Maj. Robert Tormey, USAF (Ret.)

If you believe President Bush's acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, it is now the duty of America to liberate the Middle East in a new century of freedom. It is clear Bush will use the U.S. military to march his crusade wherever and whenever he wants.

We know Iraq, Iran and North Korea have been identified as the axis of evil — one down and two to go. You are right, Mr. President, we know exactly where you stand — and it does not make us feel safer.

As a veteran, I urge students and faculty to elect a commander-in-chief who puts our sons and daughters in harm's way only as a last resort, not as part of some global crusade.

Tormey served over 20 years in the U.S. Air Force including a four-year tour commanding Minuteman nuclear missiles at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, and a three-year tour with the space shuttle program as manager of the Department of Defense security evaluation team for the first DOD satellite launch from the shuttle Columbia.

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