World Attention Is Fixed on Jan. 30 Iraqi Election

I suggest that all who claim the deaths in Iraq were in vain (letters, Jan. 18), read “For Voting U.S. Iraqis, It’s a Long Haul in 2 Ways” (Jan. 18), regarding this historic moment when the citizens of Iraq will actually get the opportunity to vote in a free election. Then tell these same citizens that they just weren’t worth it.

J.A. Detamore

Los Angeles

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What a farce! If these expatriate Iraqis vote in this country, they should be made to go home and help put their country back together again. If not, they should not be allowed to vote.

These men and women didn’t even lift a finger to help overthrow Saddam Hussein, and our troops are still being killed, and they want some say in their government. No way!

Thomas Young

Maureen Tobin

Culver City

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Because of Sunni protests, nobody in Iraq will support the new electorate. There will be a civil war. If America withdraws, a new Hussein comes to power. If America stays in, we commit more money and troop lives to a losing effort. There will have to be a draft. There is no logical way that President Bush can win this war.

Why doesn’t the American public know this? More important, why isn’t the Democratic National Committee pointing it out?

Aslum Khan

Playa Vista

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So the people of Iraq are expecting the United States to help provide fair elections and ensure that the votes are counted? Boy, that’s a good one. The elections should be held on April 1.

Pete Xander

Lake Arrowhead