Lift the curtain

Dear Republic:

I would like to suggest that Paul Martin lift the curtain of rhetoric on missile "defense" just a little bit and take a peek at what may be lurking behind.

George W Bush has a policy of unilateral pre-emptive war. He also reserves the right to use a first strike of nuclear weapons if and when he believes it necessary to do so.

Missile "defense" is absolutely necessary for the United States if it is considering a pre-emptive nuclear strike against another country (such as Korea or Russia). It would prevent any effective nuclear response from the country under attack.

George W Bush has proven over and over again that he is a liar. Why should Canada believe him now when he says that missile defense is to "protect" the US from "rogue states"? He is perfectly capable of initiating nuclear war if his evangelical muse suggests it is the thing to do.

- Andrew Phillips, New Westminster

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