On Nov. 18, there was a piece written concerning pulling out of anti-terrorist wars. Phillip Waring, of Coeur d’Alene, feels that the number of soldiers from our homeland and other countries that have given their lives is unacceptable and that number should not be given the chance to rise anymore.

Waring feels that this strategy is not working and that President Barack Obama cannot back out of the war because that would make him look weak.

My objection to his argument can be most clearly defined as, what were the other options? By fighting back when our country was attacked, we are defending those who lost their lives. We are standing up for freedom and liberty and not allowing anything but.

Also, justifying Obama’s choice to stay in war as a way to not look weak is inappropriate. Obama’s whole campaign was based on change. Now that he is president, maybe he sees the situation in a different light. Calling past leaders warmongers for the sake of an ego boost is completely untrue.

Every leader has had their reasons, and by definition, our new president, thus far into his term, falls into the same category.

Abigail M. Kalk

Spokane