Letters

What It Takes to Win

"Sticking To His Guns," your report on President Bush's reaction to the conduct of the war, seemed to be more about the conduct of the media [COVER STORY, April 7]. The members of the press were looking as hard as they could to find something wrong with the Administration's plan. Wars are not conducted with a blueprint; they are fought minute by minute, with strategy constantly adjusted as necessary.
DAVE BEDFORD
Fort Pierce, Fla.

LATEST COVER STORY Mind & Body Happiness Jan. 17, 2004 Past Issues Tsunami Jan. 10, 2004 ----------------- Person of the Year Jan. 3, 2004 ----------------- Secrets of the Nativity Dec. 13, 2004 ----------------- The Stealth Killer Dec. 6, 2004 ----------------- Coolest Inventions Nov. 29, 2004 ----------------- Battle for Fallujah Nov. 22, 2004 ----------------- Four More Years Nov. 15, 2004 ----------------- The Joy Of Sox Nov. 8, 2004 ----------------- The Morning After Nov. 1, 2004 ----------------- The God Gene Oct. 25, 2004 ----------------- The Vote Battle Oct. 18, 2004 ----------------- Visions of Tomorrow Oct. 11, 2004 ----------------- The Tragedy of Sudan Oct. 4, 2004 ----------------- CBS Controversy Sept. 27, 2004 ----------------- America's Border Sept. 20, 2004 ----------------- Struggle Within Islam Sept. 13, 2004 ----------------- World of George Bush Sept. 6, 2004 -----------------   SPECIAL REPORTS  Coolest Video Games 2004  Coolest Inventions  Wireless Society  Cool Tech 2004 PHOTOS AND GRAPHICS  At The Epicenter  Paths to Pleasure  Quotes of the Week  This Week's Gadget  Cartoons of the Week More graphics >> More photos >> MORE STORIES Advisor: Rove Warrior The Bushes: Family Dynasty Klein: Benneton Ad Presidency More Stories >> CNN.com: Latest News

There is no shame in adjusting tactics. Our military adapted its plan to the enemy's actions. The ability to react is indicative of the skills and maturity required to win this war.
STEVE MOUROUSIAS
Palatine, Ill.

Many readers probably objected to the photo on your cover, given the Marines' injuries. I disagree. The pain and weariness this war has brought show on the Marines' faces, but closer examination reveals much more. Your cover picture shows the spirit, determination and professionalism that our brave troops brought to the battlefield. They truly are our finest. Our thoughts, prayers and wishes are for their safe return.
JEAN BUSH
Denton, Texas

--The wounds of battle hit home in various ways, as reactions to our cover picture made clear. "Do you think the parents of the Marines wanted to see their sons like that?" asked a woman in New Jersey. "People I care for are fighting in Iraq," wrote a South Carolina woman. "I am fully aware of the danger they face and resent having it thrust in my face." But for a Californian, the image of suffering on the battlefield provided a valuable link to members of the armed forces. "The wounds and intent eyes of the soldiers were touching beyond words. Thank you for choosing that picture for your cover."

Second-Guessing the Plan

Re "3 Flawed Assumptions": it was a little early to be characterizing the Administration's expectations for the war as "flawed" when the conflict was less than two weeks old [INSIDE THE STRATEGY, April 7]. There were many happy Iraqis in those first few days, and the paramilitary's effect on coalition progress was minimal at most. It looked like a resounding success to me!
MATTHEW LAWRENCE
Albuquerque, N.M.

What was flawed was the media's expectations for the war. The Army neither anticipated nor projected a quick end to the conflict. Our lack of knowledge and unwillingness to understand Arab culture have always put America at a disadvantage. Having spent most of my military career in the Middle East, I speak from experience. The war will be best understood by letting General Tommy Franks do his job instead of trying to second-guess him or interpret his actions.
JOEL P. SLOSS
Cumming, Ga.

Girding Against Guerrillas

Michael Elliott's column on guerrilla warfare and its roots in America's Revolutionary War was a refreshing departure from the chorus of media pundits decrying the Iraqis' "unfair" tactics [GLOBAL AGENDA, April 7]. Did we expect them to stand out in the open in full battle dress and be shot?
DARYL McGRATH
Germantown, Md.

Americans were not taken aback by Iraqi hit-and-run tactics. We were disgusted by stories of Iraqi soldiers using women and children as human shields as they fired at U.S. soldiers and forcing Iraqi civilians at gunpoint to fight against coalition forces.
ART BYERS
Blythewood, S.C.

Cooks Are Soldiers Too

The story of specialist Shoshana Johnson, the U.S. Army cook taken captive by the Iraqis, demonstrates that no matter what job you choose to do while serving our country, when you are on the battlefield, you are no safer than any other soldier [PRISONER OF WAR, April 7]. The enemy doesn't care what kind of job you do; you are a target. I served three years as a food-service specialist (cook) in the Army. Soldiers have to eat, and my job was just as important as anybody else's. Every job in the military serves a purpose, whether it be cook or mechanic, and all soldiers have been called to duty to protect our country.
CHRISTINA TARVER
Prince George, Va.

The Facts Behind the Rules

The article "What's Fair In War?" addressed the absurdity of the Geneva accords [RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, April 7]. Atrocities are constantly being committed in war. We Americans assume it's O.K. if the good guys commit them but not O.K. if the bad guys do. The very essence of war is cruel, inhuman and fatal. Our valiant American soldiers return from every war shaking with nervous jitters at best or, worse, without arms, legs, eyesight or their very lives. Not to mention the carnage left behind. When will arms companies and fine-suited politicians see war for what it really is?
KAY MARTIN
Greenville, S.C.

"What's Fair In War" incorrectly reported that NASDAQ banned the television network al-Jazeera from its broadcast facility. The press credentials of al-Jazeera's reporters were revoked by the New York Stock Exchange, which had previously allowed al-Jazeera to conduct daily reports from its trading floor.
SILVIA DAVI
DIRECTOR, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
NASDAQ
New York City