Secrecy is a poor way to run a democracy

Re “Bush Goes Public With Terror Study,” Sept. 27

President Bush said: “Somebody’s taken it upon themselves to leak classified information for political purposes.” The real problem is classifying information for political purposes in the first place. There is a need for classifying information, but people cannot make intelligent decisions about our government without full information, and controlling this information only obscures our ability to do so.

Holding detainees for almost three years without charges because presenting the case in court would reveal classified information is a sham.

RALPH MITCHELL

Monterey Park

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House Majority Leader John A Boehner (R-Ohio) deftly analyzes the National Intelligence Estimate as indicating that “America’s success against Al Qaeda has led to the enemy becoming more diffuse and independent.” Is that a good thing?

JOHN DE SIMIO

Los Angeles

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Re “Security Shaping Campaign,” Sept. 27

Who is attempting to politically sabotage whom before the November election? A leaked intelligence estimate found that America’s Iraq policies have spawned more terrorists than they have eliminated. A successful democracy requires an informed electorate. By just giving Americans the good news and hiding the bad news, the Bush administration undermines the bedrock of our country. Give Americans all the news and let the citizens give their elected representatives an up-or-down vote.

RICHARD DICKINSON

Glendale