Letters: Apr. 3, 2006

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Should we commend Sullivan for confessing the neoconservatives' "huge errors" regarding Iraq, mistakes many of us identified years ago and for which we were branded unpatriotic, even while our children were preparing to be deployed there? No! Sullivan still attempts to justify the war and mentions the dead and wounded Americans only in passing. Now that he has confessed, he should go to a VA hospital, apologize to the soldiers there and then visit families of those who died in the name of incompetence, narcissism and cultural ignorance.

PAUL I. HETTICH

Antioch, Ill.

Sullivan captured the thoughts of many Republicans and Democrats. His honesty deserves respect, but we wish that our President had spoken those words to us citizens, as well as to the world.

RAY ROSS Montrose, Colo.

I applaud Sullivan's confession of his regrets about the war. It takes a sound disposition to criticize long-standing personal beliefs, especially when denouncing issues that have been so artfully aligned with American patriotism.

JAY B. TRELOAR Gainesville, Fla.

Sullivan made no mention of the intense international scrutiny and pressure building against Iraq in 2004. One wishes that he had acknowledged that if the U.S. had supported--instead of undermined--diplomatic channels, perhaps war would not have been necessary. Nevertheless, he should be strenuously commended for admitting his errors. There can be no productive discussion unless we have the courage to look at the world as it is, not as we wish it would be.

CHRIS KRAUSE Edmonton, Alta.