Sept. 11 Unrelated to Pueblo Incident

Alan M. Dershowitz (“Make the Case Against Bin Laden,” Commentary, Oct. 4) wanted to hold the U.S. to the proof “beyond a reasonable doubt” test before it launched any military action against Osama bin Laden, the Al Qaeda network or countries that have supported it. Pathetically, Dershowitz attempted to question the way in which the U.S. presented evidence of Bin Laden’s guilt, evidence that Dershowitz believes would have to meet this standard. He compared this reluctance to share the evidence with the 1968 Pueblo incident. Bizarre! I’m surprised he didn’t bring up the 1964 Maddox mirage (Gulf of Tonkin incident) that helped propel the U.S. into the Vietnam conflict.

Sept. 11 had nothing to do with either event. The U.S. did not manufacture or concoct these incidents to justify an attack, and that’s what Dershowitz implies. Should we get the “privilege” of bringing the terrorists before a court of law, I’m sure we’ll be ready to present the case. I wonder if Dershowitz could bring himself to prosecute something like this, which takes guts.

David Corbin

Playa del Rey

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Dershowitz says that President Johnson misled the country when he said that the Pueblo was in international waters when attacked in 1968. I do not know what Johnson said because, at the time, I was a prisoner in North Korea after my ship, the Pueblo, was attacked without warning. As part of the intelligence operations group, I do know that the Pueblo followed its orders to stay at least 13 miles from the nearest point of land and was about 16 miles off the coast--international waters by any accepted definition--when attacked without provocation, killing one crewman. The North Koreans blew it, and so did Dershowitz on this one.

Peter M. Langenberg

South Pasadena