I am amazed that a communications graduate student could make arguments as ignorant and illogical as Roger Stahl's ("Planned attack on Iraq will kill many innocents," Jan. 28 letter.) Water treatment plants and power plants were never intentionally targeted during the Gulf War. The primary cause of misery to Iraq's population is Saddam Hussein.

The purpose of Operations Northern and Southern Watch are to protect the Iraqi people from air attacks by Saddam's military. Saddam still uses ground forces to slaughter civilians in southern Iraq. The Oil for Food program, which has provided billions of dollars in humanitarian aid to Iraq, is never mentioned by protesters. This program is hindered only by Saddam's attempts to divert the aid to his military. So who's the real enemy of the Iraqi people?

The Gulf War casualty figures are grossly incorrect. A median estimate puts Iraq's civilian deaths at around 2,500. A median estimate of total Iraqi deaths during the Gulf War is between 75,000 and 85,000. The idea that this is somehow a grab at Iraq's oil is spurious. If the United State's sole desire in the Middle East was to secure easy access to oil supplies, the U.S. would have done business with Saddam after he invaded Kuwait. Saddam has violated every UN resolution concerning Iraq. As the UNMOVIC report noted, the Iraqis have significant amounts of chemical and biological agents unaccounted for. They also have the means to deliver these agents. These are flagrant violations of UN resolutions.

Additionally, Saddam Hussein's record of brutality and oppression is well documented. This is the truth of history. Penn State students, I suggest we become informed on the truth about Iraq, not take part in a misguided protest.