I received a few emails this week regarding my previous column concerning the need to bring God back into our country.

As I’ve stated several times, I welcome opinions that both agree and disagree with my stances. If we have 10 people in a room working on improvements and all 10 agree on everything, then there are nine people too many in the room.

Another gentleman by the name of Will Collins received an email that was intended for me but he used the attached article to correctly forward it on to my address. He took the liberty to discuss his disagreements with me and did so in a clear, concise and polite manner. His final statement was, “Good luck with your column. We may not agree on everything but the best part of this country is discussing why.”

My column comes to you in the “opinion” section of this great publication. Many of you will love what I have to say, while many more will express your disdain for my articles.

But isn’t it a great thing to be able to discuss why?

Our nation would see a lot of improvement if we understand that ideologies differ, but healthy discussion can lead to solutions. I don’t claim to have all the answers. If I did, I should be running the country. Instead, I offer opinions I hope lead to discussion.

I got a few emails and texts asking my thoughts about the recent missile strike on Syria. Personally, I think it was a necessary situation that I wish were unnecessary.

President al-Assad of Syria used chemical weapons on men, women and children. I can’t fathom a justified reason for this, but the message sent through our missile strike, however, was justified.

As stated in The New York Times, our generals made the case that al-Assad had to learn there was a price to be paid.

If you haven’t read any articles or watched videos regarding the chemical attack, I urge you to do so if you feel our strike was not a necessity.

President Trump built a strong case during his campaign that certain instances would not be tolerated when it comes to our nation’s safety. Don’t think for a moment this is not a safety concern for the U.S. A leader who would use such deplorable weapons on his people knows no bounds.

Someone asked if I thought the bombing of the air strip would prevent al-Assad from using chemical weapons in the near future. It’s hard to say because someone who used them once is obviously demented and is capable of anything. Our world witnessed such a person named Adolf Hitler and we definitely do not need someone like that again.

Some argue diplomacy should have been used first. Where was the diplomacy for the lives lost and families destroyed from the chemicals? I’m sorry, but it was too late for peace talks, negotiation, compromising, etc. Again, watch the videos or read some descriptions of what those people endured.

You may not feel the U.S. should police the globe, but in many situations it becomes unavoidable.

We should all wish to feel safe and be safe, which sometimes requires stopping trouble before it gets here. I think we have all witnessed what happens when we wait until trouble arrives.

We often have to demonstrate liberty in order to protect our it. It was President Woodrow Wilson who said, “I would rather belong to a poor nation that was free than to a rich nation that had ceased to be in love with liberty.”

Political enthusiast Will Collins is a Kentucky native who has called Winchester home for nearly the past 20 years. He can be emailed at wrcollins@gmail.com.