To the Editor:

I would like to thank The Mining Journal for acknowledging the right of
the Citizens Opposed to War with Iraq (COWI) to present a resolution in
opposition to the coming war with Iraq before the Marquette City
Commission.  In this time of jingoistic patriotism and government
assault upon civil liberties, we must strongly defend our constitutional
right of free speech and remember our responsibility to act as informed
citizens on issues of great concern to the community.  By reporting on
COWI¹s efforts to educate and provide a forum for debate on the issue of
war with Iraq, The Mining Journal has contributed to strengthening the
democratic process.  For that, members of COWI are grateful.

However, COWI rejects The Mining Journal¹s assertion that we are an
insignificant group operating on the political fringe.  COWI has well
over 50 active members and recently staged a protest rally in downtown
Marquette with over 100 participants (October 26).  When was the last
time Marquette saw such an outpouring of public dissent?  COWI¹s broad
membership includes citizens of all socio-economic levels from across
the Upper Peninsula.  Along with our Saturday morning vigils for peace
in downtown Marquette, COWI sponsors monthly educational forums,
coordinates letter writing campaigns, and lobbies our political
representatives.  COWI also maintains a close connection with the
growing national anti-war movement.

COWI also objects to The Mining Journal¹s argument that the Marquette
City Commission should consider a resolution opposed to war with Iraq as
³absurd.²  On the contrary, a war with Iraq will have a very direct and
negative impact on Marquette.  First, it is estimated that a protracted
war and subsequent occupation of Iraq will cost the citizens of Michigan
at least $3 billion.  Certainly, this money would be better spent on our
crumbling schools, urban centers, and collapsing economic
infrastructure.  Second, the billions spent on the war will result in
ballooning federal deficits further weakening the already sluggish state
economy and thereby insuring further reductions in state aid to
Marquette.

Regardless of the monetary harm, Marquette¹s political leadership simply
has a moral obligation to take a stand against a dissolute and criminal
war.  The struggle for peace is never absurd, but a blind and ignorant
march to war is always folly.  Public debate on this issue is crucial. 
For this reason, The Mining Journal has a professional obligation to
continue coverage of the anti-war effort in Marquette, despite the
editorial staff¹s pro-war inclination.

Marcus C. Robyns 
Citizens Opposed to War with Iraq 
436 Stone Quarry Dr.
Marquette, MI 49855 
362-1996