U.S. military expansion not way to bring peace across globe

I liked the Dec. 4 editorial questioning the wisdom of the "Pacific Pivot" policy. I am appalled at the extreme promotion of the military. The military-industrial complex has gained control of our minds. I believe we are being brainwashed into approving aggression.

We are being made very fearful, believing that we are in danger from all sides, that we need to "destroy" the enemies; that if we don't fight them in their country, they will come here. Is this realistic? I think these groups or nations probably see us as the fearsome threat.

We believe that we are always the good guys and the others are the bad guys. Were we the good guys when we bombed Baghdad, killing thousands of people, and calling it "shock and awe?"

The couple who just murdered so many people committed this terrible crime because they believed we are the bad guys. Reportedly ISIS has no shortage of recruits who feel likewise.

Do we think that we can destroy this idea with bombs? Or armies?

The terrorists and the people on the streets in the Middle East say they do not want us in their countries. Why are we there? I think that our actions have destabilized the region, and now we are turning to the Far East. The idea of "preemptive war" is flawed. It is still war. War is hell.

I believe that we have the smarts to live in peace. We must use them soon, or we will not be living at all. Tell the war machines to cool it while we use our brains. Other methods can work.

The idea that flaunting our military is the only answer is a sure way to make things worse, and will lead to more wars. War is not the answer.

Doris Sutliff

Bradenton

This story was originally published December 14, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "U.S. military expansion not way to bring peace across globe ."