Letters: Dec. 6, 2004

• Share

(5 of 5)

How is it that a country with a free press, which saw multitudes of ideas contested and volleyed back and forth during the presidential campaign, could not make 51% of its voters see the simple truth that the incumbent has not made their world safer and does not deserve a second term? How can people in nations with repressive governments continue to argue that a free media will disseminate the truth and ensure the well-being of citizens after what just happened in the U.S.?

CHUAH SIEW ENG

Kuala Lumpur

To my utter dismay, Bush is in for another term, confirming the opinion of those of us in the Third World that terrorism scares Americans so much that they have lost the ability to reason. One can only congratulate Bush for capitalizing on 9/11 to secure another rudderless foreign policy plan for four years. Perhaps Bush's action or inaction will help form a new world order. Should the power of the U.S. begin to wane, China will be waiting in the wings.

AFOLABI BABATUNDE

Lagos

Bin Laden for Bush?

In "How Bush Almost Let It Slip Away" [Nov. 15], columnist Charles Krauthammer argued that "Osama bin Laden was never one to remotely understand the American mind--he spectacularly misjudged 9/11--and he pulled his nemesis over the finish line." My guess is that bin Laden got just what he wanted with his "October surprise" videotape: the re-election of his best recruiter.

NEAL KROLL

Davis, Calif.

Bush's actions in Iraq have proved bin Laden's charge that America is trying to conquer Islamic lands. Bush's aggressive, unilateralist foreign policy and blinkered support for Israel has made him hated throughout the Middle East. His presidency has provided plenty of recruitment material for al-Qaeda. Four more years will doubtless provide more. Yes, bin Laden knew exactly what he was doing when he released that videotape.

LORNA FORSE

Manchester, England