I attended the NIU Community for Peace’s Panel discussion on Tuesday, Feb. 19 and I was glad to see your coverage of it in Wednesday’s Star.

Without commenting on the overall quality of the piece, I would like to point out one inaccuracy.

The article quotes Bill Davis, a member of the Vietnam Veterans Against the War: “War profiteering is a sick business and businessmen out there are licking their chops.”

It goes on to say that he was “referring to an advertisement for T-shirts.” In fact, Mr. Davis was referring to an ad for an area car dealer.

Ironically, this ad was very prominently displayed in the exact same issue of the Star in which Mr. Davis is quoted.

Mr. Davis is right in his condemnation of war-profiteers. These unscrupulous salesmen deliberately attempt to associate themselves and their establishments with the symbols of the flag and the yellow ribbon.

They hope the outpourings of goodwill and sympathy these symbols elicit, will translate directly into increased sales.

I urge everyone to read these ads critically. Can you honestly and knowingly support this perversion of your good intentions?

If these businesses really intended to show support, they would do so without covertly stuffing their coffers.

Why not offer discount and low-interest payment plans to the families financially strapped by the war? Why not hire a service member’s spouse who’s been forced back to work?

Why not sponsor programs at the schools designed to alleviate the fear and anxiety of children whose parents are there?

These actions would easily stimulate more long-lasting and sincere goodwill from more members of the community than empty flag-waving ever could.

Mary Ellen Okar

DeKalb resident