Martinez on Iraq: point, counterpoint

Al MARTINEZ’S columns are often brilliant, but the one titled “A Comedy of Errors Is Taking a Tragic Toll” [April 16] was eloquent and moving, a mix of poetry and pain. As a profound and exquisitely sad summation of the mess the Bush administration has entangled us in with Iraq, I have yet to see its equal. In a few words he got it so right: How bereft many of us feel seeing our once-proud country in a situation so inherently wrong.

Jean Kilmurray

Ojai

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I found Al Martinez’s column extremely disturbing. Martinez was highly critical of President Bush, and I kept wondering what Martinez would do at this time. I suppose he would immediately withdraw all forces from Iraq and Afghanistan and let the chips fall where they may.

Hmmm. I was wondering how Martinez would react if the Islamic terrorists, emboldened by an American pullout and unencumbered by a tangible American presence in the Middle East, began to reorganize and plan more terror attacks against us. I was wondering how he would react if the Islamic terrorists actually launched more attacks in the wake of our retreat. I was wondering how Martinez would react if a missile from Islamic terrorists slammed into the L.A. Times building.

Joshua Siskin

Sherman Oaks