them home now. Please read “War Is a Racket” by General Smedley Butler. This will illustrate why we are really there — profit.

I’m talking about the soul of America and what America has become. My freedom of speech can in no way be connected to kicking in the door of an Iraqi or Afghani human being because he is suspected of being an “insurgent.” Could it be that he is just like you, Mr. Rivera and Mr. See, and just wants to protect his family from the invading army?

One last unfortunate “fact” for Rivera: The last time preemptive war was a national policy was in Germany just before World War II.

America desperately needs help, and helping requires we all do some soul searching and critical thinking.

Dan Freeman

Clinton