What's next?

by JUDY HODGSON

We have a particularly lively Mailbox this week in reaction to last week's cover ("People loved us," Sept. 4), one that reflects the continuing polarization in the community and the nation over the war in Iraq. One writer lambasted us for "wooing the wingnuts," while others praised us for telling the "real" story of a soldier just back from the front, as opposed to the one being told by the media. One reader correctly pointed out that it was simply the story of one Marine, one piece of a large and complicated puzzle -- and certainly not the definitive Iraq War story.

Running the story also does not change the editorial position of this newspaper, which we took in February before the invasion. When it became clear late last year that President Bush was not to be deterred in marching this nation to war, we joined others in the community in urging no military action without a second, definitive U.N. resolution and we asked readers to support those in Congress resisting the pressure for unilateral action. I remember being particularly dismayed that, according to polls at the time, a majority of American thought Iraq was responsible for 9/11 --falsehood that continues to this day, no thanks to the president.

So what happens next? The U.S. wants the U.N.'s prestige and financial help in rebuilding and policing Iraq, but only on U.S. terms. France and Germany, speaking for many in the international community, stood shoulder to shoulder last week and said no.

The next chapter will certainly be written next year during the U.S. presidential race. It's not terribly surprising that former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, who has spoken clearly and consistently against this dramatic change in U.S. international policy under President Bush, is such a rising star in the early polls.

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