Kerry’s Remark Riles the GOP

Re “Kerry Accuses GOP of ‘Fake Patriotism’ in Flap,” April 5: Hurray for Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and his call for a U.S. regime change! It’s about time a leading Democrat said what many of us believe and didn’t back down when the predictable Republican attacks began. The Republicans and our current administration love dichotomies -- you are for us or against us -- and this one is certainly false. There are many reasons for opposing views. It is possible to dislike how we got into this war and still hope that our troops can swiftly finish what we’ve begun, end Saddam Hussein’s rule and get our forces home.

Stating an opposing view about how our country is being governed is the best example of the American way. It is not “disrespectful” or “vile,” as the Republicans began shouting immediately after Kerry’s call for a new president in the 2004 election. We need leadership that believes in diplomacy and has more respect for our friends and neighbors. We need leaders who make decisions that improve our security, not anger much of the world. Stating views against administration policy does not equal a lack of support for our troops in harm’s way.

Jonathan Trost

Huntington Beach

*

Kerry said his remark, “we need regime change in Washington,” was nothing serious and had nothing to do with the troops. But almost everybody, including a Democrat like me, will say it was very serious and had everything to do with troops because President Bush is the commander in chief. You just don’t say we need to change commander in chief at a time when our troops are fighting a war and in danger. In wartime, we are not Democrats or Republicans; we are all Americans and we should support our troops, including the commander in chief.

He also criticized Bush’s foreign policy as a failure, and I agree with the senator on this 100%, not for rupturing relationships with the U.S. allies but for going to the United Nations.

John Lee

Northridge

*

Throughout the last presidential race I cringed every time the Bush campaign pounced and outmaneuvered the sheepish Gore campaign. Witnessing the Democrats’ often cowardly reaction to intimidation by the Bush team since he took office, I had all but given up hope of a competitive presidential race in 2004. But after hearing Kerry’s comments about “regime change in the United States” and his willingness to fight back against his Republican critics, I am heartened by the possibility that there is a Democrat who is tough enough to beat Bush.

Tom McKibben

Carlsbad