A Letter To Young America

Times are desperate here in America.

We have, as you know, a President who doesn't care about the Constitution or the very principles on which our nation has been founded. We have an administration that is now responsible for more American deaths than al Qaida. And despite the recent victories by the Democratic Party in the House and Senate, there are still more than enough Republicans in office to keep Congress from making a significant statement against the war.

The generation that grew up during Vietnam is weary. They've been through a crisis like this before, and they know how it can divide the country. Besides, they've "grown up" since then, they made money in the eighties and nineties and retirement is more pressing an issue.

My generation -- X -- was, is and always will be too small in number. We were cynical in our youth, having learned (incorrectly) that we cannot make a difference.

But you, the youth of America, are the difference-makers here. You can do something. By simply following one rule, you can create such a problem for the Bush administration even the Democrats couldn't be as effective.

All you need to do to help make this country right again is to follow one simple rule: do not enlist.

This is by no means a commentary on the military life. Those of you who have read me long enough know I have nothing but the utmost respect for our soldiers, sailors and marines. But the fact is the one thing Bush needs that he simply cannot take or bully or steal is you.

Stand up against this war. Stand up against all that has gone wrong in the last six years. Stay out of the armed forces. Force George Bush's hand. He cannot fight a war without you.

You can make him stop.

You can make a difference.