Taking another swing at the ‘Curveball’ story

Re “How U.S. Fell Under the Spell of ‘Curveball,’ ” Nov. 20

I was appalled to read about the state of affairs at our intelligence agencies. To buy into an ex-convict taxicab driver’s account about Iraq’s biological weapons and using his uncorroborated theory to drag a nation into an unnecessary war is unfathomable. I only wish they conducted their “exhaustive investigation” not postwar but prewar.

VEENA MATHEW

Corona

*

Some call it “whipping a dead horse,” or “shooting yourself in the foot,” or “a self-fulfilling prophecy.” Your “Curveball” article is all of the above.

The “Curveball” story was interesting a couple of years ago, but certainly failed to tell the whole truth. Our action in Iraq was prompted by more than just “Curveball” intelligence. We all know that. But that too is just “old news.”

NORMAN SHUBERT

Westlake Village

*

Re your secondary headline on the “Curveball” story: “The Iraqi informant’s German handlers say they had told U.S. officials that his information was ‘not proven,’ and were shocked when President Bush and Colin L. Powell used it in key prewar speeches.” White House translation: We all had the same intelligence.

JEAN-PIERRE SWENNEN

Laguna Niguel

*

Reading the “Curveball” article, one can’t help being struck by three factors:

The irony that the musings of a deranged Iraqi emigrant seeking a German visa were a major consideration for going to war. The totality of governing incompetence displayed by the White House, the intelligence agencies and Congress. And most significant, the reality that the war was “going to happen regardless of what ‘Curve Ball’ said or didn’t say.”

DONALD KENNEDY

Garden Grove