Sarah Palin's use of the phrase "war card" in her recent interview with Chris Wallace is even more evidence that, to some, politics is just a sordid game.

She said that she borrowed the phrase from an article written by Pat Buchanan and she used the phrase to describe what she believes could improve Obama's chance at winning re-election in 2012. Palin said that if the elections were held today, she doesn't think Obama would be re-elected.

She then stated that if Obama were to "play the war card" against Iran, it would surely change the dynamics of the election. She goes on to explain her belief that Obama needs to do whatever he can to support Israel.

War or other military action against Iran may well be necessary at some point to reduce Iran's nuclear threat and help stabilize that region. However, this rhetoric from Palin only demonstrates the kind of gamey thinking that's infesting our political system.

Now, if Obama were to deem it necessary to use military action against Ahmadinejad's regime, Palin, Buchanan and countless other commentators would almost certainly claim that Obama wasn't acting in the best interest of Israel, the region, the U.S. or anyone else. They would argue that he was simply playing the "war card" to increase his chances of re-election, even if they agree with the action taken.

Call me naïve, but this suggestion of using war as if it's a card in the political deck is quite frightening to me, and it demonstrates a kind of thinking that we simply cannot accept as normal.

AARON WAGNER

Burlington