The American Spectator

Reader Mail

(Page 5 of 16)

br> -- Mark Fallert br> Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania /p>

While reading many articles, including Peter Hannaford's, about the Iraq military supplemental funding bill, I can't help but feel like I'm watching bad Kabuki theatre. The dance is well choreographed. The Democrats propose that we leave Iraq because that is what the American people want, as evidenced in the last election. So we leave, then what? Where's the strategic plan for the long-term war against our enemies? The Republicans pose dire scenarios if we don't keep on keeping on. Assume the surge works, then what? Where's the strategic plan for the long-term war on terror? No doubt chaos will ensue if we leave Iraq before a stable government is in place (assuming that is a possibility given the civic values and hatreds that exit in that part of the world). But, does anyone seriously think that the war of terror will be over if we are successful in Iraq?

p>Also, why haven't the American people been asked to make an economic sacrifice in the form of taxes to help pay for this long-term conflict? Instead of going deeper into to debt and leaving the tab to our children and grandchildren, shouldn't we be willing to pay our fair share of what looks like a long-term struggle? Apparently nobody in either party thinks so, or has the courage to say so. And, if our near term security is so dependent on our success in Iraq, why not reinstitute the draft so we have the personnel needed to do the job? Is it good policy to grind down the military personnel we have and rationalize what we are doing by noting that they are volunteers? It certainly is ethical. br> -- Mike Roush br> North Carolina /p>

If the Democrats get their way and disengage the American forces from their mission in Iraq, the American people should know that there will be a run on airline tickets as terrorists come to the U.S. to bomb shopping malls and sports stadiums. And New York City, the liberals' bastion, will be a prime target.

p>America has a history of reluctance to deal with its enemies decisively early on. Most of our national leaders know this but some choose to gain political advantage and shun the burden of leadership. Those whom promote retreat will bear the blame not only for American casualties at home but for the bloodbath that will consume the Middle East. br> -- Howard Lohmuller br> Seabrook, Texas

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