Comparing Hitler and Hussein

Isn’t it convenient for Germany to have the excuse of a constitutional prohibition against sending its sons and daughters to fight alongside coalition troops? Not only does this excuse save Germany from the tragedy of dead and wounded German soldiers, it also prevents the black irony of Germans killed by German gas or by gas produced with German know-how and German equipment.

Fifty years ago Germany’s industry eagerly bid for the right to supply gas and gas-processing equipment to carry out the genocide nightmare of the Nazis. Now we learn that the same German industry has been supplying Iraq with the ability to rain death gas on our troops, Israel and on Iraq’s Gulf foes.

It’s time the world recognized that as long as there’s a tyrant willing to use chemical weapons, there will be Germans willing and eager to supply the means.

LEONARD TACHNER

Newport Beach