Bush Leads by Lagging on Climate Change Pact

Re “Nations Adopt Climate Pact Without U.S.,” July 24: Maybe there is a silver lining to the black cloud of the Bush administration’s attitude on the Kyoto Protocol. It appears that the rest of the world may have united not in spite of but because of the United States’ refusal to endorse this attempt to address the very real problem of global warming in a constructive way. Let’s hope that there is a groundswell of informed opinion in this country that can force us to revisit this incredible mistake we have made. And let’s hope that the rest of the world continues on the path of placing long-term global concerns over short-term regional ones.

Lisa Fay

Pasadena

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Re “Bush Seals Nonglobal Image, but With Poise,” news analysis, July 23: By your analysis, President Bush’s “nonglobal image” is sealed solely by his rejection of the Kyoto Protocol and support for a missile defense system. Never mind that Bush realizes Kyoto would hobble our economy, that no country has ever ratified it, or that a president’s first responsibility is to safeguard his country from attack.

Among other things, he supports NATO, U.S. forces in Kosovo, the defense of Taiwan and greater hemispheric integration and is an ardent advocate for free trade. Are any of these “nonglobal” positions? If President Bush is to be labeled an “America firster,” then I heartily second his nomination.

Ken Artingstall

Glendale

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There was a time when the U.S. led the world in advancing the great international agreements of this century. With the election of Bush, our country is taking giant steps backward in the progress of mankind. He is looking more Neanderthal every day on every issue.

Sanford DuRoff

Tarzana