If Washington falls, what’s next?
Re “Rethinking the unthinkable,” Opinion, Dec. 16
Bruce Ackerman’s article ends before it raises the additional question that if terrorists succeed in destroying Washington, would people still have faith in our existing political institutions and their capacity to protect the country?
The world’s economy would collapse into chaos. The dollar would be worthless. Millions worldwide would starve. Would an appointed Senate be able to deal with this sort of situation? Clearly it couldn’t. The practical reality behind all forms of government is that they are allowed to exist as long as their armed forces play along and work within the constitutional scheme.
Just as ancient Rome began to rely more on a strong military component and less on its Senate after the Second Punic War and the continued external and internal threats to its rule, Americans might no longer trust mere politics to keep them safe if Washington were destroyed.
KEN C. ARNOLD
Santa Monica
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What would happen if terrorists destroyed Washington? I imagine there are plenty of us who figure it might be the best thing that could happen to America.
PHILLIP W. HOFFMAN
Pace, Fla.
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