Ill-Planned Occupation Leads to Carnage in Iraq

Re “Death Toll in Twin Strikes on Iraqi Shiites Rises to 143,” March 3: Isn’t it ironic? Hundreds of our fine military people have been killed and thousands maimed since our misleaders sent them to invade Iraq to save the world from Saddam Hussein. The result? More people will be killed and maimed than Hussein could have brought about. And the cheap oil is less safe than it was before. Aren’t we proud?

Margaret Lawrence

San Diego

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Re “U.S. Has Become Easy Scapegoat for Iraqis,” March 3: So some in the Bush administration are baffled that Iraqis take out their frustration on Americans for terror bombs at mosques. It is sad but still human nature. President Bush should look in the mirror: His own response to a terror attack conducted by Saudis led from Afghanistan was to invade Iraq. And our soldiers are caught in the cross-fire. If his cause had truly been Iraqi democracy he would have planned the occupation better -- or, more accurately, planned at all.

Eames Demetrios

Santa Monica