In response to Jared Stafford ("Set aside peace rallies; war may be necessary," Oct. 23 letter):

Stafford writes, "The United States should take pre-emptive action as long as there is proof of aggressive movements by Iraq to expand their weapons of mass destruction..."

How quickly we forget history! Earlier this month was the 40th anniversary of the Cuban missile crisis. Russia was placing nuclear missiles on our doorstep; war seemed inevitable. But somehow, war was avoided in conditions that I would argue are much more serious than those of today.

The participants of these "protests and demonstrations" Stafford speaks of aren't all pacifists as he would have us believe. Many are just people who believe war should be the last option and not just one on a list.