Letters: May 8, 2006

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It's a pity that the American public was not privileged to hear the dissenting voices of professional soldiers such as Lieut. General Greg Newbold [April 17] before incompetent civilians like George W. Bush, Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney-- and Tony Blair--launched a disastrous war. I pray that in the next presidential election someone will appear to make America a respected and honorable country once again.

DAVID LANDAU Peacehaven, England

This administration repeats lessons from our recent past. Both the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Vietnam War were also partly caused by groupthink, in which decision makers took advice only from those who shared their ideas. Bush was elected in part as the education President. An educated person should critically evaluate evidence for and against hypotheses--in this case, that Iraq had WMDs and was supporting al-Qaeda. For that, I give him an F in critical thinking and in leadership.

JOSEPH MELCHER St. Cloud, Minn.

I don't care how many generals have joined Newbold in criticizing Defense Secretary Rumsfeld. Iraq's actions were not "peripheral to the real threat," as Newbold claims. Saddam Hussein wanted to be the venture capitalist of Islamic extremism. Iraq today may be a down-and-dirty training ground for terrorists, but Saddam's Iraq was their five-star hotel and bank.

KENNETH A. RUMBARGER Trooper, Pa.

After reading Newbold's essay, I was about to write a scathing letter asking why the general waited so long to make his views known. Then I realized that I never made my views known either. I strongly opposed the Iraq invasion, but like many others, I chose inaction. I stayed silent and let others protest. I'll never know whether I could have made a difference, but I regret not having tried.

ROSEMARY GARRO TANFANI Fair Oaks, Calif.

While Newbold may have heard The Who, he clearly did not listen to the band. If he had, he would have been in tune with the thousands who protested before the war. And he would have noted the voices that tried to break through the wall of sound erected by the Republican Party. If the good general wants to say he was fooled again, he has certainly earned the right. But there were many here among us who were not fooled again.

JORGE OVALLE Bloomington, Ill.

As a former infantry Marine who served under Newbold's broad command from '95 to '99, I would like to express my deepest respect and gratitude for his speaking out publicly. I supported the war in Afghanistan and was considering going back to the corps until the Administration started rattling the saber for Iraq. Now if people ask me how I can be a Marine and not support the war, I can say, "Ask General Newbold that same question."

VINCENT BABCOCK SERGEANT, U.S.M.C. Marquette, Mich.

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