Bush’s War Slowdown Is Contemptible Politics

Re “Major Assaults on Hold Until After U.S. Vote,” Oct. 11: I am astonished! Military operations in Iraq attuned to our presidential election? The Times’ story reported that large offensives in Iraq would be curtailed until after the U.S. elections. Does that mean that our young men and women, placed in harm’s way by this administration, are just pawns for the president and his minions to toy with as they ask for four more years of the same ineptitude? This “compassionate” administration has shown itself to be just the opposite. It is conniving, controlling and contemptible!

Sherri Lipman

Fullerton

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The White House, as reported by The Times, is openly planning to manage the war in Iraq so as to maximize President Bush’s reelection chances. In other words, the administration is planning a reverse “wag the dog.” What is important to this White House? Finish the job? Lower priority.

Minimize U.S. and Iraqi casualties? Lower priority. Bring the troops home? Not even on the radar screen. Does the Bush White House think that Americans are such saps that we won’t notice, or won’t care about, this blatant attempt to manipulate public opinion at the expense of basic American values? God help us if it is right.

A final thought: If this policy was put into effect at the direction of the president, isn’t that an impeachable offense?

Donald E. Warner

Los Angeles

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So Crusader George is calling a halt to being aggressive in the Iraq war until after the election in order to lessen casualties and thereby avoid media reports that may be unfavorable. This is the most blatant conflict of interests imaginable.

Joe LaRosa

Long Beach

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We cannot win the war in Iraq without a global effort involving a strong coalition of allies. Bush does not know how to build that kind of coalition. Now he derides John Kerry over his use of the term “global test.” America needs the rest of the world whether we like it or not. The president can’t have it both ways. He can’t pander to our isolationist tendencies while engaging us in an effort to build democracy overseas.

Robin Kissel

Laguna Hills