The Iraq Weapons Issue Remains Open

If the U.S. has nothing to hide or fear regarding the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, then it is imperative for us to allow U.N. weapons inspectors to continue their work as soon as possible. This is not about punitive measures toward the United Nations or countries that did not support the war effort. It’s about the U.S. giving validity to its claim and eliminating the doubt that will arise, both inside and outside of our country, if we allow only a “private screening.” I hate that I feel this way, but I, for one American, will not buy the results of a U.S.-only-led inspections team.

William O. Gaynor

Newbury Park

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Re “Did Bush Deceive Us in His Rush to War?” Commentary, April 22: Robert Scheer is right on target, and his commentary resonated with exactly what I, and all my friends, have been discussing. I have no idea from where President Bush and his posse are getting their approval ratings, but as an educated Republican capitalist, even I will not vote for him again. Everyone I know and have spoken to was against this war from day one and questioned the motives behind it -- and now even more so.

By the way, I wonder why Bush does not look at the economy with the same resolve as he did this war. What’s up with the stimulus package? Perhaps we ought to stop looking for Osama bin Laden and start looking at the budget of most state and local governments. It is sad that so many Americans can be brainwashed by glorious rhetoric and patriotism to the point of being blinded to what is happening in their own backyards. We bomb homes in Iraq, but in California many can’t afford to shelter their families due to rising real estate costs. What is the difference? I plan to vote for whoever runs against him.

Kay Malone

Diamond Bar

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I agree with Scheer’s contention that Bush deceived the American public in his rush to war, not to mention the awarding of reconstruction contracts. But what is even more glaringly absent than weapons of mass destruction in Iraq is even a single mention by Scheer that the Iraqi people might be far better off because of the war.

Also ignored is that Syria might be pressured to reduce support of terrorists, or that an Israeli-Palestinian settlement might be accelerated, not to mention the hypocrisy of France and Russia’s sudden reversal, after the war, concerning sanctions. Aren’t these omissions just another form of deception?

Ed Silverstein

Santa Monica

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Congratulations to Scheer for reminding us why Bush rushed to war. Will Rogers said the greatest gift we Americans give our politicians is a short memory.

James Whitmore

Malibu

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So we are now expected to believe that the WMD were destroyed just days prior to our invasion of Iraq? How convenient. If this were true, why did not Saddam Hussein or other Iraqi officials bring this to our attention to avert the invasion? How did our omnipresent spy satellites miss the explosions that surely would have been caused by such weapons being destroyed? Why is there no radioactive residue of these explosions, only radioactive residue from the uranium weapons used by us?

Charles Prendergast

Los Angeles

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Is America safer now than before 9/11? If so, where is Bin Laden? Where is Hussein? And where are the dreaded weapons of mass destruction?

Dorothy J. Carter

Los Angeles

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Recent news from Iraq underscores the “devil you know is better than the devil you don’t” principle. The emergence of another Islamic republic in the Middle East appears more and more likely as the days go by. While it pains me to say it, even Hussein’s secular government, corrupt and brutal as it was, would be at least more rational than a parochially bound fundamentalist regime for which even suicidal violence is demonstrably preferable against its perceived “infidel” enemies. We, the “liberators” of Iraq, must be very vigilant to guard against that.

Floyd Sherman

Encino

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Now that it took three weeks to get Hussein out of Iraq, how long do you think it will take to get Halliburton out?

David Hittelman

Marina del Rey