The commentary by Students Against War (“War on terror renews cycle of violence,” Sept. 12) proved them utterly fatuous. Being against war, as opposed to being against a particular war, is simply not a valid position. For one thing, the horrors of war will disappear only if both sides are convinced to lay down arms.

Still, the pacifist argument is remarkably resistant to its own internal contradiction and to history. Irksome as it is to have to employ the reductio ad Hitler, it must be asked: If war renews a “cycle of violence,” then where are the Nazi hordes clamoring for Allied blood?

Students Against War of course has no answer. The “cycle of violence” is just an old chestnut and now it’s roasted.