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We cannot afford to continue to kill in the name of peace. It makes a nation that was the most revered into one of the most reviled on Earth. Across the globe, nations can see that we are only in this war for the oil. Why can't Congress see that, and stop this war?

We are not sending troops into East Los Angeles to curb the gang violence. Why are we still in Iraq? Iraq will not police its own people and reach a political settlement until we are gone. Bring our troops home now.

If Dick Cheney cared so much about our troops, then why did he lie to put them in harm's way in Iraq? Cheney is a coward, a suit and never served in the military, so what makes him an expert? He has been wrong on everything from WMDs to being received as liberators. Of course, this extends to President Bush, but Cheney had Bush's ear back when this started. Now Iraq is in civil war, and at least Congress is attempting to do something about it.

If we would have stayed with Afghanistan, we would not be in the middle of fighting a civil war. I don't think more of the same is the answer, and I certainly don't think the American public trust the decision of this GOP any longer. We, and the House and Senate, should not support the executive branch in their continued blunders.

In response to the March 22 article "Middle-schooler's Tigger socks spark court case."

Tigger is innocent. The wearing of Tigger socks isn't about a one-time violation of the Redwood Middle School's dress code. It is about the Scott family choosing to break these rules at least a dozen times in 18 months. I didn't read that Toni Scott's family had tried to rectify the situation through reason and discussion with the school board and PTA, both of whom I am sure had a hand in creating these rules. Rather, they chose to allow their daughter to break them.

Are the rules silly, unconstitutional, or out of date? They may be, and I am sure there was opportunity to express these ideas when they were instituted. And now the the ACLU has come to the rescue of a damsel and her schoolmates, who put themselves in peril and will make this a lesson for all who would impose dress codes.

And what lesson will Miss Toni Scott and her classmates learn from this? I think it will be less to do with things constitutional or their civil liberties, and a lot about working the system.

Iran's goal is to acquire nuclear weapons. It has been their goal all along. If anyone isn't clear on that point, I have some winning lottery tickets I would like to sell them. It was only a matter of time until Iran used the West as a catalyst for their need to acquire nuclear weaponry.

In a move as predictable as a bad B-movie punch line, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said that Tehran will pursue nuclear activities outside international regulations if the U.N. Security Council insists it stop uranium enrichment. It doesn't take a nuclear rocket scientist to figure out what "outside international regulations" means.

I can even predict what Iran will say once its true nuclear intentions are wholly public. We tried to comply with the U.N. and IAEA but the bad old aggressive United States made it necessary for us to do something we didn't want to do: get nuclear weapons. So they get what they wanted all along and, as a bonus, the opportunity to blame it all on the United States.

In response to the March 20 editorial "UMC should adopt policy against freebies."

This editorial urged the University of Arizona to ban education and outreach efforts by America's pharmaceutical companies to physicians and other prescribers. Such a ban would delay or lessen the amount of information they receive about the medicines prescribed to patients.

Such a proposal is unnecessary. Strict marketing guidelines were put in place more than five years ago by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. PhRMA's voluntary marketing guidelines are comprehensive and rigorous, and they're working. The guidelines clearly spell out that entertainment during a discussion of medicines is not appropriate because it distracts from what should be a serious conversation about when and how to use drugs effectively. That means no golf games, no tickets to sporting events and no trips to exotic locations. The guidelines also impose restrictions on gifts and meals so that a physician's independent judgment is never compromised.

Health-care professionals can learn about new medicines and treatment options from a variety of sources — including professional interactions and discussions with trained pharmaceutical company representatives. PhRMA member companies work with health-care providers to make sure they know about the wide variety of therapies available because ultimately, knowledge is the best medicine of all.

In response to the March 24 letters to the editor package "UA plan hailed; 'Big Pharma' view disputed."

Most of the letters the Star has published on this topic did not target the disputed activity: that of giving doctors big perks like expensive gifts, golf outings and overseas trips. Most responses were limited to the discussion of free samples; one letter even compared them to "free tidbits at Costco."

Free samples like pencils with the company's logo were not the source of this dispute. Such a method of advertising can quickly pass through a doctor's psyche. But an all-expense paid trip overseas would certainly be implanted in a doctor's mind, and be appreciated enough to remember to use that company's products.

The most efficacious letter was the one that proposed that universities provide doctors with an independent source to study the various aspects and use of the pharmaceuticals offered. I know that such knowledge would help patients.

In response to the March 25 article " 'The ultimate loss.' "

Lacey Jane Jarrell touched many lives, this is for sure. I miss seeing her happy smile, as the kids had band practice in our living room often: Daniel, Ernie, Stevo and Zuk.

In response to the March 25 article "A family trapped in the subprime bust."

The lead story in the Business section is about a "family trapped in the subprime bust." I then find an advertising insert folded around the comic page, presumably for maximum exposure, advertising home mortgages with no money down, bad credit and bankruptcy. These inducements are followed by another list of free services to further entice borrowers.

The Star is clearly working to help the subprime lender target marginal borrowers who have weak credit, adding to our current national default epidemic. I know that advertising dollars provide crucial income for the newspaper. However, I also believe that the Star should be more selective of its advertisers and not be party to helping its readers go into debt. Please consider the effect of your action, and consider taking the high road.

In response to the March 25 article "Donations benefit poor preschools."

Bless the Star's heart for printing the article on donations help Tucson's poorest preschools. That is newsworthy. The whole reason we should have media is to make this state a better place to live; not to entertain ourselves, but to make life better for those who go without. I can tell you my heart just got a whole lot better. I noted the addresses and plan on popping in there with chocolate chip cookies or Rice Krispy treats. Keep up the great work.