RALPH PETERS ISN’T BUYING the “Chickenhawk” argument:

THERE are few things more repugnant to a soldier than a coward who claims to speak on his behalf. At present, there seems no end of politicians and pundits claiming we dare not strike Saddam because of the danger of friendly casualties. Self-appointed voices of conscience warn of tens of thousands of American dead.

That’s nonsense. And when those who despise the men and women in uniform invoke the welfare of our troops to further their failing agendas, they transcend the commonplace cynicism of Washington. This is hypocrisy as a moral disease. . . .

Make no mistake: The anti-war voices long for us to lose any war they cannot prevent.

Don’t mince words, Ralph. You’re a columnist now — say what you really mean.

I think that Peters is right about certain sectors of the antiwar movement, who really do see the United States as the evil empire. On the other hand, I think that there are other people who are antiwar out of concerns distinct from anti-Americanism. Unfortunately, the former category has gotten most of the attention, because it includes a lot of people who are vocal and good at getting publicity. Here’s a response to those in Category Two.