Heroes and Villains of the War in Iraq

I think we can all agree with John Balzar (Commentary, April 2) that pulling back now and making Saddam Hussein “the towering hero of Arabs” would not leave the world better off. But has Balzar considered what it portends for the world if President Bush emerges as a hero? No doubt the administration already has other nations in its sights. Perpetual war, anyone?

At least Balzar acknowledges that it’s all about oil. The sooner the rest of us accept that, the sooner we can cut through the hypocrisy about fighting for Iraqi freedom.

Bob Carlson

Garden Grove

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Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al Faisal (April 2) advises Hussein to sacrifice himself for the sake of his people by resigning. Wouldn’t it be ironic and wonderful if Hussein accepts on condition that the autocratic royal dynasty of Saudi Arabia, the emir of Kuwait and the rest of the kings and emirs of the neighboring Arab countries do the same? Who knows? If Hussein pulls this through, he will save President Bush a lot of embarrassment, and he might be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Reno S. Zack

San Dimas

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Three-fourths of the way into John Daniszewski’s story (“The Good Life Gives Way to Fear,” April 2), we learn that the family of Mohsen Ali and Jinan Abdel Hamid has been interviewed through an “official interpreter.” Given the Iraqi government’s record on torturing dissident voices and executing civilians who stray from blind support of the regime, I question how forthright this family could have been.

Here’s an idea: Have Daniszewski interview the family a month or so after the fall of Baghdad. Perhaps its views of the war and America will change or evolve without the presence of an official interpreter.

Mike Yorkey

Encinitas

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Re “Rumsfield Support Is in High Places,” April 2: Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfield, in response to war strategy critics, is quoted as saying, “We all agreed that [Franks] should develop a plan that would be more appropriate.” And now, “The war is Gen. Franks’ to fight.” Is Rumsfield an ethical, stand-up guy of honor and moral courage or what!

Joyce Barkeloo

Hesperia

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I am outraged by Marty Ingels’ commentary (April 2). Who elected America to police the world? Judging from the massive antiwar demonstrations in every corner of the globe, it was an election very similar to the one that ushered in the current administration.

How dare Ingels take pot shots at Michael Moore for holding a mirror up to our violent American gun culture that leaves grieving families to bury their dreams along with their children. To question whether “Sean Penn, George Clooney, Susan Sarandon and Mike Farrell” have any principles they would “go to the mat” fighting for, I would pose these questions to Ingels: What about the sanctity of every human life? How about respecting the rights of citizens to determine what regime runs their country? Why not proceed with proof of chemical weapons before we destroy a country with our bombs and incur the wrath of the world?

Nonie Newton-Breen

Calabasas Hills

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I am a middle-aged mother of two who has never responded to anything I’ve read in the papers or seen on the evening news, but I must respond to Ingels’ comments. Marty, I always thought you were a little goofy, but not anymore. I believe you spoke to the hearts of the majority of us who quietly go about our business every day, hoping that this war will come to an end soon.

Carol Austin

Montrose

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The April 1 Associated Press photograph by Jean Marc Bouju was shocking. The world’s greatest military power cannot bow to the needs of a child. Depriving this father with a hood over his head from looking into his son’s eyes to comfort him is sadistic. How will this father explain to his son that this was an act of liberation? Photojournalism has turned out to be one of the true recorders of the “Invasion of Iraq.” TV, one of the worst.

Jill Yorke

Santa Monica

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Does the Bush administration expect us to believe that, in a “free election” in postwar Iraq, we would support a freely elected radical fundamentalist Islamic government dedicated to jihad against the West and Israel? The U.S. doesn’t exactly hold the moral high ground when it comes to “free elections.”

Pete Xander

Lake Arrowhead