In his column yesterday, Mr. Bambenek asserts that the military spends its time defending something good. An honest look at history (see Vietnam) teaches us that this is not always true. Governments can fabricate facts and order their armed forces to embark on unjust military adventures. I have served in the military and I have followed orders. Not all of the orders were benevolent and some caused great harm. The Iraq war is an example of a disastrous adventure that was based on lies. The humanitarian catastrophe caused by the illegal invasion and continued occupation of Iraq needs to stop as soon as possible. On Nov. 7, voters in Champaign-Urbana have a historic opportunity to express their opposition to unjustified and unprovoked wars by voting “Yes” on the advisory referendum that calls for the withdrawal of U.S. military personnel and bases from Iraq. Close to a million Iraqis and thousands of Americans have perished since it began. And if these numbers are not enough to convince the most skeptic about the disastrous effects of this war, innumerably more people have been scarred for life because of physical and psychological injury. On Election Day, I encourage you to set your political loyalties on the side and let your humanity decide how you vote on this issue. It is imperative that citizens send a strong message to all: The Iraq war must end because it has cost too many human lives and has depleted our country from much needed economic resources.

Kostas Yfantis

Candidate for Champaign County Board District 7