Who’s responsible for Iraq?

Re “Hopes for Iraq Pullback Fading,” May 31

More obvious with every passing headline is the realization that our last hope will depend on a U.S. leader with international credibility who can lead an international team to correct the wrongs of the Bush administration. On international relations, the environment and long-term finance, we are facing critical consequences because of unilateral, short-term and religious-based actions implemented in the last five years. Because of the Bush administration and the wagging tail of Congress, the U.S. is sinking in despair over Iraq as the People’s Republic of China and Russia rise to historic prominence.

If Republicans brag of Reagan’s win in the Cold War (largely the result of Russia’s disaster in Afghanistan), Republicans will understand the severity of the U.S. demise under the Bush administration.

RICHARD HAVENICK

San Pedro

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Rahm Emanuel’s analysis of where the responsibility lies for the disastrous results of the U.S. invasion of Iraq (Opinion, May 29) is the most cogent yet presented. Every wrong turn and criticism are arrogantly dismissed with “stay the course.” In other words, we’ll just keep on doing what we’re doing no matter how long it takes. If Congress is not aware of what is happening to our system of checks and balances and our constitutional rights, it is up to the people to jolt it into action. The tool at their disposal is the November election.

MARION BRUNDAGE

Chula Vista

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Emanuel doesn’t go far enough. In a democracy, government derives its powers from the consent of the people. Much as we’d like to pass the buck, the Iraq war isn’t the president’s, defense secretary’s or Congress’ war. This unnecessary war is our war, and it is up to us to put a stop to it and show the world what democracy is all about.

RICARDO NICOL

San Clemente