Getting Rid of Hussein

I fail to understand the timidity of The Times in calling only for Saddam Hussein’s removal, rather than for a democratic revolution in Iraq. How are the people and their region helped when a Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot or Idi Amin is simply replaced by another bloody butcher?

America’s blunder in not going on to Baghdad last February is painfully obvious to all the world. There is still time now to finish the job, but first there must be farsighted U.S. government leadership and support from the press.

The history of the 20th Century should have made clear that corrupt, violent dictatorship is the greatest threat to peace, stability and civilized values, both within and between nations. No region of the world more badly needs or wants peaceful democratic reform than the bloody Middle East. Such change in Iraq by the allies would have been a beacon of hope throughout that dangerous region. So far we have blown it.

VICTOR W. MASON

Torrance