Letters: Sep. 4, 2006

The Daily Hell That Is Baghdad

Correspondent Aparisim Ghosh's unflinching diary of his days and nights in Baghdad proved eye-opening to readers. Scores wrote to thank Ghosh, many finding sobering contrast between how they lead their lives and how Ghosh, Baghdad citizens and coalition troops must cope during wartime

Aparisim (Bobby) Ghosh offered an amazing view of hell on earth [Aug. 14]. I grew up in Ireland during the Troubles and know the anguish one experiences during times like that. It is indeed pure hell being worried your mother and father will be dragged from their home at night, never to be seen again; looking at everything as a potential bomb; and asking why no one offers help. Once again I realize I'm only one person and feel helpless to stop the suffering. Sandra Hoye Spokane, Wash.

On a rare occasion, a book, a movie or, in this case, an article confronts you with enough power to jar you out of your comfort zone. Living a relatively privileged life, it is easy to lose sight of basic freedoms we take for granted: to be able to shop at a market without fearing that a bomb will go off, to trust that our justice system will treat us fairly and to have confidence that our families and friends will be alive tomorrow. Although I disagreed with the decision to initiate war in Iraq, I can now imagine the consequences of Bush's withdrawing American troops. Thank you for shedding light on the situation in Iraq. More important, thank you for your remarkable insight and brutal honesty. Erika Jang Evanston, Ill.

Ghosh's "Baghdad Diary" put me in mind of a famous World War II saying: We sure liberated the hell out of that place. Connie Chapman Woodbridge, Va.

I failed to find where Ghosh was "unstinting in his praise and admiration for the courage and integrity of the American servicemen and -women in Iraq," as indicated by managing editor Richard Stengel in his To Our Readers column. In all the gloom, surely there is a ray of hope resulting from the actions of the courageous troops in Iraq. Frank Bacon Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, N.M.

What an absolutely stunning piece of journalism. Ghosh's "Baghdad Diary" should be required reading for all political and military analysts and decision makers who think they know how to achieve peace in the world. Alvin Jacobson Cambridge, Mass.

Ghosh's description of Baghdad was a wonderful piece of work. Is this the same Iraq our Administration paints such a rosy picture of? In the process of trying to shove liberty and democracy down the Iraqis' throats, we have made their day-to-day lives miserable. Saroja Venkatraman Martinez, Ga.

I don't understand the many references to sectarianism. It seems to me that the war is more one of control of people and territory than of religion. If changing your name protects you from attack, then you can't tell your enemy by looking at him or even knowing what he believes. The agony in Baghdad seems more like territorial gang warfare than religious strife, more about revenge than an attempt to make people believe in a different theology. Mark Larsen Grants Pass, Ore.