Bradley gets an earful of anti-war feeling

By GEOFF CUNNINGHAM Jr.

Staff Writer

LACONIA — In step with recent national and international anti-war demonstrations, a number of area residents told U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley that they oppose using military force to disarm Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

"I just don’t see why we are in such a big fat hurry."

These were the words local resident Karen Barker pointed at Bradley during an open forum that quickly focused on the possibility of war in Iraq.

While Bradley’s first-ever "town meeting" at City Hall saw more than 30 residents voicing a variety of concerns, a large majority wanted answers to why the federal government is supporting action that could eventually result in more conflict in the Persian Gulf.

The freshman congressman is currently in the process of touring the Granite State in an attempt to "listen and learn" from his constituents in District One.

On Tuesday he was told that more residents than he might think are angry with the Bush administration that they feel is "hell-bent" on solving national security woes by flexing its military muscle.

Only minutes after Bradley finished a short introductory speech, a cross-section of residents began questioning him as to why the government appears to be giving up on diplomatic efforts.

Local Attorney Brian McEvoy, a Navy veteran who served on submarines, told Bradley that he is fearful of an administration that seems overly anxious go to war with a country that has yet to prove to be an imminent threat.

"We’re talking about an unprovoked attack on another country. I feel that this is trigger-happiness," he told the congressman.

Other residents questioned why the administration was unwilling to allow U.N. weapons inspectors and diplomats more time to bring about a peaceful disarmament.

Bradley responded by saying that he thinks that war should be avoided at all costs, but that Hussein’s continued unwillingness to cooperate could require military involvement.

"It is my hopes and prayers that we will be able to solve this without the use of force," was a response Bradley repeated several times during the course of the meeting.

He also expressed doubt that inspections are proceeding towards any meaningful end.

"It is a proceeding, but not in disarming Iraq," said Bradley, adding that Hussein is using the inspections to stall efforts to disarm the country.

Bradley, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, pointed out several times that it is his belief that Iraq poses a serious threat to the United States.

However, residents attending Tuesday’s hearing argued that they see little good coming out of a war that will do little to ensure national security.

"What ever happened to Osama bin Laden? Why should we have any confidence that problems will be solved by going after Saddam Hussein?" asked former state Rep. Jane Wood.

Others argued that an attack would only provoke those extremist groups who already foster a hatred for the United States.

"It won’t give us more security ... it will give us less. Do we really want to go in this direction?" asked Ella Tichy Kunz of Meredith.

Bradley responded by admitting that — while military action could spark a call for vengeance — a military disarming could enhance security by removing weapons of mass destruction and bringing stability to the region.

Laconia City Councilor James Cowan pointed out that many respected officials/experts have spoke openly against war.

He asked if such people could be given a platform to speak before the Armed Services Committee.

Others simply asked Bradley to consider their concerns when returned to Washington, D.C.

Other topics discussed on Tuesday focused on federal mandates including in the government’s No Child Left Behind Law.

Mayor Mark Fraser asked if anything was being done to work on a problem that has local school districts struggling to implement underfunded or unfunded federal mandates.

Bradley responded by acknowledging the problem and assuring that he would work to assure that the Department of Education works more closely with the State School Board to "bridge the gap" on the problem.

Sue Halle de Séve of the NH chapter of the Sierra Club, questioned Bradley on his position relating to oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska.

She said that she believes such drilling seriously compromises the pristine natural area and would do little to lessen the nation’s dependency on foreign oil.

Bradley said he is against such drilling, but refused to rule out the possibility that such action could be needed in the future considering what is a "cloudy world situation."

"My viewpoint is that we should do everything possible not to drill in ANWR," he said.

While speakers at Tuesday’s meeting touched on issues of education, health care, taxes and even the genetic alteration of foods, they frequently and consistently returned to discussion relating to Iraq.

Bradley made it known that although he was not a member of the 107th Congress that granted Bush the power to use force should inspections turn up weapons violations, he would have voted in favor of giving the president such authority.

"There are threats to our national security ... I am convinced of that," he said

While many attending Tuesday’s session openly voiced their disagreement with the Congressman, nearly all who spoke thanked him for taking the time to come and hear their concerns.

"It’s my job," said Bradley.

The Congressman will travel to Goffstown today to hold another such town meeting. Bradley staffers say that such meetings will be ongoing as the congressman attempts to effectively represent constituents in his district.