Rarely Told; Hard to Find

Does The Times not care whether America wins this war? Caleb Tinbergen’s “The Rarely Told Story of WWII,” buried in the Oct. 29 Calendar Counterpunch section, should have been on the front page of the front section, instead of the maudlin story about an Afghan mother killed by U.S. bombing. America’s ruthlessness in World War II, as well as what provoked us to it, should be broadcast globally, particularly to our enemies. It will help educate a few squeamish Americans too.

If we are to defeat terrorists, we must be steadfast in unleashing hell against them. They rejoice in their killing of American mothers and children and use innocent victims of their own for shields and PR against us. Killing is all that stops them and all that they respect. Support our military action, reinforce it with history and bury your sentimental victim stories until Osama bin Laden and his inner circle have been destroyed.

PATRICIA CASEY

Fallbrook

*

Tinbergen’s essay was one of the most politically insightful articles I’ve ever read in The Times. I don’t know what is more distressing: That it was tucked away on Page 6 of Calendar or that it was written by a reader.

Still, it is a refreshing change from the cliched, politically correct drone of the regular editorial and news staff in the more prominent A Section.

MICHAEL WALDEN

Los Angeles

*

Tinbergen claims that the U.S. bombing of German civilians in World War II “worked like a charm” in helping the Allies defeat Germany. Actually, there is much controversy about the bombing’s effects, with some military experts concluding that it was counterproductive because it stiffened German morale and opposition.

THOMAS GREENING

Los Angeles