Shell shock

Re “Slow, steady -- and under siege,” May 11

The desert tortoise is sacrificing its living space for our armed forces so that they may better prepare for the hazards and dangers they face overseas.

One might reasonably ask why so few Republican members of Congress, let alone the president or vice president, have made a similar contribution. It is a sad state of affairs when the lowly desert tortoise contributes more to our armed forces than the Bush administration and Congress.

F.E. Rust

Simi Valley