Siding with Shuman.

• Position: Letters to the Editor

I would be a former reader of The Progressive were it not for Michael H. Shuman's piece ("Why I Won't Sign") in the November issue. If your magazine continues with its sniveling, "blame America" approach in the post-September 11 era, you will turn away many who are committed to progressive issues, but believe that the murder of more than 3,000 civilians warrants some sort of military response.

Do you not understand that these people do not understand anything but brutality? We all know that American foreign policy is far from perfect; I am often critical of the way the U.S. government forces its will on the rest of the world.

However, if you think for one minute that another country with our political, military, or economic status would treat the world with more respect, you are blind and ignorant.

Ryan T. Heuwinel Denver, Colorado As a veteran of the peace movement who is conflicted...