Letters

Who Knew What When?

In "Bush And 9/11: What We Need To Know" [March 22], columnist Joe Klein was playing politics with the tragedy of 9/11. Klein poses some questions that members of the intelligence community would ask President Bush if they could. But it's the Clinton Administration that should be answering all the questions. President Clinton had several years to deal with al-Qaeda after the devastating car-bomb attack on the World Trade Center in 1993. For Klein to suggest that the Bush Administration should have done in eight months what the previous Administration was unable to do in nearly eight years is totally unrealistic.
THOMAS KRAFT
Peoria, Ill.

It is disturbing that the Bush folks did not act on the outgoing Clinton Administration's warnings about the threat posed by Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda. The gall of Bush's using 9/11 imagery in his campaign when the disaster might have been averted is incredible. Bush is indeed a war President; the trouble is, he fought the wrong enemy.
DAVID LITTON
Austin, Texas

The actions of President Bush on 9/11 disappointed me; I expected him to rush back to Washington and make clear by example that he and America were not intimidated by terrorist acts. Instead, he showed just the opposite by going into hiding until the all clear was given. Then three days later he emerged for photo ops in the wreckage of the Twin Towers. I suppose it was prudent not to take chances in a chaotic and possibly dangerous situation. But to me, Bush's behavior illustrates the difference between a leader and an officeholder.
TERRY JOHNSON
Alva, Okla.

Using the Mute Button

Your article "Raising The Volume" described how the U.S. presidential race is already at fever pitch [March 22]. While I have tremendous respect for the people who run for President, I am disheartened that candidates have not outgrown their need to attack one another, so much so that no matter who is elected, we can't feel confident that the right person was chosen. Although I plan to read editorials and news reports, I intend to press the mute button on all political TV commercials and spin commentaries until after the election.
JEAN MCGRAW
Lawrenceville, N.J.

Implacable Hatred

Bravo to former presidential adviser Richard A. Clarke for his Viewpoint "The New Terrorist Threat" [March 22]. As Clarke noted, "[M]aybe we should be asking why the terrorists hate us." It seems like a better idea than blindly lashing out at them. If we had intelligently examined the reasons for fascism in the 1930s or communism during the cold war, perhaps we would have been able to understand and better deal with them. If we comprehend what drives terrorists, we can perhaps alter our behavior. That does not mean kowtowing to terrorists, but it does mean realizing that we might be at least part of the problem.
M. KELLY TILLERY
Philadelphia

Terrorists hate us because they are militant Islamists and they want to convert us to a Taliban-like country with Islam as the official religion. It's naive to think you can reason with such people.
JOHN F. BARNES
San Antonio, Texas

Skate at Your Own Risk

Your article "Can The NHL Save Itself?" [March 22] was very unfair about Vancouver Canuck Todd Bertuzzi's punching centerman Steve Moore of the Colorado Avalanche. Those who have played hockey know that the minute you step into the rink you are at risk of getting injured, whether you play in the National Hockey League or on an amateur team. You have unjustly accused Bertuzzi. I cannot see why an NHL player would injure another player for any reason. What happened to Moore was unfortunate, but it was an accident.
CHRISTINE FRANK
Toronto