For peace we need dignity and respect

To serve the United States as a politician, it is good to know our history. During the Revolutionary war, we had advantages over the British. They had more soldiers, but we knew the land, had determination, time, and desperation. That is why we won.

Now, in Iraq and Afghanistan, they know their land, they're determined, they have time, and they're desperate. What makes us think we can win? If you try to quell an idea, or a way of thinking, people will only want it even more.

We cannot “win” this war. We can wipe out the Taliban, al-Qaida, and everybody else who doesn't like us, but there will always be more people willing to fight us.

If I could have voted (I'm only 13), I would have chosen Barack Obama. Unfortunately, even he isn't doing the right thing. The way to stop these wars is to get out of there, and find a way to at least partially compensate for what we have done.

We must stop alienating Middle Easterners, exploiting their natural resources, and interfering with their countries, because those are some reasons they fear and despise us.

When we finally realize that. though we have religious, cultural and political differences, we are all humans, and should treat each other with dignity and respect, then, there will be peace.

Sam Werner

Cedar Rapids