An Arrogant President, a Dangerous Protector

Re “He’s Humble in a Way That Only Godzilla Could Be,” Commentary, Dec. 12: Arianna Huffington’s list of President Bush’s un-humble acts omits the most arrogant and dangerous behavior of all: his inexorable march to war with Iraq. Even before his people had read one word of Iraq’s 12,000-page report, and notwithstanding Iraq’s full cooperation with the weapons inspectors, Bush ramped up his accusatory rhetoric.

That, combined with his steady buildup of troops and weapons in the Persian Gulf over the last several months, reveals a predetermined decision by Bush to attack Iraq. CIA Director George Tenet announced that Saddam Hussein is not an imminent threat to us but, if attacked, would become one. Bush has chosen to endanger our troops and national security by starting a war in Iraq, whether the U.N. Security Council agrees or not. What could be more arrogant?

Marjorie Cohn

San Diego

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“Nukes Part of Terror Policy” (Dec. 11) reveals a fearsome new policy, one that threatens the health and safety of Americans. The Bush administration now seeks to preemptively use nuclear weapons against nonnuclear countries in an effort to destroy supposed caches of chemical and biological weapons.

When the world’s lone superpower announces it will use nuclear weapons in a first strike against smaller nations, you can expect growing resentment among other nations. World opinion is indeed growing increasingly critical of America. The Pew Research Center interview of 38,000 people earlier this month verified the fact.

By building new “usable” nukes, this administration is actually increasing the chance that these incredibly destructive weapons will some day be used, either by us or by other nations that feel they have to get their own weapons of mass destruction to counter our threat. In the name of countering the proliferation of these weapons we are encouraging their spread. This and the continuing danger that the United States will adopt a principle of preemptive war will, as former President Jimmy Carter said in accepting his Nobel Peace Prize on Dec. 10, “set an example that can have catastrophic consequences.”

Feliz Aguilar MD

President, Physicians

for Social Responsibility

Los Angeles

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President Bush appears very eager to test out the next generation of nuclear weapons. It looks like Iraqis better watch their step. Maybe they should overthrow Hussein because Bush will kill them otherwise. Sounds like a major terrorist threat against the Iraqi people to me.

What do you do when the world’s most powerful country becomes the world’s most powerful terrorist empire?

Charles Wilken

Northridge