Editor, Gazette-Journal:

What really is our national interest? When asked, politicians, generals and even business leaders spout “Our national interest” as justification to embroil ourselves in the politics and, on many occasions, the destruction of a legitimate government.

This has historically ended poorly, with the U.S. spending its fortunes and donating its children with the world no better for the effort. Before you think me anti-American or anti-military, let me assure you I am not. A soldier’s job is to do as his commander orders, not to debate world politics. This is what makes them so special, so valuable and us so much in their debt.

So, what is it?

Is it freedom? I think not. If it were, we would declare most of the African continent ours to liberate and occupy until freedom was assured. But much of Africa is populated with people not far removed from the Stone Age, with little in the way of resources we can utilize. Public opinion for the liberation an...