Letters

Feeling the Heat

As Bush's National Security Adviser, Condoleezza Rice has been nobody's fool. I may not agree with her, but I respect her integrity.
GABRIELLA PETERSEN
San Francisco

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Could the Bush administration have done more to combat terrorism before 9/11 [April 5]? The answer is a resounding yes! Unfortunately, that is also true for governments of other countries. No investigative commission can undo 9/11, but we have a chance to thwart other attacks. That's where our time, money and manpower should be directed. I wish the U.S. would lead that effort and not use valuable resources to second-guess what happened leading up to 9/11.
RONALD ERICKSON
Downers Grove, Ill.

The blame for 9/11 lies with Osama bin Laden and his followers. They, not our government, are the ones who perpetrated those crimes. Sure, there are things that both the Clinton and Bush administrations could have done differently, but such actions probably would not have prevented the 9/11 attacks. People would like to pin the responsibility on Bush, but it isn't his fault or Clinton's. They are not the people responsible for those atrocities. That person is bin Laden.
WAYNE RENFROE
Lansing, Mich.

I have profound respect for Condoleezza Rice and her accomplishments as Bush's National Security Adviser. Whether she should have been more proactive in addressing terrorist threats during the months before 9/11 is open to debate. Americans have a right to know, however, what went wrong and how future attacks might be prevented. Whatever the outcome of the investigation, one can say that although the Bush Administration went all the way to Iraq in search of weapons of mass destruction, it failed to realize the fatal errors committed right here in the White House.
SRINIVAS BALLA
Fairfax, Va.

There is no reason to focus on the government's activities before 9/11 except to learn from them. To do otherwise is simply another Democratic Party campaign ploy. For the country to have focused on terrorism before the attacks would have been an irresponsible use of resources. As anyone who has been victimized will say, You are never careful enough until it happens to you.
DAVID LINEMAN
Houston

Clarke and the 9/11 Commission

Richard A. Clarke, whatever his political leanings or allegiance, served the U.S. ably for decades as counterterrorism adviser [April 5]. His portrayal of the Bush Administration as probably lax in preventing the 9/11 attacks is accurate and truthful. The Bush Administration has impugned Clarke's character and attacked his testimony. It is obvious that Clarke's observations have exposed the Administration's vulnerability and raised fears about the outcome of the November presidential election.
RICK ZIMMERMAN
Solon, Ohio

Had Clinton fulfilled his duties in protecting us from terrorism, Bush wouldn't have been confronted with it. The lack of action during the Clinton Administration convinced terrorists that they could have their way with a soft U.S. It became Bush's job to convince terrorists that they will be confronted and defeated.
JERE TROTTER
Deltona, Fla.

Clarke only reinforced the obvious. Shortly after 9/11, the U.S. went after bin Laden, and most of the world approved. Then Bush shifted our anger to Saddam Hussein. Before long, we invaded Iraq, as if Saddam were a real threat to us. Most of the world did not approve. Bush had his own agenda and used 9/11 as an excuse to invade Iraq while putting bin Laden on the back burner.
DAVID CACCIA
Honokaa, Hawaii

When Clarke began his testimony before the 9/11 Commission, he said the government, others entrusted with protecting Americans and he had failed our citizens. Your article noted that some people found Clarke's apology melodramatic, but I thought it was innately decent and human. There is no shame in fallible human beings admitting mistakes. That sentiment isn't shared by politicians. It seems that sorry is not in the Bush White House's dictionary.
DAVID ESTES
Washington

Why did Clarke apologize for 9/11? He isn't part of a terror cell or an associate of bin Laden's. Clinton, Clarke and Bush did not fly those planes on that horrible day. Let's stop apologizing for something we didn't do and rally behind a leader who will take these madmen out.
IAN ERICKSON
Oldbridge, N.J.

Steinem Going Strong

Thank you for the interview with Gloria Steinem [April 5]. She has been my role model throughout my life, which would be very different had it not been for Steinem and the women's rights movement. She has given me strength and courage. I thank Steinem for being articulate, sexy, smart, strong and passionate. I am proud to be a feminist.
SARA A. FLICKNER
Chicago

Steinem said, "achieving a society in which men raise children as much as women do is crucial." But the role of men in the family has changed dramatically in the past 30 years. As a father and husband, I cook, wash dishes, do laundry and love and nurture my childrenand I'm not the only father who does. What planet has Steinem been living on?
DOUG EASTON
Corvallis, Ore.