The peace movement should choose its battles carefully. Protesters who are quick to condemn a forced regime change in Iraq may be hurting their cause.
United States President George W. Bush is not the only one who needs to consider the big picture. If Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein uses weapons of mass destruction, the voice of the peace movement would be discounted, leading to military suppression in the name of fighting terrorism for years.
History needs to be examined. Mr Hussein has shown himself to be a megalomaniac along the same lines as Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin. He has initiated invasions of two neighbouring states, gassed his own people, ignited oil fields and kicked out weapons inspectors to escape international decrees.
If there is evidence that Mr Hussein is developing nuclear weapons, there is too great a chance that this man would use them. Taking him out now would save millions of lives later.
Many worry about the economic side effects and loss of regional stability if Iraq is invaded; but what would be the effects of a nuclear device being detonated inside a city? If the city was located in Israel, would Israel retaliate in kind? What would this do for regional stability, or world stability?
The facts should be considered, before acting or not acting and people who speak for peace must not blind themselves to history and human nature.