Quotes of the Day
I find it peculiar that Dick Cheney — who has never seen a battlefield in his life — would characterize Scooter Libby's plight as leaving a soldier on the battlefield [Aug. 3]. During the G.W. Bush Administration, I was struck by the fervor for military action from an inner circle who had largely not served in the U.S. armed forces. The odd man out during the drumbeat for war was Colin Powell, whose long military career included serving in Vietnam and as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His voice of caution against entanglement in Iraq resulted in his getting pushed out by the "believers." It's too bad they didn't listen to the one man who knew what he was talking about.
Lieut. Commander Eric L. Jewett, U.S. NAVY (RET.), LOS GATOS, CALIF. U.S.
Great article. Please do more investigative journalism.
James B. Morin, GUASTI, CALIF., U.S.
Re your article on the final days of the Bush White House: I was dismayed by the incomplete retelling of the Scooter Libby-Valerie Plame investigation. A major reason Dick Cheney pushed for the pardon was that he was not the original leaker. That person, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, was not even mentioned in your article. No underlying national-security crime was committed by the accidental leak of Plame's name (as demonstrated by the lack of charges), and as such, Libby's perjury was ancillary to the investigation.
Gregory Eschbacher, FANWOOD, N.J., U.S.
It was very interesting to discover points of disagreement between Bush and Cheney and the mood in the White House at that time. However, I am slightly disturbed by your description of George W. Bush as a President who believed in fairness in the judicial system. His attitude toward Libby's pardon is strikingly different from the way matters such as interrogations and extraordinary renditions were dealt with during his term.
Naeem Meer, LE VESINET, FRANCE
Massimo Calabresi and Michael Weisskopf have hit a home run. Their article has humanized Bush by showing that he did have an independent, forthright side to him and, contrary to opinion, he was principled and respected the law. One wonders what sort of President he would have been if this sort of balanced thinking had been evident during his first term. People never gave Bush enough credit, and this article proves that.
Ufoma Joseph Immanuel, LONDON
Life, Liberty and a Dignified End
I thank you for your essay "Dying Together" [Aug. 3]. I find Sir Edward Downes' decision to end his life perfectly rational and objective. To live only because your heart and lungs still work seems to me an inadequate justification for longevity.
John Mulholland, ALPHARETTA, GA., U.S.
I guess the author is nowhere near the age at which death becomes real. Up to that point it's very easy to theorize; you don't have to make up your mind whether death is preferable to a life that offers nothing but mere existence. It's a tragedy that the discussion is governed by people who are not of an age to understand the scope of the problem. Nancy Gibbs will find out for herself when she gets there.
Alexander Reiter, KIRCHZARTEN, GERMANY
South African Policy
I found your coverage of the Zimbabwean situation informative but sad [Aug. 3]. The South African government could easily bring Mugabe into line instead of propping him up. Recall how Balthazar Johannes Vorster brought Ian Smith into line and forced a free and fair election. All authorities recognize the last Zimbabwean one wasn't, and yet Mugabe is still in a strong position of authority. Shame on you, South Africa!
Peter Graham, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
- Life, Liberty and a Dignified End; South African Policy