OTHER COMMENTARY / EXCERPTS : Operation a Success, but the Patient Died

After expressing sorrow that innocent civilians died in the missile attack on the Iranian Airbus, one must quickly put this deed into perspective. The accidental downing of a civilian airliner in a war zone pales in comparison to the deliberate deeds of terrorist murder and destruction that Iran and Khomeini have unleashed on the world for the last nine years.

The political implications of such a strategy on the coming American elections could be formidable. Ronald Reagan was elected in large part because of the perception that he wouldn’t allow the ayatollah to push us around.

If Khomeini is serious about an all-out war against the United States, and if America’s response is swift, strong and fair, George Bush could benefit substantially. Republicans could get a political boost this November if Bush verbally “beats up on” the ayatollah while Reagan is ordering air strikes in response to Khomeini-inspired terrorist attacks on Americans. Meanwhile, Michael Dukakis could be caught in the trap of either having to defend the Administration’s--and his opponent’s--decisions or displaying sympathy for the ayatollah.