U.S. Reeling From Consequences in Iraq

Deputy Defense Secretary Paul D. Wolfowitz admits that the administration underestimated enemy resilience, did not consider the consequences of purging Baath Party members from government jobs and had no understanding -- nor does it presently -- about the length of time or amount of dollars Operation Iraqi Freedom will ultimately cost (May 19). Incredibly, many citizens and the majority of U.N. members were able to foresee all of these problems.

This administration absolutely and positively knew about the existence of weapons of mass destruction. Incredibly, many citizens and most U.N. members did not find the evidence credible. Is this an instance where outsourcing all of these jobs would really benefit America?

Jaoana Dean

Los Angeles

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Re “3 Witnesses at Iraq Abuse Hearing Refused to Testify,” May 19: I find it incredibly ironic that the same soldiers who used torture tactics on usually innocent Iraqi detainees to get them to “talk” are now cowardly hiding behind our constitutional/military protections to avoid telling what they know.

I wonder if we “softened them up,” maybe they would be more willing to give us the information that we need to prosecute everyone responsible.

Laurie C. Fisher

San Diego

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Just read Spc. Jeremy Sivits got swift justice (May 20). That should really shake up Enron.

Christopher Knopf

Santa Monica

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Has anyone noticed the striking resemblance of Bush’s tactics in Iraq to Ariel Sharon’s tactics in the Palestinian territories? Is Bush imitating Sharon or is Sharon imitating Bush? The peacekeeping tactics of both of these world leaders leave something to be desired.

Bob Polkow

Huntington Beach

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Ronald Brownstein has missed the obvious (May 17). The actions of the 9/11 commission Democratic ideologues, in their venal efforts to damage President Bush, have created an unintended consequence that guarantees that preemption will be employed more frequently in the future. No future president will be willing to absorb terrorist attacks on U.S. soil before he is willing to use military force. The leftist tactic of “get shot at first, then ask questions later” is not a policy that will appeal to many Americans. The blame game that the commission is playing has eliminated that option.

John L. Wiggins

Los Flores