What did you mean by 'prepared to do anything'...?

While I disagree with nearly the entirety of Frank Miele’s Feb. 8 “Editor’s 2 cents” column regarding Islamic terrorism (I do agree that there are Islamic terrorists), I want to address one specific comment with some simple questions.

Miele made the statement that “those of us who recognize the evil of the Islamic State and are prepared to do anything necessary to stop it …” (emphasis added). These are also good questions for all of “those of us”, including members of Congress.

Are you willing to enlist in the military, and ask to serve in the infantry or otherwise on the front line? Or, if you are past enlistment age, did you previously serve?

Are you willing for your sons and daughters to enlist?

Do you support an increase in taxes to fund the full costs involved, immediately and in the future?

Will you support the reinstitution of a fair draft so that all citizens, including the children of Congress and the wealthy, share at least the risk of an equal, personal, involvement in carrying out our foreign policy decisions?

It’s an empty statement to be willing to do anything necessary if it is at no cost or risk to yourself or those you love.

If the answer to any of the above questions is no, your words, like those so many others people throw around that say “we” but mean “they”, are simply rhetoric. —Dan Russell, Whitefish

 (EDITOR’S NOTE: Managing Editor Frank Miele concurs with Mr. Russell’s description of the sacrifice necessary to protect our way of life, but he would add one more: “Speak the truth no matter what the cost.”)