Democrats Question a Widening War Effort

Re “Daschle Questions Future Success of U.S. War Effort,” March 1: Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle is dead right about calling the so-called “war on terrorism” into question. This war has no clear purpose other than keeping the focus off of the administration’s mismanagement of everything it touches--including the war. Its blunders on the economy, the environment, civil liberties, Middle East policy and relations with our allies are nothing short of embarrassing.

The administration’s only hope for maintaining public support is to expand a needless and ineffective war that will cost the lives of fine young Americans and explode the national debt beyond all reason. Its lack of success in accomplishing its often repeated “dead or alive” objectives in Afghanistan demonstrates the folly of this policy.

I want answers to the same questions, and Sens. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) and Daschle are responsible and courageous public servants for asking them.

Thomas Haskin

La Mesa

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Finally, Democrats in Congress are finding the courage to question President Bush’s overreaching and opportunistic defense policies. Daschle and others have raised tough questions about ever-widening military actions around the globe when we haven’t even finished our mission in Afghanistan. Naturally, the Republicans are trying to distract us from these questions by calling Daschle’s patriotism into doubt.

“How dare Sen. Daschle criticize President Bush while we are fighting our war on terrorism,” Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott fumes. It’s sad but true: Patriotism really is the last refuge of scoundrels.

Keith Sanders

Oakland

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I have two words for the Europeans who are whining that our war on terror has too much action and not enough diplo-plati-speak: Neville Chamberlain.

Arden Acord

La Crescenta

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If attacked, we will have to deal with our attackers, but if we are going to chase every possible terrorist in the world, we will be perpetually at war.

Jean Tracy

Oceanside