PEOPLE POWER PEOPLE

New Paltz, NY

"The World's Other Superpower" by Jonathan Schell [April 14] came as a welcome boost to our spirits at this moment of dismay and disbelief at what the American war machine has unleashed on Iraq. I wish I could share Schell's optimism about "people power," but history, unfortunately, does not. Growing up in Germany during the heady years of the Weimar Republic, I witnessed its liberal, progressive, even left-radical majority collapse almost overnight when confronted by armed Nazi goon squads. Faced by the power of brute force, singing, banner-waving, slogan-shouting protesters are no match, even with the Internet. Finally, we grow weary and go home. Is there then no way to confront and possibly defeat the monster? Yes, history is full of precedents, but none are pretty or peaceful.

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