Peacekeeping Forces

If Oliver North is right (Column Right, Dec. 16), and U.S. forces should be kept out of peacekeeping situations, then what’s the point of spending $260 billion a year on the military? One of the justifications for maintaining a strong military is that the “new world order” requires us to be prepared to keep regional conflicts from spreading. It also requires us to help restore justice to tormented countries.

If North is correct that our armed forces are unprepared for these roles, then maybe it’s time to review the benefits taxpayers are getting from this huge expenditure.

BRADLEY JAMES

Rancho Mirage

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Hmm. North directs Congress to enact laws restricting the executive branch from carrying out its foreign policy objectives. Does this mean that he now believes the White House should actually obey such laws too?

LOU BARTLETT

Monrovia

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So North wants to end our military involvement with a foreign country (Bosnia). Maybe Congress could pass a Boland Amendment to end its funding and Ollie can pray that there isn’t a modern equivalent of him running around the White House trying to circumvent it!

KIM WORTH

Venice