Failing to heed the message on the war

Re “Democrats give up Iraq deadline,” May 23

A Democratic Congress was elected in November with a clear message to get us out of Iraq. But by holding out for a veto-proof bill, by being afraid of appearing “unsupportive” of the troops and by trying to avoid being blamed for any catastrophe that may follow withdrawal, it has ceded its power to the president and enabled the war to continue indefinitely. Hereafter, I am going to be blaming the Democrats for the catastrophe that is.

ELEANOR M. COHEN

Vista, Calif.

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Throughout the years of the Bush administration, according to the Democrats, the president has been damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. Now the Democrats have managed to get themselves into the same quandary.

If their plans for a new direction in Iraq succeed (that is, timetables and withdrawal of troops), then the Democrats will be blamed for the resulting chaos in the Middle East and the Iranian domination of the region. On the other hand, if the Democrats’ plans disintegrate within Congress, then the Democrats will go down to defeat as a do-nothing Congress.

WILLIAM HILDRETH

Pacific Palisades

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I understand incremental politics. What I don’t understand is my party’s use of that philosophy as an excuse to capitulate to President Bush. Our president took a decidedly non-incremental move when he invaded Iraq based on false information. We don’t need baby steps to get us out of Iraq; we need giant leaps homeward. We Democrats need bold, consistent leadership to withhold all tax dollars until our president, the only person responsible for the safety of our troops, signs legislation with a clear program for withdrawal.

KELLY HAYES-RAITT

Santa Monica

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Wow. And just like that, I’m no longer a Democrat. Looks like we’ve replaced the rubber-stamp Republicans with the rubber-spine Democrats. Consider me an independent, looking to spend my vote on anyone willing to stand for the values of our founders.

PETER MAGILL

South Pasadena

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Re “Give them shelter,” editorial, May 20

Your editorial expresses appropriate concern for the 4 million Iraqis driven from their homes by the war. You urge the U.S. to take action because it’s “our war, after all.” No, it is not our war. It has always been President Bush’s war, and they are Bush’s refugees.

Instead of selling or giving away all those trailers left over from Hurricane Katrina, Bush should set them up on his Crawford, Texas, ranch and let Iraqis who believed in him live there. This would allow him to enjoy the same intimate relationship with them that Robert E. Lee has with Arlington National Cemetery.

ROGER D. CHITTUM

Los Angeles