You are absolutely right — the US did bomb Iraq. And you are also correct in saying that act is not consistent with what I believe, which is that violence is rarely, if ever, the solution to problems. But that isn’t germane to the point I was trying to make. My point was that you made the decision that the author is dishonorable because he participated in a dishonorable war (there are those who have argued that all war is dishonorable, BTW) and therefore he has no business in talking about what is honorable or not. That this man’s letter to his daughter, about how she should look for someone with honor, is therefore invalid. That’s the part I take exception to. Because what he wrote is, frankly, exactly what I would hope for my own daughter; that she would also meet someone someday who would act honorably, not just towards her, but towards the world at large (as the author said). And if you feel that stance is invalid because the author, in your mind, is “dishonorable”, well, that’s a pity.

It’s a pity because it’s a missed opportunity for a discussion, which is sorely lacking in America right now. Since I don’t get the feeling you can see the author as anything other than dishonorable (and me as a hypocrite), all I can do is wish you good day.

PS — You may be surprised to know that many Americans think Columbus brought little but death and destruction to this continent. Talking to people instead of presuming how they are and what they believe can be quite illuminating.