Reader Comments

Editor: In regard to your “Complete Victory in Iraq” and with all due respect for those brave men and women serving in Iraq, I do not foresee Victory as being attainable. After serving in the military for 20 years I have concluded that the Iraqi people expect Americans to tackle the task of securing their borders while many of the Iraq citizens continue fighting each other in the Sunni-Shiite conflict and the Arab-Kurd conflict. I believe that the solution is to tell all of the Iraqi people that are trained, armed, and willing to die for their cause to make Iraq their cause. They need to secure their own borders, fight terrorism and stabilize their own country. They need to set their differences aside and join us in the fight for their freedom. Remember the last 2 times that the United States was attacked? Following the attack on Pearl Harbor and the attack on the World Trade Centers all Americans dropped their religious, race, gender and political differences and we engaged the enemy as one nation. If the Iraqi people do this then we should stay and help them. We should leave if they continue to regard our military as being backfill for their people who cannot support the Iraq due their being occupied with internal fighting. Regards, Peter R. Burg, Master Sergeant, USAF (Retired)

Editor: I enjoyed your column on “Complete Victory in Iraq”--and especially going back to your pre-invasion column. Nice to see we shared so many of the real concerns on how difficult nation-building would be. Eric Rohrbach

Editor: In regard to “Complete Victory in Iraq?” 1) George W. Bush ensured a U.S defeat four years ago when he changed the mission just prior to the invasion; from a military one (ousting Saddam Hussein and securing Iraq as a a U.S. ally), to a political one (winning the hearts and minds of Iraqis by giving them a version of democracy). 2) The entire war effort has lacked a clear mission ever since Saddam Hussein was ousted. Bush and Rumsfeld showed weakness, ensuring a long protracted stalemate, when they used polling data to direct war policy, and refused to pursue a scorched earth policy in the Sunni Triangle during 2003 and 2004. 3) By dragging out hostilities with no results to show, the Bush Administration has lost public confidence and support in the United States, and made the U.S. one of the most despised (or least admired) nations internationally. The domestic setbacks have also severely damaged the credibility of the Republican Party, and conservatives, to the extent that they remained loyal to Bush, and not to principles. At this point, George W. Bush has few (if any) options to save his presidency. With the economy slowing, and a losing war of his own choosing, he is headed into history as a total failure. It is clear that he has no strategy for winning. His "surge" was a last ditch more-of-what-has-already-failed effort, and it has accomplished nothing. In order to 'win' in Iraq, the United States is going to have to engage in an offensive on the scale of General Sherman's' scorched earth' march to Atlanta, or Harry Truman's decision to drop an atomic bomb on Japan. Both actions would have failed in polls, but unfortunately, it seems that Bush lacks the courage and strength of character needed to lead. Brian Lynch, Austin, Texas

Editor: Thanks for “Complete Victory in Iraq?” The straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference, which had over 6,000 attendees half of whom were too young to remember Mr. Reagan, also made it clear that Mr. Bush is mostly irrelevant to the conservative movement. In the poll, 79 percent described themselves as a "Ronald Reagan Republican," but just 3 percent said they were a "George W. Bush Republican." CM

Editor: “Veteran Reflects on Iraq” is an outstanding article. It really hits home with us vets who understand where Sgt Gill is coming from with his comments. Please thank Sgt Larry Gill for his willingness to stand up and be counted when it comes to supporting the country and the military. Hal Koster

Editor: Kudos for Larry Gill's column, “Veteran Reflects on Iraq”. Hit the nail right on the head with that one. I'm a former Combat MP Sgt - pulled some time in Iraq in 2003. He's right on with what he's saying. Rock on Sergeant Gill... Tom Nelson

Editor: I really think Mr. Gill's article hit on how many of us, families of combat wounded soldiers from this war in Iraq feel. Great article, I couldn't agree with him more. Thanks Kim Hall

Editor: Thank you Joseph Morris so much for making my day with “Islam and 9/11 Terrorism”! Your article was one of the best I have ever read regarding the Islamic fundamentalist and their agenda towards taking over the world. Their "close-mindedness" will never tolerate other religions or belief systems to exist. Their ultimate plan is to exterminate everyone that doesn't follow their beliefs. Even their own fellow Islamic people will be killed for having been contaminated by dealing with the likes of Christians, Jews, etc. Once they have collaborated with us, I am convinced they are then marked for death. These people don't have the capacity to forgive. They have been programmed since birth to hate, kill and destroy everything in their path that isn't of their belief system. I believe the children brought up with their books and teachings of hatred have only one motivation and that is to DIE for Islam and their promise of a better life after death. This complete "brainwashing" tactic is going on in the Saudi Arabia sponsored schools that exist in Britain, even today. Thank you for your extremely informative article. You are so logical in your conclusions and presentation and are so fair towards everyone concerned. But, that is the very difference in you and these people. You are guided with compassion, love for your fellow man and understanding. GOD BLESS US ALL AND PROTECT US FROM THIS EVIL FORCE THAT IS BENT ON CHANGING AND/OR DESTROYING THE WORLD, AS IT EXISTS TODAY. Thank you so much for allowing me to vent my fears and what I have been feeling within the very pit of my heart and soul. J. Emmons

Editor: What is Joseph Morris thinking in “Islam and 9/11 Terrorism”? "As grave as I believe such sins as abortion and homosexual conduct to be, they pale in comparison with the sins of murder and aggressive war as committed by those who attacked us on September 11th." There were 1.2 million unborn babies murdered each year in America and he calls that "pale in comparison" to the less than 3,000 lives lost on 9/11? Every life is precious ... but his reasoning is a bit off on this point. Thanks, Dale Rusnik, Chesterland, OH

Editor: Regarding Joseph Morris’ “Islam and 9/11 Terrorism,” bin Laden mentioned several instances of American presence in countries where sites important to Muslims are, and the support of Israel to the exclusion of Palestinians, as reasons for attacking America. He didn't mention our 'culture and our mores' as a reason, but rather our politics. Why then the obfuscation and focus on the cultural and not the political? That sounds suspiciously like Dinesh d'Souza's agreement with Islamic extremists about our culture. Karen Isaacson

Editor: Joseph Morris’ “Islam and 9/11 Terrorism,” makes one ask, what in the world is going on? We have Muslims in Minnesota demanding Sharia law and others in Detroit and Virginia who are trying to influence our children in school. Enough is enough. Secular Progressives are so busy being politically correct they don't see the forest shrinking before their eyes. They won't see it until the last tree is standing and then it will be too late. Why aren't conservative and Christian organizations fighting vigorously to defend our birthrights? If the liberal media can run erroneous stories claiming it to be fact, why can't conservative organizations clear up the record on the front page of the Wall Street Journal or the Washington Times or the Fox News network. Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, and leave the rest to God! Thanks, John Careccia

Editor: Good article by Carey Roberts, “Sad Tale of Lisa?” Many of us have come from disfunctional families but we don't go out and attempt to murder someone because of it. We rise above our situation through the grace of God and go on to change for the better. She does need some help in the mental health field to replace her evil thoughts with good ones. Maybe some Bible reading and returning to worship? Angela Defranco

Editor: Great article by S.T. Karnick, “Hardaway Free Speech?” I agree that speech is not free to all. Declaring someone else has a problem is difficult when we are supposed to be free to believe in whatever we want, like religion, NBA basketball (I do not watch), or politics. Many verses in the Bible talk against homosexuality. Yet many will not allow talk of why Jesus or Paul (Corinthians) might have been opposed to it. I have objections to the idea of homosexuality, yet do not have the same connections an NBA ball player might have showering daily with they might be threatened by or playing next to a type of person who have a high likeliness of having a communicable disease. Yet people want to ban smoking because of 2nd hand smoke? Michael Monson

Editor: John Goodman did not even mention in “Bush Health Reform” what I and others feel is one of the major reasons our health costs are sky-high: the AMA and the FDA operate in a cabal to shut out anything they do not like or feel will deprive them of revenue, even if it might be more effective, safer, and CHEAPER. Unless other methodologies are allowed into the fray, we will definitely see our health costs continue to spiral upwards, and also see the general level of health decline. Many of the so-called "approved and accepted standard of care" medicines and procedures only collect money, and do very little actual good on a LONG-TERM basis. I ought to know - I have been adding accepted and tested supplements for Type 2 Diabetes to my diet for a number of years, and have not seen the disease progress. They are cheap, have no side effects other than to benefit me and my well being. Only Alternative Doctors understand them - my regular doctor does not, nor was he even interested when I asked him if he would like to know why I was doing so well. Steven S. Purdy, Kannapolis, NC

Editor: That was an excellent article on Eastwood by Spencer Warren, “Letters from Iwo Jima.” I am sick to death of the Hollywood crowd who re-write history as they age and fear their own mortality, vainly trying to "make nice" to everyone--what a coward. Ellen Crawford

Editor: I am so glad to have finally found something pointing out the truth about Eastwood's ridiculous movie, “Letters from Iwo Jima.” They are cowards who acted without a shred or morality or integrity. And they have yet to apologize formally for the numerous war crimes committed by their country. Worse still, the Japanese PM recently stated that he believes that the comfort women were NOT coerced. In essence he is calling the comfort women survivors liars and prostitutes and in the same breath he is pardoning the Japanese military and selfishly saving face. I have blogged about the comfort women statements here: http://www.xanga.com/mustardseed71. One of the most ridiculous comments was made by Nariaki Nakayama: "Nariaki Nakayama, chairman of the group of about 120 lawmakers, sought to play down the government's involvement in the brothels by saying it was similar to a school that hires a company to run its cafeteria." "Where there's demand, businesses crop up. . . . But to say women were forced by the Japanese military into service is off the mark,'' he said. ``This issue must be reconsidered, based on truth . . . for the sake of Japanese honor.'' Thanks again to Spencer Warren for writing his review, Steve

Editor: Great article by Paul Weyrich on “Bring Back Streetcars” !!! This is a cause I have been championing almost all of my adult life. I know that trolley lines rarely make a profit. Most people that also know this think there should be subsidizes for them by some level of government. I find this answer distasteful, I think they should be able to make a profit large enough to sustain themselves and future upgrades. If this is not possible, and I realize that it simply is not sometimes, then the businesses that are serviced by the line should each own part of the line and invest in their future prosperity. I have lived in the Los Angeles area for more than twenty years and would love to see a restoration and expansion of the old Red and Yellow Car lines. The electricity used here in this area could be generated by wind, solar and methane methods that would also benefit our communities. Yes, let’s bring back the trolleys, relieve the traffic congestion and diminish our dependency on foreign oil. Glenn O. Simar

Editor: Thanks to B. Friend for speaking out in his article “Spanking Social Engineers.” I agree with him wholeheartedly. DG

Editor: I know you are busy for CPAC and I am sorry I will miss it this year because I am in Germany. The reason I contacted you was to try to send out an alert to conservatives that the Armed Forces Network radio, at least here, is broadcasting mainly news with a very liberal slant. Before moving to New Jersey three years ago, I listened for a number of years and noticed its having become more and more liberal. An example: When UPI became more conservative a number of years ago, it was dropped immediately from AFN. Before, the hourly news was rotated between UPI and AP; now it is only AP. To me, soldiers having to hear constant negativity about the war, is not right. Thank you very much for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely, Patricia (Pat) Degen