Is it the truth?

Re “Bush’s big ‘regret,’ ” editorial, Dec. 4

You make the mistake of giving credibility to any of President Bush’s replies -- especially this one, that the biggest regret of his presidency is the “intelligence failure in Iraq.” Past evidence indicates that his administration never based statements on truth or principle but on partisan effect or, perhaps in this case, self-interest.

It has been obvious since before the invasion of Iraq that Bush would not be deterred from his course, regardless of WMD or any other exigency. The “intelligence failure” regarding Iraq is yet another last-ditch attempt to push the blame elsewhere and lend some recovery to his legacy, the only thing he shows concern for now. To treat Bush’s statement as an indication of regret is disingenuous.

Jim Hoover

Huntington Beach