Boot’s views on Democrats and Iraq

I agree with Max Boot’s appraisal of the feckless position of the Democratic Party on Iraq (Opinion, Nov. 30).

This is no longer the party of Franklin Roosevelt, who led us with unwavering determination during World War II. President Truman, who took the country to Korea, would not recognize the current bunch. This ex-Democrat no longer trusts Democrats with the national security of the United States.

MANUEL H. RODRIGUEZ

Burbank

*

I am a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Like thousands of other American service members, I put my life on the line in pursuit of the administration’s Mideast fantasies, while Boot paid at the office. Boot needs to spend a year on the streets of Iraq, under fire with his life on the line. Then, and only then, will The Times stand a chance of publishing anything more substantial than the sophomoric love notes to the administration that make up Boot’s current stock in trade.

RUSSELL A. BURGOS

Thousand Oaks

*

May I remind Boot that in March 2003, Vice President Dick Cheney declared that we will “be greeted as liberators;” in May 2003, President Bush landed on an aircraft carrier and declared “mission accomplished;” and in July 2003, Bush taunted the insurgents with “bring ‘em on.”

The Bush administration never prepared the American people for this to be a long, hard war. Instead, it insisted that it would be quick, easy and with a minimum of casualties. The Democrats are patriots for finally pointing out that the administration lied us into this mess. “Stay the course” has become the lamest phrase ever uttered by a president.

LARRY MANN

Alameda, Calif.

*

Max: So what if President Clinton said Saddam had weapons of mass destruction. The salient point, which you conveniently ignore, is that Bush started a war without reason. Clinton did not.

THOMAS BLISS

Sherman Oaks