Seeking the Truth on Devastating Weapons

Re “What if the Hunt for ‘Evildoers’ Aimed at Us?” Commentary, Dec. 10: Robert Scheer is perfect evidence that many on the left -- following the lead of Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter -- have become hysterical, dictator-coddling “America Lasters.” With regard to weapons of mass destruction, Scheer says that Iraq “is now arguably the most open society in the world.” The U.S., by contrast, is the source of “devilish inventions” of mass destruction. That’s right: Iraq: open society; America: devilish.

The only thing sadder than former idealists reduced to advocating for the world’s most vicious thugs would be if any of us listened to anything they had to say.

Steven Zak

Sunland

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Once again Scheer has identified the major source of the world’s weapons of mass destruction -- the United States. Our country’s history of exporting conventional and nuclear arms, fissile material, land mines and God knows what else, along with the technology needed by others to produce these devilish materials, screams out “hypocrisy” to all who have not yet been made deaf by the Bush administration’s continued cries for war.

William O. Straub

Pasadena

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In William Arkin’s telling Dec. 8 opinion piece, “ ‘Sci-Fi’ Weapons Going to War,” after describing more exotic means to advance death and untold suffering, he states: “Most promising is a new incendiary device that generates a firestorm so intense it cannot be quenched with water.” Well, that is promising.

Thank God the Bush administration’s stated aversion to weapons of mass destruction isn’t standing in the way of the further annihilation of our species and its environs when there’s another dollar (or billion) to be made. It’s a good thing that it’s so profitable to destroy life, as we’ve pretty much given up on preserving it.

One wonders, though, how President Bush and his dangerous and extravagant cronies intend on putting out the fires they ignite when they ultimately bear down on themselves. Water, already in short supply thanks to “nonexistent” global warming, is apparently useless, and throwing money at the conflagration will only stoke it. Much like throwing money at weapons of mass destruction only furthers our decline while fanning the flames of hatred.

Craig N. Simmons

Granada Hills

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Re “Nukes Part of Terror Policy,” Dec. 11: Is Bush insane? Are we? Bush has essentially declared war with Iraq and is just looking for a reason to launch. Now he wants to include nuclear weapons in a preemptive strike. Is Bush returning us to the 1950s, when we ducked under school desks, tested air raid sirens and built bomb shelters in our backyards? We have truly met the enemy, and it is us. Today I am ashamed to be an American.

Suzanne Brugman

Whittier