To the Editor:

Jack Reed is in a very embarrassing situation in supporting the use and sale of “cluster bombs,” which have been criticized by humanitarian groups and 119 nations as being immoral and illegal. They have been aptly described as “hell from above.” One large bomb is dropped, which then releases tens of hundreds of smaller bomblets. These devastating bomblets are designed to explode above ground, and each bomblet reigns down hundreds of pieces of metal shrapnel, which penetrates metal and tears human flesh and bone apart. About 20 percent of the bomblets do not explode in air, but fall to the ground and then become active devastating land mines, which kill innocents, especially children.

They are so horrific there was a worldwide move to ban them as immoral. Up to this date, 119 nations have declared them illegal, but not the U.S. We are the biggest manufacturer and user of these immoral weapons. Many are made right here in R.I. by Textron. In a recent Congressional vote, 164 Democrats in the House voted them down, but Jack Reed supports their use and sale. Why? It just might be because he has received $11,000 in contributions from Textron.

Since most humanitarians consider them immoral, one might suggest that Jack Reed put politics ahead of morality, or, one might say, he sold his morality for $11,000. But as voters, we say “he is a nice guy” and keep voting him back in. Shame on Jack Reed, but more shame on us.

Joseph Clifford

Jamestown