The American Spectator

Reader Mail

(Page 6 of 10)

Steve Sottolano /p>

Jed Babbin replies: Leading by example is always a good idea, Mr. Sottolano, but when you're flying a fighter, if the fuel light goes on, you need a big drink pronto. Our guys can do it alone. But with the help of the Brits, the toll of American lives will be smaller, and the cost to the taxpayer will be less. Those are pretty good reasons to give the Brits the courtesy of a visit. I say, go to London, Mr. President. It's cool and delightful in September, much nicer than Washington. And some important business can be done there.

If Mr. Spongberg is looking for an argument, he's talking to the wrong guy. There's a report in Thursday's London Times that the Belgian army was marching in parades carrying -- as Captain Queeg would say, I kid you not -- toy guns. According to the Times, they are doing this because the Belgian Army UNION says it's a good idea, and that it's simpler for them to do so because they are not required to carry licenses for them. Think about that.

On the more serious side, the Brits are essential to what we are going to do. We simply don't have the capability to carry out the amount of in-flight refueling required for the air war without the Brit tanker fleet. All we need to do is give them a little attention and respect, and they'll be there. Without them, we won't fail, but we will not succeed nearly as easily. The increased cost will be measured in lives of aircrews and troops on the ground.

As to Israel, Mr. Spongberg is right as well. But the context of the issue is crucial to understand. The only reason we try to keep Israel out of the fight is to refrain from telling the Saudis, Egyptians and a couple of others to eat their oil. Our Middle East policy is based on maintaining the current "friendlies" in power, and not replacing their regimes. As for me, I believe we will have to take on the Saudis and others as well if we're going to defeat terror. Having the Israelis on our side at that stage will be natural, and important.

p> HIGH NOON br> Re: Paul Kellogg's "No Absolution" letter in Reader Mail's Human Indignities : /p>

I apologize for dragging out this tempest in a teapot. But I have been maligned with an accusation of inaccuracy in reading from one who so obviously suffers from that malady. What is it the Bible says about "motes" and "beams?" Here are the direct quotes:

p>Dave Shiflett writes: br> "The fact is that any dope can wear a coat and tie. Most do, as have the most highly developed criminals in history, including Hitler and Himmler." [8/2/02]

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