Surprising support

Mark O. Hatfield, who served as a U.S. senator from Oregon from 1967 to 1997 has quite the anti-war record. As that state's governor, he was the only governor who refused to sign a statement supporting President Johnson's Vietnam War policy, he joined with the anti-war George McGovern to try end that war. He was the only senator who voted against both the Democrat and Republican resolutions authorizing the use of force in the 1991 Gulf War. He was even against Clinton's decision to send American troops to Bosnia and never voted for a military appropriations bill. So reading this is a bit of a shock:

Having seen atrocious loss in World War II, I understand the devastation of armed conflict. We have paid dearly with American and Iraqi lives for our commitment, but we cannot afford the alternative. Nor can we afford a president who puts a wet finger in the air and turns over his decisions to pollsters.

President Bush has indeed taken heat for his resolve in pursuing the war on terrorism and efforts in Iraq. His steadfastness and resolve in the face of his critics are deserving of praise.

As terrorists continue to plot against our country and our interests, the American people must choose between action and inaction, between security and insecurity.

I believe the choice is clear. I will proudly cast my vote for President George W. Bush.