To the Editor:

I think President Obama has stumbled in favoring a “punitive” (his term) attack on Syria.

Since when do countries adopt the stance of a Victorian father, punishing one another for perceived misdeeds? Who should then “punish” the United States for its bombing of Hiroshima? Why rush to violence when political solutions are still possible?

Perhaps a second term contributes to the president’s adopting such a trigger-happy position, as if the approaching deadline to his time in office contributes to a hasty decision.

Neither Congress nor the country as a whole support the “punitive” action he contemplates, and he should be reminded that he is a president, not an emperor nor dictator. He should pay attention to the will of the people.

Sybil Baker
Brunswick