Editor,

Congressman Rick Larson asked for input on whether or not to bomb Syria. My answer is simple: no.

We should make global warming our number one priority and, if we must be “leader of the world,” lead by taking radical and immediate steps to address this crisis. Our next priorities should be taking care of our own: domestic issues, like jobs, health care, education, infrastructure, immigration, and gun control.

Obama’s rationale is convincing, if one believes the U.S. should be policeman of the world and that “might makes right.” His condition that the decision must be approved by Congress was a necessary amendment, but I think he should take it further: the decision should be supported by Britain, Russia, China, India, the United Nations and NATO as well, before any actions are taken.

It is time for the U.S. to step down from its arrogant role of military interventionism, particularly in the Middle East. All sane countries of the world who care about the well-being of the planet should take responsibility for eliminating weapons of mass destruction and terrorism, together, as all countries are in jeopardy. If they can’t work together, humanity will have sealed its fate.

I believe that violence begets more violence. Let us use our many gifts of education, technology, and intellectual freedom to serve as a model for productive, peaceful, healing engagement with the world.

We cannot save all the developing countries from themselves, particularly when our government’s real motives are not necessarily humanitarian, but are most probably to exploit them for their natural resources or their strategic military locations.

HEIDI HOELTING

Clinton