In response to Gary Horton’s pontification of the military industrial complex (May 20), let us understand that President Dwight Eisenhower had just witnessed 400,000 Americans and millions of world citizens perish from World War II. He was concerned so that we never see that horror repeated.
Having lived through 15 presidents and every conflict since and including World War II, I guarantee you a weak military simply invites unbridled hostility. Contrast Eisenhower’s experience to today’s president who perhaps has saved more lives preventing war than any other president in history.
Does Mr. Horton quickly forget Sept. 11 or Oct. 7 or the possibility of nuclear disaster at the hands of crazed terrorists?
Truth be told, Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump are 100% correct: Peace through strength works, deters, and gives the world confidence that order can be achieved. If limited action requires that assurance then that is the price of keeping the lunatics in check.
Please rethink your premise, Mr. Horton, and get a better handle on history.
Bob “Papa” Patteri
Stevenson Ranch
