No peace from war

Re “Iraq violence is up since troop boost,” June 14

Reading in The Times that violence in Iraq has increased since the “surge” began confirms my expectations. When is this administration of war-loving draft dodgers going to figure out that making war does not bring peace?

Most of us learned this during the Vietnam War, at least those of us who were paying attention. I guess President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Karl Rove cut that class.

PAUL MOSER

Studio City

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The Pentagon reported to Congress last week that there has been an increase in casualties of both U.S. soldiers and Iraqi civilians in the past three months in Iraq. In January, House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) said he would give the troop surge 60 to 90 days to prove that it could make a difference. That period has long passed, and it should be clear to anyone that the additional troops are not going to turn the situation around.

Why should the American people believe that, once again, we should give it another few months, another six months, to see if this time things miraculously change? As the generals and others have stated time and again, there is no military solution to the problems in Iraq. Bush is just trying to run out the clock and pass off this failed war to his successor. The inevitable conclusion should be that it’s time now for our troops to come home.

GABRIEL MORRIS

Portland, Ore.

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Re “Iraq on edge after attack on shrine,” June 14

The headline reporting that Iraq is on edge over the latest bombing of the Shiite shrine in Samarra unintentionally provoked a moment of bitter humor over my breakfast table. Sadly, Iraq went over the edge into civil war at least two years ago. The free fall of Iraq’s society continues.

MARTIN KASINDORF

Venice