Highlighting a Baptism, Low-Lighting ‘Oil for Food’
If Islamic militants ever needed proof that the Bush administration’s motive for war has more to do with eschatology than democracy, they need look no further than the photograph appearing on the front page of The Times (April 29), in which Christian baptism and the blood of battle are symbolically fused into one powerful image. That soldiers may have reason to question and reaffirm their faith in a perilous situation where their fate hangs in the balance is certainly understandable -- and we ought not begrudge them their right to do so. But we can question the wisdom of such a “public profession of their religious belief,” especially in the charged setting of Fallouja.
For although it has long been clear that George W. Bush views the so-called war on terrorism as a crusade against Muslim infidels (and accordingly bases his policy decisions on the solicitations he receives from his God), the official government ideology underpinning the invasion has been a discourse of liberation and democracy. The public baptism of U.S. military personnel runs contrary to one central tenet of a pluralist and tolerant liberal democracy -- the idea that religious faith is a matter of private conscience -- and the union of religiosity and military force can only provide fodder for Islamic fundamentalists who allege that the U.S. war on Iraq is a holy confrontation.
Aaron Thomas
Santa Monica
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We’ve known all along that it’s a crusade. But that The Times is on the PR payroll is news -- at least to me.
Michael Conte
West Hollywood
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Re “The U.N. Has to Come Clean,” editorial, April 28: Talk about a softball editorial. The Democrats and the liberal media will do everything to soft-pedal this scandal. No mention in your editorial of the names of all the thieves and international thugs at the United Nations who should be arrested and jailed. Does the name of Secretary-General Kofi Annan come to mind?
You go out of your way to explain that the “oil for food” program was good for the average citizen of Iraq. If Republican conservatives were involved, you would be calling for all of them to be hanged in the town square. The time has come for the U.N. to be disbanded once and for all. But The Times does not have the courage or integrity to report the same. Shame, shame.
Steve Offield
Arcadia
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I was a young boy during World War II. I remember the very strong sense of unity and common purpose. I now watch with nausea the actions of Democratic politicians and their allies, the major media. They are willing to destroy the morale of the troops, dissolve the will of the citizenry to persevere and even to sabotage the war effort.
All this is being done in a lust to regain power.
I think Jonathan Swift said, “You can always tell a great man. All the little men are in league against him.” George W. Bush, whatever his background, has risen to greatness.
Sam Woods
Los Angeles
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Every day we hear the pros and cons of the merits of this war. We hear the ever-changing justifications from the administration and the constant arguments over building peace and democracy. Whether or not we believe them, we need to ask one question. Just one. If automobiles ran on some other fuel -- say, hydrogen, electricity or corn oil -- does anyone seriously think we would be fighting in Iraq today?
Brooks W. Wilson
Rancho Cucamonga