What Is Bush Doing With His Talk of War?

Neil Gabler’s Sept. 29 Opinion piece, “Plotting a Story, Plotting a War,” successfully points out the difficulties the Bush administration has had in defining our war on terrorism. By failing to focus on the issues that are most immediate, President Bush has lost much of the focus, cohesiveness and resolve this nation enjoyed immediately after 9/11.

It is sad to think that our politicians are transforming themselves into those unimaginative entertainment executives we constantly lament when they foist another cliched movie upon us. The end result will be like a typical Hollywood production: a sequel no one really asked for, often tarnishing our memories of the original. I only hope that when dealing with the lives of our citizens, the administration knows how to leave the audience satisfied.

Michael Magdalena

Anaheim

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Even though America is steeped in uncertainty about terrorism and the economy, and the majority of our people favor action against Iraq, we are bound in limbo by powerful minority forces, to wit: meddling news media opposing an attack on Iraq yet scrambling for war scenarios they might cover; an indecisive, cowardly Congress with rogue members playing footsie with Saddam Hussein; posturing politicians throwing national security to the wind for political gain; unconscionable countries such as France, Germany and Russia posing as allies while turning their backs on us in favor of their selfish interests with Iraq; and, of course, that impotent fraud called the U.N. Meanwhile, we seem to be stalemated, waiting for that infamous other shoe--loaded with who knows what--to drop.

Daniel B. Jeffs

Apple Valley

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The Times and other newspapers have repeatedly stated that the majority of Americans support a war with Iraq. My own informal polls can’t find one person who supports a war with Iraq. I am adamantly opposed to a unilateral war with Iraq. Without the full backing of the U.N. and the international community, we should not go to war. That backing will only come if war is justified, which it is not.

Even this talk of war is extremely damaging. You have to realize the message this sends to other powerful nations: that unprovoked war is OK.

War with Iraq could irrevocably damage the status of the U.S. in the international community and could give rise to terrorism that would make the current climate seem like a cakewalk. We should try to bring to light the real reasons that this has suddenly become such a large issue. The cynic in me suspects that it is a purely political ploy by Bush and his administration to get a few more Republican senators elected this November.

Peter W. Nehl

Sherman Oaks

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Those who are quick to condemn Bush for his threat of war with Iraq, and who plead instead for inspections, should recognize that there would be no offer of inspections but for his threat.

Howard Lockwood

Lake View Terrace

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Is it the Iraqi oil, revenge, diversion from our troubled economy or the scandals surrounding corporate America that motivate Bush to beat his war drums?

The Vietnam War was a sham. The American people were deceived then and, in my opinion, are being deceived now. My wife and I have four sons, the youngest of whom is in the U.S. Air Force. Our children must not be sacrificed by a government incapable of telling its citizens the truth. The sad reality is, Hussein does not have a monopoly on manipulation and deceit.

Al Holman

Pasadena

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Does anyone seriously believe that the Arab world will tolerate a U.S.-imposed democratic Arab government to exist in its midst? Will Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria, Kuwait or Lebanon accept a free, democratic society that would corrupt their world order? Or will they see it as an infection on the order of smallpox or any other weapon of mass destruction?

Robert Sorteberg

West Covina