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Your report "TRUST ME, HE SAYS," about the President's confrontation with Iraq [ESSAY, Nov. 11], missed critical realities that George W. Bush understands. Naturally, a number of those who responded to TIME's poll have "some doubts and reservations" about Bush's leadership as we anticipate going to war. But this could simply mean that Americans see war as a regrettable necessity. The President has decided to plunge ahead because he believes we face a future menaced by frightening weapons brandished by brutal killers who have gone unchallenged and unchecked. It is not a matter of a new, Bush-style Manifest Destiny for a superpower that "obeys only the laws that suit it and respects only the nations that resemble it." It is a matter of giving subjugated peoples a voice and of safeguarding the future. THOMAS M. DORAN Plymouth, Mich.
As you noted, Bush's advisers talk of "transplanting democracy to a region where it has never taken root," jump-starting the Middle East peace process and sparking "an outbreak of secular prosperity." Though these things could make the soil of the Arab world less hospitable to the next generation of Osama bin Ladens, such a climate will not come about by further occupation of Arab lands by U.S. and other foreign forces. Instead of taking military steps, the U.S. should be playing an active, leading role as an honest and unbiased broker in the stalled Middle East peace process. That's what would help. OMAR MAHAYNI Farmington, Mich.
Bush promotes going to war in Iraq. I suppose he thinks it will get him re-elected in 2004. But how can people support this President? I am a senior citizen who has had to go back to work part time to help meet expenses. Bush doesn't back any of the things that would help senior citizens. He doesn't promote prescription-drug coverage under Medicare. The tax cuts Bush wants reduce the money available to finance programs that could help senior citizens. My tax refund was $56. Does anyone believe that it could help the economy grow or bounce back? Get serious, Mr. President. ANN H. SAXTON Louisville, Ky.
I have difficulty trusting the president when I see the war on terrorism losing its intensity in the international arena because of a lack of collective leadership. Even though the majority of the world is telling the U.S. its foreign policies contribute to terrorism, Americans bow to speculative assumptions to justify war on Iraq. Considering the American people's lack of knowledge of international affairs, it is understandable that they have accepted the Administration's military solution for Middle East problems. But I find it degrading to America and another reason for our allies to seriously question U.S. foreign policy. VIRGIL JONES Deerfield Beach, Fla.
Americans should ask themselves whether war with Iraq and the elimination of Saddam Hussein would change Islamic hatred of America. The answer is no; they would only intensify it. I agree with President Bush that terrorism must be eliminated, but not by going to war in Iraq. The U.S. and its allies must work in unison to improve security by setting up special antiterrorist task forces and infiltrating terrorist cells. This would be true leadership, and every peace-loving citizen of each supporting country would be in full agreement. PAUL J. MURPHY Grimsby, Ont.