Vietnam Redux

Re “Wishful Thinking,” editorial, Jan. 1: Even some Republicans share your call for the departure of arrogant neocon Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. But you appear to have learned nothing from the Vietnam War or from logic class when you contradictorily call for “more troops, more armor and an exit strategy.” It was a historic crime to attack Iraq, and the U.S. and United Kingdom have zero right to be there today, planning more than a dozen permanent military bases and control of Iraq’s oily economy. Heed former Sen. George Aiken, who advised on Vietnam: “Just declare victory and leave.”

Anthony Saidy

Los Angeles