More Wise Words on the Gulf Crisis From America's Children

All letters reprinted as written. Kids, don't try these spellings at home. "I know Sadam Husane has hidden missles, ect. but that's no reason to put hundreds of people's lives in danger," wrote Julianna, aged 11. "War has NO winners!"

Matt and Andrew, both 11, of Pennsylvania, expressed concern over civilian casualties: "If we go to war, lots of innocent kids and adults would be killed. It's not their fault that Saddam Huessin won't make a deal with the United States. The people in Iraq are afraid of Saddam too. We don't think anyone really trusts him."

Jaclene, 10, of Nevada, had some practical advice for the Pentagon, and offered her services as a consultant: "I would not start a war but I have a gut feeling that Iraq will have about 20,000 troops," she wrote. "The Networks should make some commercials, even about supporting the U.S. so we can get more money. If you like this message please let me know, so I can go in further depth."

Ten-year-old Eric of Connecticut also counseled caution: "I think we should wait a couple of weeks to really find out what's up with Iraq. If they aren't hiding anything why wouldn't they let us in to look around the first time we asked? Finally he let us in to look around, but maybe this is a trap to kill us. Maybe they hid nuclear warheads or illegal weapons, and when we get there they launch them and kill us. The U.S.A should be very carefull while looking around."

While believing that action was necessary to ensure Iraqi compliance, 10-year-old Noah of New York sounded like a National Security Council veteran with his suggestion that "we should make every effort to solve the problem through diplomacy, and if we start a war, we have to define what our criteria for winning will be."

If 11-year-old Matt of California had been at that Ohio town hall meeting, things might have turned out differently for Madeleine Albright. "Saddam Hussein is breaking his agreement! He should be preasured into letting UN inspectors investigate his palaces and other guarded places. If military action is needed, so be it!"

But spare a thought for the heartfelt plea of Louis, 9, of New Hampshire, who knew the poll numbers were against him, but feared the worst: "I think we should not bomb Iraq. If we start a war we could possibly die. If we die, millions of innocent kids would not be parents. Many of my classmates want to bomb Iraq, while I don't."