One Death in Iraq Speaks for All
Re “It’s Official: My Brother Died in Vain,” Commentary, Jan. 14: Dante Zappala’s brother did not totally die in vain. Were it not for his death, this great article expressing what so many Americans should be feeling about the morass in Iraq might not have been written.
Many a night I waken with a shudder in the wee hours, my soul so heavy with the acts being done in my name in this inglorious war with no purpose. Thank you, Mr. Zappala, for expressing thoughts I feel deeply but seldom hear expressed by my fellow Americans.
Ann Marshall
Palm Desert
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Yes, tragically, Zappala’s brother died in vain. Now that the air is out of all hyperbolic phony fulminations about spreading “democracy” and “liberty,” after the mountains of words, empty patriotic slogans, lies and misinformation about weapons of mass destruction and Saddam Hussein’s connection to Osama bin Laden and 9/11, is there a single journalist, politician, administration official -- anyone at all -- who can explain to the Zappalas and all the other families of those men and women who have died in Iraq, as well as the rest of Americans, why we went there?
Ronald Rubin
Topanga
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I have not read a clearer, more moving and brave commentary than Zappala’s thoughts about his brother’s meaningless death in Iraq. We can read the CIA report that acknowledges that the fallout from Iraq has made us more unsafe.
We can cynically chuckle over the Jan. 14 Danziger cartoon showing a totally out-of-touch, plainly juvenile President Bush. But when one reads of the waste of this war, the deceptions and hypocrisy and its effect on one son, one wife, one family, I become enraged.
I too have hope. Dante Zappala has such a courageous voice, and I have a voice and we have a voice. It is our responsibility to make our voices heard.
Judith Hansen
Angelino Heights
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The poignancy and truth of this article rings loud and clear. Rather than passive interest in the story about the final admission of no WMDs in Iraq, I felt tremendous frustration and wondered why there was no massive protest, an uproar of outrage and disgust, and demands to make the vital changes needed to prevent any further bloodshed.
Zappala’s article carries a powerful message. It’s up to all of us; we are all accountable for the consequences of this war.
Theresa Destito
Pasadena
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I can relate with much sympathy for the loss of Zappala’s brother in Iraq. My generation also had to police other parts of the world in the 1950 Korean War. About 50,000 American military, including my dear boyhood friend, died. It has been over 50 years, and I still miss Joe.
Then, the U.S. settled for no victory, ending up at the 38th parallel. I can only hope we can accomplish a much better victory for the sake of our fighting men and women today in Iraq.
Tony D’Amico
La Verne
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Though I agree with Zappala that his brother did indeed die in vain, I strongly disagree with his conclusion that we are all accountable. No, we are not! Those accountable are the people who supported Bush’s lies and mistakes, be it by working for him, be it through their vote.
Margret Neldner
Irvine