Sen. Barbara Boxer’s views on the war in Afghanistan; ballot initiatives regarding circumcision; Sara Palin’s bus tour

Sen. Boxer’s vision

Re “It’s time to get out,” Opinion, May 27

It appears that Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) is confused. We went to war against the Taliban, which was the actual government of Afghanistan, not Al Qaeda. The Taliban allowed Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden to exist within its borders. So while we may have one of those groups under control, we still need to defeat the Taliban.

The Taliban is one of the most oppressive and hateful governments that has ever existed. It is violently anti-West, misogynistic and homophobic, and it makes money from its international drug trade. Until the Taliban is completely wiped out, it is still dangerous.

It’s embarrassing to have a U.S. senator express little understanding of why we went to Afghanistan and why the war is not yet over.

Rene Sanz

Los Angeles

I am glad to see Boxer calling for an exit from Afghanistan. But regardless of the status of Bin Laden’s pulse, we should have pulled out a long time ago. Such an enormous presence there has always been counterproductive. Attempting to “rebuild” that country has always been a fool’s errand.

Boxer seems to understand this, but she still hedges her bets by suggesting we keep “only” 25,000 troops there to “finish the job.” That’s a political slogan, not a goal. The job is as finished as it’s ever going to be.

Vincent Basehart

Los Angeles

Boxer states that now is the time to reduce our troop presence in Afghanistan and to reduce the burden on taxpayers.

The fact is, if we do not leave, we will have helped to fulfill Bin Laden’s plan to defeat the United States by bleeding it financially and causing economic ruin to our country.

Albert Glick

West Covina

When health and religion collide

Re “Circumcision decisions,” Editorial, May 28

If any of the claims on the potential health benefits of circumcision carried weight, then we would see these health benefits gained by the U.S. and other circumcision-happy cultures. Much of Western Europe, Latin America and Asia no longer practices this barbaric tradition.

If it prevents diseases, then why do people still get HIV? The arguments for circumcision are incredibly vague, and if the religions that want to mutilate their sons insist on continuing this practice, let them go to the Middle East to have the operation done. Circumcision is as necessary as getting a tattoo.

Joe Davies

Covina

If circumcision is considered mutilation, perhaps we should also consider the hardware that is applied to various parts of the anatomy in addition to earlobes. I would consider inserting nails, pins or rings into eyelids, eyebrows, noses, tongues, lips, nipples, belly buttons and genitalia more mutilating.

Then we have to consider the ugly tattoos, particularly the large ones that cover portions of the largest organ of our body, as mutilating the skin. If that is considered art by some people, it belongs on an easel, then framed and hanging on a wall, or covering the side of a barn or wall as graffiti, but not on the body.

Harry Shragg

Reseda

Working with the ICC works

Re “Contempt of court,” Opinion, May 26

Marine Lt. Col. Butch Bracknell correctly argues that joining the International Criminal Court is in the best interests of the U.S. diplomatically. In many parts of the world, the ICC is seen as the only real opportunity for justice to overcome impunity for national and political leaders who are complicit in atrocities, usually against their own citizens.

U.S. support for the ICC would help diplomatically, and it would also align the U.S. with our NATO allies on the side of the rule of law applied equally to national or political leaders for atrocity crimes.

It is another resource for international justice, stronger than sanctions but not as costly as the use of military force.

The U.S. must find ways to work more fully with the ICC.

Sean Butler

Los Angeles

The writer is treasurer of the International Criminal Court Alliance.

“Before the court asserts jurisdiction over a citizen, the ICC prosecutor must determine and substantiate that the citizen’s country is operating with impunity or that its judicial processes are broken or powerless.”

Isn’t that exactly what happens when the U.S. Supreme Court abdicates its responsibilities by allowing the government to quash lawsuits without any examination of merit or facts based on incontestable claims of “national security”?

Ryan Cowardin

Northridge

When Palin speaks, watch out

Re “Palin’s bus tour starts on two wheels,” May 30

Sarah Palin says, “I love that smell of the emissions!” That one statement speaks to many.

It speaks to the many Americans who suffer from lung disease, to Americans who love their spacious, clear blue skies and to our children and grandchildren’s future environment. Mostly, it speaks of her love for Big Oil.

Her verbal emission ruined my morning read.

Joanne Landeros

Dana Point

Note to the “lamestream media”: Sarah Palin is not running for president. She just wants you to pay attention to her. Stop it.

Craig Arnold

Long Beach

Rich resentment

Re “Gingrich’s bling backlash,” Editorial, May 28

People resent rich folks for lots of reasons, but their having more than the rest of us isn’t one of them.

The rich too often resent funding services for citizens who need help and paying their fair share to live in this country, while the rest of us pay every dollar we owe. And they too often abuse the power their riches bring them.

They forget to acknowledge it isn’t just their business acumen that’s made their fortunes but also the labor of millions of us worker bees who made them rich. And our reward? Curtail workers’ rights, wages and pensions whenever possible.

Your assertion feeds into the right-wing conservative “we’ve got ours, let them get theirs” attitude.

Tobi Dragert

Los Angeles

Ivins’ case

Re “A threat from within,” May 29

The story of Bruce Ivins raises the question: How many others are there today with similar delusional motives? Does the government properly scan prospective researchers and high-security personnel? Too many cases such as the Ft. Hood massacre remind us that we are all potential victims and should be vigilant for people who exhibit extreme behavior.

What role can colleges and universities play in monitoring those students and personnel who may pose a danger? How many computer geeks are there who think it is a game to disrupt our lives by hacking into various systems? And of course, who is the next Bruce Ivins?

Sol Taylor

Sherman Oaks

A dual tragedy

Re “Officer on funeral duty dies,” May 27

My deepest condolences go out to the families of Manhattan Beach police officers Andrew Garton and Mark Vasquez. What a series of horrible, intertwined tragedies.

However, I am struck by the glaring waste of time, resources and now, life from a motorcade honoring an officer not killed in the line of duty but by cancer. Why was this event even occurring? I can see an obviously beneficial role for a motorcade, both to the squad and to the public, when an officer dies while discharging his duties, but not otherwise.

One hopes this tragedy will force our forces to rethink when, why and at what cost they choose to deploy such pageantry.

Robert Wollman

West Hollywood