OPEN LETTER TO ILLINOIS CONGRESSMAN PETER ROSKAM ON IRAQ WAR

Dear Congressman Roskam,

Eighty-four American soldiers died in Iraq in January, your first month as Illinois Sixth District Congressman. They all died horrible, needless deaths in a war that was unnecessary because it was made up by the Bush administration.

Three thousand and one soldiers died in the previous forty-six months under your predecessor and mentor Henry Hyde. He neither lifted a finger nor said one word to stop this unconscionable, immoral, illegal and criminal war.

You come into office with an opportunity to help undue the enormous damage this war has done to our military, our treasury, our credibility around the world, indeed, our very soul as a decent, moral nation.

But in your first month you have done nothing while these eighty-four brave soldiers perished propping up an utterly unnecessary and failed military venture. At the rate they died in January, two thousand sixteen will perish during your initial term in Congress.

Congressman, our soldiers deserve better. The Sixth District deserves better. America deserves better.

Please, be a statesman instead of a cautious career politician. Come out against this futile war and work to de-fund it. Stop this administration determined to wage unrelenting war till they are ushered out of the White House, whether on Inauguration Day in twenty-three months, or sooner by impeachment or resignation in disgrace.

And please, don’t delay a single day. Two more soldiers will die for that delay.

Sincerely,

Walt Zlotow

Originally published in The Glen Ellyn News, February 21, 2007