Terrorist attacks in Iraq prove an interesting point

Terrorist attacks in Iraqprove an interesting point
EDITOR:
In spite of cries to the contrary, the bombing of the U.N. building in Baghdad is proof of our great success in Iraq, as are the other bombings that have taken place in that country.
Every attack has killed and injured far more Iraqis than Westerners. This would obviously erode support for the terrorists, except they have little support to begin with.
The terrorists are striking at soft targets such as embassies, oil and water lines, and hotels housing U.N. personnel in a vain attempt to scare American forces out of Iraq. They know we are making great progress in setting up a free and stable Iraq, and they are trying to stop it.
This is not a time for America to back down. The only failed policy we see in Iraq is that of the terrorists. Each new attack will be same as the rest. Murder conducted by cowards, who are isolated, hunted, hopeless and afraid. The terrorists are those who must live in terror.
GREG HARMON
Bessemer, Pa.
We're paying the pricefor misguided priorities
EDITOR:
Fifty million people are plunged into darkness because of an antiquated electrical transmission system.
National security leaders reveal the vulnerability of commercial aircraft to destruction by shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles.
Our ports are poorly protected against terrorist attack because of a lack of money to make them secure.
Dire threats predicting the demise of Medicare and the possible collapse of Social Security are regular news features. Many senior citizens must make a daily choice between food and necessary medi-cations.
The federal government borrows money (deficit spending) to give tax breaks that overwhelmingly favor the wealthy while cutting funding for the states, predictably resulting in increased state taxes.
Well-paying manufacturing and service jobs are leaving the country at an unprecedented rate.
Where can we find the money to fix these problems?
The Bush administration has decided that none of the above is as important as attacking a sovereign state that posed no threat to us, despite the claims of Colin Powell that Iraq possessed "thousands of tons of chemical and biological weapons" and the assertion by Donald Rumsfeld that, "Not only are we certain that Iraq possesses stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction, we know where they are." We just can't seem to find them.
Let us not forget President Bush's bogus claim during his State of the Union speech that Iraq was actively seeking nuclear weapons in Africa and the spurious claims that Iraq was somehow involved in the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center.
The Bush administration claims that our ultimate goal is to build a democracy in Iraq. True democracy in Iraq would almost certainly result in the election of a fundamentalist Muslim government like neighboring Iran's (does anyone remember the Ayatollah Khomeini?).
This ill-conceived, if not immoral war is now costing us a billion dollars a week and the deepening resentment and hatred of many, if not most Iraqis. Most experts predict that our troops will remain in Iraq for three to five years. A billion dollars a week!
And how have we Americans responded to these misplaced priorities and the outright subterfuge perpetuated by our leaders?
Over half of us think the president is doing a good job. Over half of our neighbors apparently believe that our tax dollars are better spent rebuilding Iraq rather than rebuilding our own country.
Is there no intelligent life left on this planet?
ROBERT F. MOLLIC
Girard
Bravo for Music at Madison
EDITOR:
I recently experienced a fabulous evening in Youngstown at Music at the Madison. It was a warm summer evening, and the entertainment was magnificent. The performers sang everything from Broadway hits to jazz and popular music. I felt very welcome. The talent found in Youngstown is incredible. The evening was hosted by Rodd Coonce and Jack Peterson.
At intermission amazing snacks and finger foods were served at a scrumptious buffet in their Victorian home at 264 Madison. I feel it is so wonderful that they are giving something so incredible to our community. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a great evening out.
JANIS L. DEPASQUA
Youngstown