Joe Lombardo and John Amidon have a crusade against the use of drones and/or war in general as it is conducted by their country ("Anti-war leaders target drones," Oct. 27). Mr. Amidon is a veteran, and I should be upfront that I am also. Though him being a veteran doesn't seem to have much to do with their activity as activists, I still think they could appreciate some facts about war.
Wars are caused by some action on the part of some group against another group, which motivates and escalates the violence. In the case of our country, we are motivated to seek out and destroy our enemy, to prevent more aggression on their parts, and to end their ability to wage war.
The war the U.S. is conducting is justified, though the enemy is not a country, rather religious extremists of Islam. Wars have always resulted in deaths to noncombatants, who may or may not support the targets of the violence. This is collateral damage.
When Mr. Lombardo was touring Pakistan, I'm surprised his group didn't make contact with al-Qaida or the Taliban. I am sure they would have been happy to meet and discuss frustrations with this war. They have, in the past, been kind to their guests. Remember Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl.
Finally, I wish people would stop using their veteran status as a qualifier. It makes it harder for me to be proud of my own status.
WALTER MARCHEWKA JR.
Saratoga Springs