Tough questions on Iraq deserve answers

In angrily attacking the critics of the war in Iraq, Vice President Dick Cheney and President Bush are relying on an old smokescreen (Nov. 17).

They claim such criticism undermines our troops, as if to suggest the critics are anti-military or, worse yet, disloyal. One has nothing to do with the other. You can be fully supportive of our troops, their service and their sacrifice, and still criticize the order they are required to obey. The military’s not the problem; it’s the mission.

WILLIAM SEATON

Sherman Oaks

*

Bush is attacking Democrats for asking tough questions about Iraq. But the people asking the tough questions are not just the Democrats but also the media and the independent forces of society that are responsible for upholding and enforcing the rule of law and whose duty it is to seek out the truth.

Democrats do not have much to do with it. It is the voice and representatives of decent, average Americans who are asking the tough questions, and Bush has to answer to them.

SEVAK KHODAVERDIAN

Sherman Oaks

*

Re “Senate Overwhelmingly Backs Resolution to Ease Out of Iraq,” Nov. 16

Now that we have trashed their water and power supplies, interrupted their oil production and gotten tens of thousands of their citizens killed or maimed for life, we’re ready to give the country back to the Iraqis. Are we the good guys or what?

A.C. DAVIES

Marina del Rey