Letters

(2 of 4)

IT IS SHAMEFUL THAT U.S. VOTERS MUST make their decisions on the basis of lies, half-truths, accusations and innuendos. Our election process has turned into a dirty game. We have no confidence that our votes will even be counted. And we wonder why more citizens don't vote!
NANCY TYPER
Byron, Ill.

Why Are We in Iraq?

AS A SOLDIER'S MOTHER, I SAY BRING the troops home from Iraq now. The American public was deceived by the Bush Administration about the reasons for the invasion of Iraq [Sept. 27]. And now our leadership is stubbornly adhering to a destructive course. Many Americans do not want our troops there. They are stuck in a quagmire largely of our government's making. There ought to be honest and compelling reasons for the risks to our service members and for the hardships imposed on their families. The explanations given for the occupation of Iraq do not rise to that standard.
JOANN SOHL
Palisades Park, N.J.

BEFORE THE INVASION OF IRAQ, THE U.S. was facing a far more dangerous world than anyone could conceive of. The 9/11 attacks were proof of that. What if Saddam Hussein had paid terrorists to explode a nuclear bomb in New York City? Anyone who believes that was not possible does not understand that rich, powerful killers like Saddam and Osama bin Laden do not respond to moral persuasion, international sanctions or reasoned arguments based on civilized precepts.
PHILIP SCHOONMAKER
Springfield, Mo.

Political Reality or Fantasy?

JOE KLEIN'S COLUMN "BUSH'S IRAQ: A Powerful Fantasy" [Sept. 27] was accurate and frightening. It was scary not because President Bush is living in a fantasy world but because so many Americans are blindly following him. The Republican strategy to win this election is to incessantly spread fear. From NASCAR dads to security moms, the consensus seems to be that they don't care whether Bush is lying to them. They will wrap themselves in that dishonesty like a security blanket because they want to feel safe. If parents want to truly protect their children, however, they should start acting like responsible adults and demand answers that have a basis in reality.
SANDRA BASILE
Barnegat, N.J.

THIS ELECTION IS NOT ABOUT ASSIGNING blame but about who can best lead and protect the country going forward. Americans are aware all is not perfect in Iraq, but we also know where Bush stands and that he will at least confront threats to the U.S. What would Kerry have done in response to 9/11? Kerry's problem is not that Bush has fooled the American people with some fantasy but that most voters don't want to take a chance on Kerry.
BOB FERNSTROM
Hong Kong

To Withstand the Wind

AFTER READING ABOUT THE DAMAGE THAT recent hurricanes have caused in Florida and other coastal states [Sept. 27], I think we should set up stricter building codes in hurricane-prone areas. Those who wish to live in Hurricane Alley need to build houses that are more wind- and water-resistant so my tax dollars don't have to subsidize federal insurance for their beachfront housing.
DOBB MAYO
Holland, Mich.

I FEEL IMMENSE SORROW FOR THE HURricane victims in our coastal areas. I was stationed on the island of Okinawa in Japan for three years. The island regularly got hit with typhoons that caused only minimal damage. We did not evacuate; we had typhoon parties inside our houses and rode the storms out. Our structures were made of steel-reinforced concrete and had metal protection for the windows. The U.S. government should require stricter building codes in hurricane areas if inhabitants want continued monetary assistance from the U.S. government after a hurricane.
DAVID HOWARD
Raymore, Mo.