In response to Bill Barnes’ letter (“War protesters cost more lives,” March 12), it is ludicrous to suggest that protesters led to more aggressive behavior of the Axis leaders in WW II. You may mean resistance forces and saboteurs but certainly not protesters for they had no voice at all.

What a difference Europe might have been if people had protested the Axis powers and its blind obedience of their leadership. Last I checked this is still America, where I can question our leaders, protest positions I’m uncomfortable with and still be every bit the patriot as anyone.

I am pro military, I served as a paratrooper, and I take great pride in our armed services. I do not take pride in Pres. Bush or his administration for leading us down this path of war with Iraq unilaterally.

This must be a world (U.N.) action to get rid of this menace of Saddam because we can’t afford it morally, politically or monetarily. That’s why I protest as a proud American.

Richard Tunstall

Greenbank