If anyone sees Edward Giovanetti (“Questions posed to pro-war columnist,” Friday, Dec. 2), tell him that “war is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things.” 

Tell Giovanetti that “the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feelings which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse.”

Also, explain to Giovanetti that “the person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.” 

Men sort of like Craig Ziemba, please tell Giovanetti.

John Stuart Mill, noted philosopher, arrived at this answer in 1865.