Letters: Dec. 25, 2006

(3 of 6)

I appeal to the people of Iraq to stop all violence and support their elected government. Peace would obviously benefit the entire country in innumerable ways, but perhaps most important, it would make a U.S. military withdrawal politically possible. American leaders are paralyzed by indecision and political insecurity, and only peace in Iraq will let them off the hook and open the way for troop withdrawal. I cannot fully understand the rivalry and enmity among the people of Iraq. But the religious and ethnic factions need to learn to live together in peace, or they will live in fear and danger perpetually. BRIAN SCHILL Spring Branch, Texas

Facing the Enemy

In reporting on warlord Abu Deraa [Dec. 4], TIME has once again given in to the urge to attach a name and a face to the enemy in Iraq, thus raising the illusory hope that the elimination of one key figure will solve whatever it is that is fueling the violence. But it didn't work with al-Zarqawi and won't with Abu Deraa because it's not about one man or even one organization. It's about the disintegration of a society in the aftermath of an unprovoked invasion and occupation. It's about us. JOHN HUBERS Chicago

Time for a Family Chat

RE Joe Klein's "What Daddy Couldn't Say" [Dec. 4]: There appears to be an elephant in the living room of the Bush household. When Daddy can't discuss Iraq with his son because the son is in denial and Daddy doesn't want the son to feel grief, that's grave dysfunction. The only solution is intervention, by the son's immediate family and our elected representatives. Please, Daddy Bush, have that talk with your son. MARIANNE ELLIS Sacramento, Calif.

I can't help wondering what mommy can't say about a lot of things. It must be difficult--nay, painful--for this mum to keep mum, more than we'll ever know. Clare Parsons Weaver Manchester, Mass.

Can the U.S. Talk with Iran?

Walter Isaacson argued cogently for dialogue with Iran about stabilizing Iraq and then sabotaged his valid arguments by name calling [Dec. 4]. Does it promote fruitful dialogue to call Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad "mad" and declare that he sounds "like a lunatic"? Has Ahmadinejad done anything remotely as mad and lunatic as invading and occupying Iraq or bombing Lebanon? Demonizing and name calling are what have got us into this horrific mess in the Middle East. CARL J. EKBERG Purgitsville, W.Va.

Even Isaacson admits that "Direct talks with Iran will not persuade it to abandon its nuclear dreams right away." Then why should we engage in negotiations that will only embolden the Iranian regime and give it credibility in the Western world? Isolation of that rogue nation with sanctions is the only way to proceed until either its immoderate leadership is changed or it is willing to stop developing its nascent nuclear program, the avowed objective of which is to destroy Israel and dominate the Middle East. NELSON MARANS Silver Spring, Md.

Faith in Romney