Praise for Pullout

Re “Philippines Completes Iraq Pullout,” July 20: I congratulate Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for her courageous decision to take the necessary action to spare the life of Angelo de la Cruz.

If the Iraq war was truly a legitimate part of the war on terror, as President Bush claims, my feelings would be just the opposite. However, no life should be sacrificed needlessly in this ill-begotten crusade for oil.

Why should a poor father of eight lose his life so that Bush can maintain his charade of a coalition?

I regret that John Kerry and John Edwards apparently lack the willingness to commit to an immediate withdrawal of our treasured youth from Iraq as part of their platform.

Bob Constantine

Placentia