Resolution on Iraq sends mixed signals

Re “The GOP’s Iraq gap,” editorial, June 18

By not setting a date to withdraw from Iraq, Congress may think that it is sending the insurgents a message, but it is also sending a less desirable message to the Iraqi government: There is no urgency to unite and defeat the insurgency politically or militarily because U.S. forces and funding will stay indefinitely to protect you. If the Iraqis don’t have the will to defeat the insurgents and establish a democratic society, nothing we do, no matter how long we stay, will matter. It won’t turn out the way President Bush hopes it will.

We should not forget that we didn’t lose in Vietnam, the South Vietnamese did. If we don’t remember that lesson, Iraq will be a long, costly and ultimately futile misadventure of the worst kind.

THOMAS L. DIFLOURE

Marina del Rey

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Re “In an Election Salvo, House Backs Iraq War,” June 17

What’s more insulting than the Bush league trying to convince us that it’s protecting us with the war in Iraq is Congress putting its official stamp of approval on this monumental blunder. This insult is supposed to earn my vote? I’ve ratified my own resolution to never vote for any of the Democrats who crossed the line to bless that mess.

Why are they endorsing Bush now? Is he running for a third term?

REBECCA ESENSTEN

Los Angeles

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The events of last week have highlighted the difference between Republicans and Democrats. We have a president who understands that we are in a war that was started long ago and that the stakes are enormous. The Democrats have no stomach for such endeavors and have staked their position on the United States losing. If things go well for the U.S., it’s bad news for the Democrats.

MARK SHRADER

Palm Desert