Twisted logic in Gelernter’s war analogy

Re “A history lesson,” Opinion, Oct. 21

Once again we are treated to David Gelernter’s twisted logic. He tries to justify the “bait-and-switch” tactic of the Bush administration on the Iraq war by pointing out how other U.S. wars changed goals midstream. The flaw in his analogy is that, with the exception of Vietnam, those wars did not start with a pack of lies (and it is interesting to note that he doesn’t mention Vietnam).

The consistent rationale offered by those who support the war is that, no matter how many lies were told at the beginning, the new goal of democratizing the Middle East justifies the war.

LOU EINUNG

Palm Desert

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The apologists for the Bush Iraq war will do anything to change the subject, and Gelernter is no exception. In this case, Gelernter joined Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in ignoring the mistakes, miscalculations and false expectations associated with the disastrous Iraq war. When confronted with these false expectations, including Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s prediction that the Iraq war would be over in six months, Rice ignored this recent history and lectured senators, comparing Iraq to World War II.

Let’s face it, no amount of personal attacks on me or those who seek an exit strategy in Iraq will undo the 17,000 dead and wounded thus far. And no amount of name-calling can erase the truth -- the Iraq war was a gross miscalculation that neither the Bush administration nor Gelernter seems willing to truthfully address.

Fortunately, the American people see through this stubborn support of a failed policy with ever-changing rationales and missions.

If Gelernter were really interested in history, he wouldn’t allow the administration to get away with rewriting it.

SEN. BARBARA BOXER

D-California

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Re “Defiant Hussein, Co-Defendants Plead Not Guilty, Win Trial Delay,”

Oct. 20

If the Iraqis wanted a dramatic, showcase trial -- their own “trial of the century” -- they should be taking lessons from Israel’s trial of Adolf Eichmann and trying Saddam Hussein solo. The impact is diluted when the accused has company in the dock.

STEPHANY YABLOW

North Hollywood