The Udder’onnors say pack up and leave right this minute, like a young man vacating an apartment where he had no intention of paying long-overdue rent, and which he’s severely trashed by brawling parties.

The war situation reminds me of a person seeking psychological health. The counselor asks: “So, what do you want?” The client has no earthly idea what he wants. Or, he wants unrealistic things: he wants to stop using drugs, but he doesn’t want to change his lifestyle.

I am personally not in favor of war, though I know full well there is a time and place for it. The thought of any further loss of American honor is distasteful to me, but our present situation reminds one of the old image of a gal who’s already slept with every joker in town but one, and who now demands that the remaining one “respect her because she’s not a tramp.”

There’s no telling how many Iraqi people are caught in this mess. Even more important to me are the thousands of American soldiers and families who are caught up in it, too.

There is a whole ‘nuther story going on than any of us know about. I don’t pretend to know what that story is, but can only observe that all the various leaders of all sides make statements calculated to inflame. These leaders — ours included — do not seem to want a resolution. A resolution is bad for business, I suppose.

Throughout this whole mess, one hears constant mention of different religious leaders. The driving force behind much of the world’s animosity is religion. Perhaps this so-called religious feeling is the outgrowth of irreconcilable cultural differences. One man reads left to right, the other reads right to left.

But the question remains: How can religious leaders — in good conscience — lead people to violence? Doesn’t every religious teaching encourage love?

Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike claim to teach peace and love. Judging by actions, all sides are lying.

If the world’s leaders were half as brave as they made themselves out to be, they would sit down at a table and figure out how to get along, and then lead their people accordingly. But this scenario, which all school kids are constantly taught is good behavior, is nothing more than a pipe dream.

Where is the pressure from the world’s religious community? Where are the bold Christian, Jewish, and Muslim leaders who have joined together, shaken hands, and vowed to stop this madness?

One must conclude there’s another story at work in the world’s situation, and it has nothing to do with religion. Our leaders are not only unwilling to talk to each other, they’re unwilling to speak truthfully to us.

It’s said that Christians, Jews, and Muslims share common ancestry. All sides claim Abraham as “the old man.” If this were true, what would the old man say about his mean-spirited children?

(Editor’s Note: Email David Clark at dclark@outofthesky.com, or write him at P.O. Box 148, Cochran, Ga. 31014.).